Our garden in the San Francisco Bay Area historically has experienced the wet mild winters and dry mild summers characteristic of Mediterranean climates. It's a modest family garden -- its core was formerly a swimming pool -- so we might grow a single plant or a handful of plants, where a larger-scale operation could do long rows or massive beds. Over time we have adjusted to find the right balance for our garden.
On Top
All this new stuff goes on top turn it over, turn it over wait and water down from the dark bottom turn it inside out let it spread through Sift down even Watch it sprout. A mind like compost.
As it's evolved, this site has increasingly focused on vita plantae in the San Francisco Bay Area, so I've rejiggered this blog to reflect that. You will still find plenty of more general posts on life by the bay. Visit the site home or try one of these:
Today’s fluid delight is something I’m calling a Neap Tide. Neap tides are when the difference between high and low is the least. Steady as she goes. (And…
“All bitters are aromatic,” according to Mark Bitterman in his Field Guide to Bitters and Amari, “but the ones that are called aromatic are so jam-packed with aromas, bitterness,…
The first question about making vermouth, I suppose, is why?* It’s a two-part question, really. Why vermouth? And why homemade? Vermouth is a fortified wine flavored with fruits…
I love ginger beer — “vigorous reviving stuff with an edge to it,” in the judgment of Kingsley Amis. But the commercial kinds can be expensive. What’s more, home-made…
It’s summertime, which means it’s time for a refreshing spritz, the signature drink of northern Italy. And while we’re at it, let’s repost this fun video, Fame un…
While we’re on the subject of bitters, it’s worth taking note of their health benefits, which include moderating blood sugar, improving digestion, and I think immortality–though I understand…
For my next two batches of bitters I followed a base herbal bitters recipe from Mark Bitterman. He uses three bittering agents in his herbal bitters: I tsp…
Bitters are handy in cocktails and cooking — or even to just flavor water for drinking. This is my first batch of bitters, and the result is satisfying.
Making your own bitters means you have control over the ingredients. Most of mine come from the garden and are organic.