Oct 23, 2013
Slow Cooker SeasonBy pmihalek

While my Mom currently texts me with “chilly” and “rainy” forecast updates from Cleveland, we’re right at that time of year here in Phoenix when you start to understand why people live here. The norm lately has been sunny days in the low 80s and starry nights in the upper 50s. Today we’re expecting a high of 95 and I’m sure by the time I get home my raised bed of butter lettuce will be a wilted sight for sore eyes.

Last weekend we visited our local SummerWinds Nursery. There I found out that our lettuce (among plenty of other cold crops) will be perfectly happy on our patio from now until next spring. Needless to say, we’ll be back throughout the season buying more seeds, more soil and more containers.

You know what I’m missing, though? Recipes. Hearty family recipes in and around the edibles I’m shopping from. From herbs to root vegetables, now’s the time of year to pull out the slow cooker for some classic family recipes. Being a locally-owned, family business, how often do you share those time-tested beloved family recipes in your sales materials. Referencing grandma’s famous (fill in the blank) doesn’t get more inspiring and local than that.

Keep’em Comin’

Help me plan my trip. I’ll be in the Greater L.A. Area in early November (4-6) to check out how fall and holiday garden center retail is done on the West Coast. Whether you’re a Californian or just a frequent visitor, I’m looking for your insight on some must-stops. Whether it’s an urban garden center, great donut shop or sprawling nursery, please help me round out my itinerary. Email me with your best trip tips.

Enthusiastically,
Pete


pmihalek