The World's Fair of People Who Make

Went to an amazing event this past weekend at the New York Hall of Science in NYC.
Dreamed up by the mad scientists behind 
Make Magazine, Maker Faire was a whole weekend
of larger than life creations brought together by engineers, artists, crafters, tinkerers and scientists. Extremely cool.

One great idea that incorporates innovative concepts is the The Windowfarms Project.
It allows city dwellers to grow food in their apartments year-round and channels their experience into research for the future of urban agriculture. Thousands of participants are building these compact vertical hydroponic gardens in windows around the world, proposing and testing design modifications, and experimenting with different veggies and nutrients.
It's R&DIY...  Research and Develop It Yourself!

For more info or to purchase a kit go to Windowfarms.org

- Photographed at Makers Faire NYC

What's Happening in the Garden Today?

Gardens can appear in the most unlikely places.

When you order a drink, it should not only taste good, but also look good. That being said, a good garnish will never improve a bad drink. Simple, logical, and fresh. The perfect reward at the end of a long, hot day of weeding or mulch-spreading. Another delicious way of bringing
the outdoors in. Salute!

From Garden to Table

My very generous friend Marjorie dropped off a glut of cucumbers recently. I welcomed them with open arms. In fact, I needed both to hoist them. We’re not talking gherkins here, these were cucumber blimps. Torpedos. One was at least 16” and the rest not much smaller. I stared at the pile and debated what to do with them.

A simple salad of fresh tomato, red onion, and balsamic vinaigrette is always a delicious and refreshing way to serve cukes, but that would only take care of one of the huge specimens lurking on the counter. These monsters were too huge for pickles. Even my beloved tzatziki wouldn’t make a dent in my mountain of Cucumis sativus! What to do, what to do? As I also have a plethora of mint constantly threatening to invade, it was decided.

This recipe is easy, refreshing, and the slight kick from the mustard complements the crisp, creamy flavors.

Easy Cold Cucumber & Mint Soup
(Adjust recipe accordingly for cucumber blimps.)

4 (normal) cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 cup non-fat plain yogurt
1 cup light sour cream
3/4 teaspoon high quality, dry mustard, or to taste
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

In a blender puree all ingredients. Taste to adjust flavors. Chill soup overnight to let flavors blend. Serve cold with a mint sprig for garnish.

- Adapted from Gourmet

Chew on This

It takes about seven gallons of water to grow a single serving of lettuce. Roughly 2,600 gallons are required to produce one portion of steak.

- The Curious Gardener’s Almanac