Chicken Breasts with Parsley Chive Pesto

Posted by hpotterblog on March 25th, 2010in Gardening Products, Patti Bess, Recipes | No Comments

By Patti Bess

Weather is not the only thing turning milder this time of year. As tender spring vegetables and herbs mature in my garden and begin to appear in markets; winter cravings for bold, spicy dishes gives way to quieter longings.

Spring produce begs for simpler, more delicate preparations—that’s where chicken comes in. Topped with chive and parsley pesto, this simple-to-prepare entrée is perfect for guests or a quiet evening at home.

Parsley and chives in the kitchen garden are as much a welcome call to spring as daffodils in the flower beds.

I especially like having parsley in the garden as it is so convenient to pick a few sprigs for a dish instead of running to the market for a bunch that will mostly migrate to the rear of refrigerator and be forgotten.

Basil pesto is a staple on the summer menu, but it can be made with other herbs as well. This spritely flavored parsley and chive pesto adds a little zing to your chicken. Pair it with a herbaceous white wine and roasted asparagus, or a beet and fennel salad.

These simple gifts from the garden (and at the dinner table) make me shout, “Ain’t life grand?”

Chicken Breasts with Parsley Chive Pesto

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4-6 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup firmly packed chopped parsley
1/2 cup chopped chives or green onions
1/4 cup walnuts
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons white wine or broth
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Generously salt and pepper the chicken. Brown it in a fry pan on medium heat, about 3 minutes per side. Remove from stove and set aside.

Add all remaining ingredients to a blender or food processor. Pulse several times to blend but not completely puree.

Add a dollop on each chicken breast, cover, and simmer on low until chicken is moist and tender. Serves 3 and can easily be doubled for guests.

Don’t miss one of Patti’s recipes! For a free RSS or email subscription to this blog go to the upper-right section of the sidebar. Your email address will not be shared.

Best Terrarium Plants — Matching the Microclimates of Terrariums

Posted by on March 23rd, 2010in Cloche, Gardening Products, Terrarium, Tovah Martin, Wardian case | 1 Comment

By Tovah Martin, author of The New Terrarium

Choose the right plants for your terrarium

The key to success with terrariums and Wardian cases lies in matching the right plants with your mini-world.

A happy marriage between plants and a terrarium can lead to a relationship that lives happily ever after. A terrarium provides very specific growing conditions.

Fill a terrarium with plants that will thrive in its humid, tropical mini-ecosystem

Even open-topped terrariums tend to be much more humid than your average container. The glass (or acrylic) sides add moisture to the ecosystem within – and that trait is what makes a terrarium so delightfully low-maintenance.

Sun in terrariums

All plant-filled terrariums need to grown in indirect light, especially if they’re closed or partially closed. When direct sunbeams fall on the glass, the insides can bake – frying all the little plants inside (think of a closed car in a sunny parking lot).

So you want to fill your small world with plants that thrive in shady, moist conditions. Ferns, most orchids, begonias, peperomias, members of the African violet family, and many other plants (see the list below) love living in a terrarium.

However, sun-worshippers and plants that prefer arid conditions won’t thrive in a terrarium over the long haul. Unfortunately, cacti and succulents, alpines, geraniums, most herbs (mints being a possible exception) and any other similar plants fail to live long in a terrarium, even though they might be the right size for the space.

Small-size plants for a terrarium

Speaking of size, that’s another issue to keep firmly in mind when selecting plants for a terrarium. In general, the ideal plants for terrariums are in the “little league.”

They should remain diminutive throughout their lifespan. You might want to check with the experts at your local nursery before purchasing a plant. Make sure it isn’t bound to be a jolly green giant eventually. After all, even the mighty oak starts life as a tiny acorn.

However, many plants can be pruned and groomed to remain suitable for your terrarium or Wardian case’s dimensions.

Terrariums can live happily ever after

When you find the right plants for your mini-space, your small world will perk along beautifully. Not only will it rarely require your care and remain trouble-free, but your crystal kingdom will be a pleasure to behold. Can you think of a more fulfilling package?

A Short list of Terrarium Plants

• Rhizomatous begonias (miniature)
• Rex begonias (miniature)
• Cane begonias (miniature)
• Selaginella mosses of all types
• Members of the African violet family such as:
• Chirita
• African violets
• Streptocarpus
• Sinningia pusilla
• Episcia
• Ivies (miniature)
• Muehlenbeckia complexa
• Peperomia
• Miniature ferns
• Miniature orchids
• Paphiopedalum
• Masdavallia
• Bromeliads
• Ficus pumila & baby’s tears
• Tetranema (Mexican foxglove)
• Carnivorous plants
• Viola hederacea
• Marantas
• Neoregelia
• Pilea
• Artillery plants
• Coleus
• Fittonia (nerve plants)
• Cyclamen
• Violas
• Mini hostas
• Helxine (baby’s tears)

Use these plant suggestions when you’re designing any covered garden. For more tips, see my posts on how to plant a glass cloche, and how to plant a terrarium or Wardian case. Watch the new video about a favorite H. Potter terrarium,

Don’t miss any of Tovah’s expert advice on terrariums! For a free RSS or email subscription to this blog go to the upper-right section of the sidebar. Your email address will not be shared.

How to Plant a Terrarium

Posted by on March 19th, 2010in Cloche, Gardening Products, Terrarium, Tovah Martin, Wardian case | No Comments

By Tovah Martin, author of The New Terrarium

The New Terrarium is a new gardening classic.

 

Your terrarium beckons

Welcome to the small world enclosed in glass.

And a small world is exactly what you’re going to be creating when you plant a terrarium or Wardian case.

Of course, terrariums come in many different shapes and sizes, and you’ll need to adjust this procedure to suit your specific mini-environment.

Preparing terrariums

Wearing gloves (and keeping them on throughout the planting process), spread a layer of 3/8 inch river stone or pebbles on the bottom of your terrarium or Wardian case.

Using horticultural charcoal pieces, add a heaping teaspoon (or more, if you’ve got a large surface to cover) to the pebbles and mix pebbles and charcoal thoroughly together and make it roughly level.

On top of that layer, add a 2 – 2 ½ inch layer of pre-moistened (not drenched, but lightly moistened) African violet potting soil or any light potting soil.

Planting your terrarium

Dig a hole in the soil sufficiently large to receive your plant.

Insert the plant into the hole and firm it in all around, making certain that all the roots are well-covered with soil – just as you would do in the garden outdoors. (Hint:  If you tug lightly on the plant and it is easily pulled up, it isn’t planted firmly enough).

Continue to insert each plant by using the same procedure, don’t crowd the plants – we’ll be talking about designing a terrarium in future blogs.

Watering rules for glass terrariums

When the terrarium is completely planted, water it lightly with a watering can (Do Not Mist!) and put on the lid. Condensation is normal, and should not be wiped off.

Place your terrarium in a window that enjoys indirect light indoors.

It’s as simple as that!  For further maintenance, I suggest ventilating every two weeks or so, airing out the terrarium for a few hours.  Then close up the terrarium.

If condensation forms on the glass, it’s good to go on autopilot for another couple of weeks (monitor it for dryness during that time).

If no condensation forms on the glass after it’s been ventilated, open it and water lightly with a watering can (I repeat: Do Not Mist!), then close it up.

Terrariums don’t need fertilizer – after all, you want your small world to remain small.

Stay tuned for advice on selecting Wardian cases and terrariums, as well as hints on choosing plants, and long-term maintenance secrets.

Watch the new video about a favorite H. Potter terrarium.

Don’t miss any of Tovah’s expert advice on terrariums! For a free RSS or email subscription to this blog go to the upper-right section of the sidebar. Your email address will not be shared.

A Copper Window Box that Says Spring!

Posted by admin on March 18th, 2010in Charlotte Germane, Copper Window Box, Gardening Products, Window Boxes | No Comments

By Charlotte Germane, Editor, H. Potter Knowledge blog 2010-2011

Spring Copper Window Box

Are you still shoveling snow? Or shaking your fist at the gray skies? 

This bright copper window box with its trio of flowers is guaranteed to cheer you up and assure you that spring is here.

Daffodils, pansies and rock cress are comfortable with the early spring weather in most of the country (USDA zones 3-8, find your zone here). All these flowers should be waiting for you at your local garden center.

• Classic yellow trumpet daffodil, Narcissus ‘Dutch Master’

• Pansy, Viola cornuta ‘Sorbet™ Beaconsfield’

• Rock cress, Arabis caucasica ‘Snowcap’

The energy of this floral group comes from the mix of colors. The yellow daffodils and blue-violet pansies have intense hues. The foaming white flowers of rock cress pack a punch—white always calls attention to itself. The yellow daffodils echo the warm color of the H. Potter copper window box and the blue-violet pansies complement the copper

This collection of flowers wants full sun or part-sun. Plant them in window boxes on the south and west sides of your house.

These spring blooms will dress up your home, delight your neighbors, and gladden the hearts of dog-walkers. The view from inside your house, looking out through the yellow daffodil petals, will be an unexpected pleasure.

Spring window box flowers through the seasons

The plants can move into your flowerbeds when you change your window box display

• Buy blooming daffodils in pots and place the pots inside the window box. When the flowers fade you can choose to save the bulbs for planting in your garden. To do so, remove the potted daffodils to a sunny spot, snip off the spent flowers, and water the plants until the foliage turns brown. Store the daffodil bulbs for fall planting, following the advice of the American Daffodil Society.

• Pansies are short-lived perennials and will persist until the weather warms up. Plant them in part-sun.

• Rock cress is perennial in USDA zones 3-9. Plant it in your garden when you’re ready for a new window box design. If you have hot summers, keep the rock cress out of afternoon sun. Prune after flowering and divide it every two years.

Watch a new video of this copper window box and see if it’s the right one for you.

Welcome to H. Potter Knowledge

Posted by admin on March 18th, 2010in Gardening Products | No Comments

H. Potter has been bringing you unique garden products for over a decade. Recently featured in Lucky magazine, the terrariums are one of our hottest products during this season.

At H. Potter Knowledge we offer you a wealth of information to enhance life in your home and garden. Created by a group of internationally-known lifestyle writers, the blog brings you the latest “knowledge” in our specialty areas.

Think of us as your personal team of garden, food and entertaining professionals–helping you design indoor terrarium gardens, grow elegant and yummy edible plants outdoors, and prepare easy, stylish meals with your own fruits and vegetables.

Do you want the extra dimension that takes your life from fine to fabulous?

Bookmark H. Potter Knowledge and taste the pleasures of life with us.

This spring you can:

• learn how to plant a terrarium (the perfect year-round gift)

• serve up an early spring pesto

• celebrate the season with your window boxes

• create garden rooms with vine-covered gazebos

• grow baby greens—as a design statement and a salad

Just who are we?

Tovah Martin, prominent garden author, brings practical ideas and artistic expertise from her latest book, The New Terrarium.

Patti Bess, author of Vegetarian Barbecue, hosts a radio show on all aspects of food and cooking, teaches classes, and develops recipes. She’s got great spring dishes planned.

Charlotte Germane is a Master Gardener who blogs at Dirt du Jour: Northern California. She’ll show you how to dress up your garden with edible landscaping, colorful vines, and the hot new plants your neighbors don’t know about.

Come plant, cook and enjoy spring with us!

New Decade

Posted by hpotterblog on January 3rd, 2010in Gardening Products | No Comments

It’s the dawn of a new decade and H. Potter is joining the world of blogging, Facebook and Twitter.

Looking for a unique garden product? We’ve got it.

More to come…