Mid- to late summer is prime time for gardeners — a last chance to grow a second batch of fresh vegetables before the plant-killing frosts arrive. Add a few protective enclosures, such as cold frames, overhead sheets and hoops, and the harvest can be extended until Thanksgiving and beyond.
"The goal is to have fully grown, ready-to-pick plants that basically store themselves in the garden throughout the fall, so you can pick them as you need them over a long, sustained garden season," said Renee Shepherd, founder of Renee's Garden Seeds in Felton, Calif.
You can plant many of the cool-weather crops from seed if you time it properly, she said. That means choosing fast-maturing varieties that can develop ahead of the average date for the first hard frost.
Think ahead though, because many nurseries close or have picked-over inventories.
Life
Second-season gardens sprout late-season crops
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Priest uses big rig to make special deliveries
Father Ray Cotter delivers more than sermons. Two weeks ago, the former truck truck driver turned priest drove a semi-tractor-trailer rig to Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., to pick up 1,164 free military computers for use in Michigan Catholic schools in the dioceses of Lansing, Saginaw, Gaylord and Marquette.
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Mental Wellness: Dealing with difficult people
There was a time when I really enjoyed conflict. I don’t mean between people, but I felt like social change almost always happened when people stood up for their beliefs. This also was during a period in my life when my hair was dyed like a leopard.
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Body & Soul in Brief: 05/18/2013
Lupus meeting; cancer survivor picnic; Lyme disease support group; and more.
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Area Blood Drives: 05/18/2013
Find a blood drive in the area:
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You're Needed: 05/18/2013
Organizers of the Art Rapids! fair to be held in June in Elk Rapids are seeking host families for some of the artists who will be participating in the event.
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Perspectives: Structuring a balanced life as we age
Whether we realize it or not, we all live within “structure.” Sometimes it becomes too limiting or too confining. This can be physical, emotional and spiritual.
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Claudia Schmidt comes home to Sleder's
Claudia Schmidt will perform in an “On the Porch” concert at Sleder’s Family Tavern on Sunday, May 19.
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Health Newsmakers: 05/18/2013
In June, Barbara McIntyre, Ph.D., ATR-BC, LPC, will present the paper “Grief Expression and Healing Through Art” at the 44th annual American Art Therapy Conference in Seattle.
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Community Newsmakers: 05/18/2013
David Barr and Beth Dwaihy-Barr will be honored at the Legacy Gala on Saturday, June 15 at the Novi Civic Center in Novi.
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Community in Brief: 05/18/2013
Moyers' interview on climate; Short's kick-off party; chamber music on IPR; and more.
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Education Newsmakers: 05/18/2013
TC Central High School Freshman, Taylor Weckstein, has been named Distinguished Finalist in the 2013 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards in Michigan for the creation of her charitable organization Giving 1 Family at a Time (G.1.F.T).
Continued ... - Friday, May 17, 2013
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Couple's film focuses on Latin American coffee farmers
Have you ever taken a moment to consider where your morning cup of java comes from?
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Papa Roach is still swingin'
Papa Roach is still producing hit songs. It’s just getting harder and harder to get radio stations to play them.
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One-woman show helps gardens
Emily Dickinson, one of America’s earliest poets, died in 1886. She comes to life this weekend in the acclaimed one-woman play, “Belle of Amherst,” performed by professional actress Sinda Nichols.
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Weekend in Brief: 05/17/2013
Do the BBQ; Benzie Players; Garage sale. (Plus more)
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Movie Capsules: 05/17/2013
New this week — Star Trek Into Darkness: After the crew of the Enterprise finds an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction.
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Night Life Calendar: 05/17/2013
What's going on after the sun goes down:
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Community in Brief: 05/17/2013
Travelogue; Kids' Creative Expo; native plant sale; and more.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 16, 2013
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Asparagus stars at Empire fest
There will be asparagus in the beer and the bratwursts and the soups and the sandwiches at the 10th annual Empire Asparagus Festival Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18.
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Morels bring three generations together
If you’re one of those people who couldn’t spot a morel if it walked up and tapped you on the shoulder, this will make you eat your heart out.
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Recipe of the Week: Easy Pepperoni Pizza
I am an unabashed fan of Tiseo’s frozen pizza dough. It’s made right here in Michigan and available for around $1.49 to $1.79 in many grocery stores.
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Food in Brief: 05/16/2013
New cookbook; Berry facts.
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Intentional Minimalist: Quinoa with white wine and herbs
This recipe features local produce from 9 Bean Rows Farm, Spring Hollow Farm and locally produced products from Black Star Farms and Eden Foods.
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Pasta carbonara remade as delicious summer salad
We borrowed the key ingredients from pasta carbonara, but remade them as a picnic-worthy pasta salad.
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Full-fat cheese secret to healthy quesadilla
I discovered that it doesn’t take a ton of cheese to flavor — and glue together — the fillings of a quesadilla. as long as you use full-fat cheese.
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Priest uses big rig to make special deliveries



