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I"don’t"know"about"y’all,"but"I"watch"a"lot"of"Food" Network."I"don’t"do"much"cooking"(though"at"least"twice"a"month" I"get"an"urge"to"bake"at"about"11:00"at"night),"but"I"absorb"as" much"as"I"can"just"in"case"I"want"to"whip"up"a"Cornish"hen"or"a" corn"cake"for"a"midnight"snack!"" One"of"the"key"points"to"cooking"that"I"picked"up"on"is" that"a"lot"of"us"amateurs"tend"to"err"on"the"side"of"“less"is"more”" in"the"case"of"most"seasoning."Now,"there"is"such"a"thing"as"too" much"salt"(who"wants"to"feel"like"they’re"eating"the"Atlantic" Ocean"at"the"dinner"table?),"but"the"entire"purpose"of"adding" herbs"and"spices"is"to"enhance"and"deepen"flavors."Hence"why" you’ll"find"a"pinch"of"salt"in"some"cookie"recipes."It"helps"bring" out"sweetness"in"a"way"that"doesn’t"make"your"desserts"cloying."" But"not"using"enough"of"these"seasonings"means"your" food"turns"out"flavorless"or"oneLnote"(think"of"plain"Vienna" sausages"that"sat"in"a"can"of"salt"brine"for"a"month"before"you"ate"it),"and"no"one"wants"that!" The"other"thing"I"learned"is"that"there"are"what"seems"like"1.8"million"different"seasoning"options" aside"from"table"salt"and"black"pepper."In"traditional"Southern"cooking,"the"recipes"don’t"seem"to"offer" much"in"the"way"of"flavoring"from"herbs"and"spices"outside"of"those"two"and"sugar."Now,"some"of"us" might"blame"that"on"a"certain"war"when"such"spices"were"not"making"their"way"below"the"MasonLDixon" because"of"blockades,"but"regardless"of"that"theory"…"I"don’t"think"I"knew"what"plant"paprika"came"from" until"last"week,"and"I"am"sure"I’m"not"the"only"one!"(It’s"from"a"chili"pepper,"FYI.)" Though"there’s"nothing"wrong"with"adding"salt"and"pepper"to"everything"in"your"recipe" repertoire,"we"wanted"to"gear"this"issue"on"helping"y’all"expand"your"warm"circle"to"include"things"like" lavender,"rosemary"and"mints."We"sat"down"with"a"couple"of"Georgia’s"herb"farmers"to"learn"about"their" crops"and"how"y’all"can"take"what"they"do"and"replicate"it"on"a"smaller"level"in"your"garden."" Then"there"are"some"artisan"spicemakers"who"we"wanted"to"introduce"to"y’all."These"folks"take" the"fresh"ingredients"from"herb"growers"and"create"spice"blends"and"seasonings"that"are"sure"to"take" your"traditional"Southern"dishes"to"a"whole"new"level"of"flavor"and"depth!"" Also"this"month,"we’re"swinging"down"to"Griffin"for"y’all"to"meet"Scott"NeSmith,"the"man"behind" Georgia’s"blueberry"industry."You"may"have"heard"that"Georgia"eclipsed"every"other"state"in"blueberry" production,"so"here"is"the"scientist"himself"who"made"it"possible!"He"even"so"kindly"shared"a"family" blueberry"recipe"with"us,"which"we"suspect"tastes"best"when"made"with"GeorgiaLgrown"blueberries."To" find"Georgia"blueberries"near"you,"we"recommend"visiting"the"Georgia"Grown"website"from"the"state" Department"of"Agriculture."There’s"a"helpful"search"feature"that"will"take"care"of"you!" And"finally,"meet"this"year’s"Flavor"of"Georgia"winner,"Amanda"Wilbanks"of"Southern"Baked"Pie" Company"in"Gainesville."She’s"just"as"sweet"and"vibrant"as"her"baked"treats"and"we’re"honored"to"be" able"to"share"her"story."" " Y’all"read"up"—"
Dallas Anne Duncan " 2! !
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" A#Blue#State"" by'Katie'Thigpen'Chapman"………………………."5"
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Herb#Harvesters" by'Dallas'Duncan"……………..……………………."6"
" " BLOOM" " # Batty#for#Blooms#by'Dallas'Duncan"…….……………."9"
FOUNDER#&#EDITOR#IN#CHIEF# Dallas"Duncan"
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FOR#ADDITIONAL#ART,#THE#STAFF# WOULD#LIKE#TO#THANK# Merritt"Melancon,"University"of"Georgia"College"of" Agricultural"and"Environmental"Sciences;" Bugwood.org;"Dave"Legasse,"The"Salt"Table" " DESIGN# Dallas"Duncan" " SUBSCRIPTIONS# Please"visit"www.agriCULTUREmagazine.net"to" subscribe."Subscription"rate,"$30"per"year." " QUESTIONS# contact.agriCULTUREmagazine@gmail.com" " Y’ALL#STOP#ON#BY#
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Gifts#from#the#Herb#Garden" by'Katie'Thigpen'Chapman"…………………….."10"
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" CONTRIBUTING#WRITERS# Katie"Thigpen"Chapman"
" " CHEW" " Cooking#for#Agriculture#2"" by'Dallas'Duncan"……………………………..……"13" "
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" www.facebook.com/agriCULTUREmagazineUS"
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MAKE" " Season’s#Greetings"" by'Dallas'Duncan"………………………………….."15" #
Sweet#as#Pie"by'Dallas'Duncan"……….................."16" " " LIVE" " Monthly#Calendar"…..…………………………………."20" "
aCm’s#10#MustDHave#Monograms#for#Summer"" by'Dallas'Duncan"………………………………….."23" "
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" @agriCULTUREzine" " @agriCULTUREzine" " Published"by"Dallas"Anne"Duncan"LLC,"Atlanta" PRINTED"IN"THE"USA"by"ModernLitho" 6009"Stetzer"Road" Jefferson"City,"Missouri"65101" # Cover:#A"peppery"blend,"lavender"and"rosemary"salts" are"three"of"the"varieties"made"by"Beautiful"Briny"Sea" in"Atlanta."Each"is"labeled"with"suggested"meat," vegetable"and"fruit"choices"to"help"Georgians"learn" how"to"best"cook"with"these"types"of"seasonings." Photo'|'Dallas'Duncan"
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" " " Summer"squash"(40"to"55"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"" " Going#in#the#Ground# April"1"and"May"15,"one"to"two"inches"down;"Spacing:"" "" 36"by"24"inches" Bush"beans"(50"to"60"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"Mar."" " Sweet"potatoes"(90"to"120"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"" 25"and"May"1,"one"to"1.5"inches;"Spacing:"36"by"two"to" " " April"15"and"June"15;"Spacing:"36"by"12"inches" four"inches" Tomatoes"(70"to"90"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"March"" " Bell"peppers"(65"to"80"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"April"" "
25"and"May"1;"Spacing:"48"by"24"inches" Watermelon"(80"to"90"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"" March"20"and"May"1,"one"to"two"inches;"Spacing:"72"" by"36"to"48"inches" Winter"squash"(85"to"100"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"" April"1"and"July"1,"one"to"two"inches"down;"Spacing:"60"" by"36"inches"
1"and"June"1;"Spacing:"36"by"24"inches" Butterpeas"(70"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"April"1"and"" May"1,"one"to"1.5"inches"down;"Spacing:"36"by"three"" to"four"inches" Cantaloupe"(80"to"90"days"‘til"maturity)"|Plant"between"March"" 20"and"June"20,"one"inch"down;"Spacing:"60"by"36"" inches" Corn,"both"yellow"and"white"(65"to"90"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"" between"March"15"and"June"1,"one"to"1.5"inches;"" Spacing:"36"by"12"to"18"inches" Hot"peppers"(65"to"95"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"April"" 1"and"June"1;"Spacing:"36"by"24"inches" Lima"beans"(65"to"75"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"March"" 15"and"June"1,"inch"to"1.5"inches"down;"Spacing:"36"by"" two"to"four"inches" Okra"(55"to"65"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"April"1"and"" June"1,"one"inch"down;"Spacing:"36"by"12"inches" Pole"beans"(65"to"75"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"March"" 15"and"May"20,"one"to"1.5"inches;"Spacing:"36"by"four"" to"12"inches" Pole"lima"beans"(80"to"85"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"" March"15"and"June"1,"one"to"1.5"inches;"Spacing:"36"by" six"to"eight"inches" Southern"peas"(60"to"70"days"‘til"maturity)"|"Plant"between"" April"1"and"Aug."10,"one"to"two"inches"down;"Spacing:"" 36"by"three"to"four"inches"
Source:'University'of'Georgia'Cooperative'Extension'
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Ripe#for#the#Pickin’#
" Asparagus"" Basil" " Beets" " Broccoli" " Cabbage"" Carrots" " Collards" " Cucumbers" Field"peas" Irish"potatoes" Kale" " Lettuce" " Lima"beans"
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Mustard"greens" Nectarines" Okra" Onions" Peaches" Pole"beans" Snap"beans" Summer"squash" Strawberries" Sweet"corn" Tomatoes" Turnip"greens" Vidalia"Onions" Sources:'Georgia'Grown'and'PickYourOwn.org"
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COMING#NEXT#MONTH:# "
*"Did"you"know?"Griffin"used"to"be"the"Pimento"Capital"of"the"World!" ""
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*"Spend"a"day"at"Southern"Swiss"Dairy"in"Waynesboro"
*"PLUS:"agSPROUTS’"summer"issue"—"Michelle"Obama"visits"Burke"County"Middle"" """School;"4LH"poultry"judging;"a"little"about"dairy"cattle"breeds"and"more!" !
DON’T FORGET TO …
4! !
Got"a"question"for"our"grow"experts,"who"represent" farmers"and"Extension?"Submit"your"question"online"at" www.agriCULTUREmagazine.net,"or"email"it"to"us" directly"at"contact.agriculturemagazine@gmail.com" with"the"subject"line"“Ask"the"Experts:"grow.”"
In"2014,"Georgia"took"the"lead"in"blueberry"production"for"the" United" States." This" title" was" achieved" by" the" hard" work" of" Georgia" growers" and" scientists" like" Scott" NeSmith" of" the" University" of" Georgia" Horticulture"Department."" NeSmith" began" his" work" in" agriculture" studying" agronomy" at" Abraham"Baldwin"Agricultural"College"before"completing"his"Bachelor"of" Science"in"Agriculture"at"the"University"of"Georgia.""" “I"was"always"interested"in"agriculture"and"farming,”"he"says." An" interest" in" blueberries" did" not" develop" until" NeSmith" returned"to"Georgia"in"1991"after"completing"his"Ph.D."at"Michigan"State" University."Soon"after"beginning"his"work"at"the"UGA"Griffin"campus,"he" developed"a"passion"for"blueberries.""" “When"I"came"in,"in"1990"there"was"kind"of"limited"work"going" on"in"blueberries."The"crop"was"up"and"coming."I"gradually"started"doing" some"projects"with"blueberries"and"took"over"the"breeding"program"in" 1997,”"NeSmith"says." The" UGA" Blueberry" Breeding" Program" began" in" 1945" with" Thomas"Brightwell"blazing"the"trail"for"research"in"Georgia."TwentyLfive" acres" of" land" in" Alapaha" were" set" aside" for" blueberry" cultivar" development,"NeSmith"says." “Fruit" quality" is" improving," shelf" life," flavor" and" consumer" eating"experience"is"improving"as"a"result"of"research,”"NeSmith"says."“It" takes"12"to"14"years"to"get"a"new"blueberry"variety"on"average.”" Breeding"plants"that"suit"varying"weather"conditions"is"another" focus"of"the"program."Production"is"focused"in"south"Georgia"due"to"the" warmer" weather" conditions." Developing" plants" that" can" survive" lower" temperatures" and" a" later" spring" frost" is" helpful" for" north" Georgia" gardeners"hoping"to"grow"blueberries"at"home,"NeSmith"says." Because" blueberries" are" largely" machine" harvested," selecting" for" heartier" and" firmer" berries" is" important." Catering" to" consumer" preference" to" produce" delicious" and" juicy" berries" with" good" texture" is" increasingly"a"focus"of"the"breeding"program.""" “People"eat"blueberries"because"they"are"healthy,"but"we"want" them"to"eat"them"because"they"like"them,”"NeSmith"says." Each" year," they" eat" 430" million" pounds" of" the" fruit," according" to"the"US"Department"of"Agriculture." According" to" the" Georgia" Fruit" and" Vegetable" Growers" Association," blueberries" are" high" in" antioxidants" and" low" in" calories" while" providing" many" of" the" vitamins" and" minerals" Georgians" need." Blueberries"also"contain"one"of"the"highest"iron"concentrations"found"in" fruits"grown"in"the"North"American"climate." NeSmith" is" quick" to" explain" that" the" success" of" blueberries" in" Georgia" is" a" team" approach." In" addition" to" horticulturists" like" NeSmith" working" in" breeding," family" and" consumer" science" researchers" explore" health" benefits" of" the" fruit" and" food" scientists" play" a" role" in" manufacturing"the"product.""
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University of Georgia horticulture researcher Scott NeSmith introduced farmers to the ‘Krewer’ blueberry in 2015. The ‘Krewer’ is named for a fellow blueberry pioneer, horticulturalist Gerard Krewer. Photo | Merritt Melancon, UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The" research" paid" off:" before" being" No." 1" in" 2014," Georgia" generally" ranked" around" the" top" five" spots"in"acreage"and"production"each"year." According"to"the"2014"UGA"Farm"Gate"Report" —"the"most"recent"numbers"available"as"of"press"time" —" Bacon" County" alone" produced" 29.3" percent" of" the" entire" Georgia" blueberry" crop." Altogether" Georgia" growers" produced" 28,643" acres" of" blueberries" that" year,"valued"at"more"than"$335"million." "“Once"I"got"involved"in"the"breeding"program" after" coming" to" UGA" it" was" a" natural" thing" to" keep" going." The" blueberry" growers" were" so" supportive" of" my"work,”"he"says."—#aCm' ' Turn'to'page'12'to'see'how'NeSmith'recommends'y’all' prepare'Georgia'blueberries.' "
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When" it" comes" to" planting" crops," many" Georgia"farmers"opt"for"vegetables,"cotton,"peanuts" or" other" row" crops" traditionally" seen" on" sprawling" acreage." But" a" few" growers" prefer" to" cultivate" something" more" common" on" gardens" than" farms:" herbs." In"1993,"Randy"Beavers"and"his"wife"learned" they" were" going" to" inherit" her" grandfather’s" farm," and" for" three" years" they" researched" what" sort" of" farm" they" could" make" a" suitable" living" off" of" in" Dalton."" Then," eureka" —" Beavers’" wife" remembered" her" grandfather" telling" them" he’d" found" wildL growing" herbs" in" the" area." Combined" with" their" hobby"of"identifying"forest"plants,"they"knew"they’d" found"the"farm"endeavor"they"were"looking"for,"and" the"concept"for"Sleepy"Hollow"Herb"Farm"was"born." Specifically," they" decided" to" plant" forestLgrowing" herbs"such"as"goldenseal." “Goldenseal" at" the" time" was" very" much" in" the" news" as" being" overLcollected" from" the" wild,”" Beavers" says." “We" decided" to" focus" our" area" on" goldenseal." At" that" time," 98" percent" was" supplied" from" wildLcollected" raw" material." …" We" quickly" found"out"there"was"no"real"information"on"how"to" profitably"do"this."This"was"basically"domesticating"a" wild"plant.”" He" spotted" a" notice" in" the" Farmers' and' Consumers' Market' Bulletin," a" publication" from" the" Georgia" Department" of" Agriculture," for" US" Department"of"Agriculture"grant"funds."The"Beavers" applied" for" funding" to" start" a" viable" organic" goldenseal"process"for"family"farms."" “We"ended"up"growing"the"plant"that"a"small" farmer" could" use,”" he" says." “We" were" awarded" a" total" of" eight" grants" from" USDA" for" developing"
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production"and"processing"systems.”" According"to"USDA’s"Plant'Guide,"goldenseal" roots" “have" antibiotic" properties.”" The" herb" was" historically" used" by" Native" Americans" to" treat" a" variety" of" health" conditions," but" according" to" the" National" Institutes" of" Health," there’s" not" much" scientific" evidence" to" support" its" effectiveness" in" human"health."" NIH" is" funding" research" on" goldenseal," including"studies"about"its"use"in"human"health,"and" development" of" a" standardized" herb" cultivar" that" can" be" used" in" clinical" studies." Sleepy" Hollow" Herb"
“The key is to find the right plants for the right environment. There are cool weather herbs and warm weather herbs just like there are cool weather vegetables.” — Colleen McElroy, owner, Colonial Creek Farm in Swainsboro Farm" participated" in" some" of" that" research," and" plans" to" help" USDA" and" NIH" create" a" set" of" standards"to"grow"goldenseal." “It’s"a"very"unassuming"plant,”"Beavers"says." “It" also" makes" a" beautiful" yellow" dye" and" is" widely" used"in"the"natural"dyeing"industry.”" This" is" about" the" time" of" year" when" the" whitish" goldenseal" flowers" begin" to" pop" up" on" the" farm." Also" coming" up" right" now" are" the" herbs" at" Colonial" Creek" Farm" in" Swainsboro." Owner" Colleen" McElroy"got"her"start"in"culinary"herb"farming"down" in" Vero" Beach," Florida," where" she" started" growing" heirloom" tomatoes" and" other" rare" plants" as" a"
" " " " hobby." Several" years" later" her" family" moved" to" Georgia"and"the"Internet"became"an"integral"part"of" her"growing"business." Her" greenhouse" is" home" to" 45" varieties" of" mint," more" than" 20" rosemaries," 15" types" of" thyme" and" myriad" other" herbs" of" both" domestic" and" international" origin." She" grows" so" many" varieties" because" she" wants" to" show" customers" how" to" broaden"their"horizons." “They" only" know" about" regular" old" cilantro." Cilantro"doesn’t"like"heat"very"much."As"soon"as"the" weather" starts" getting" hot" the" cilantro’s" pretty" much"done"with,”"McElroy"says."“But"there"are"a"lot" of" different" herbs," Vietnamese" coriander" and" Mexican"cilantro,"they"grow"better"here"in"the"heat." The" same" with" tarragon:" Texas" does" better" here" than"French.”" Most" herbs" aren’t" fussy" about" soil," but" some," like" rosemary" and" lavender," need" a" wellL drained"soil,"McElroy"says."" “For"the"most"part"herbs"thrive"in"poor"soil,”" she" says." “The" oil" content" in" herbs" actually" is" stronger" if" they" are" not" heavily" fertilized." …" If" you" want" your" herbs" to" taste" like" they’re" supposed" to," don’t"overLfertilize"them.”" That" requires" Georgians" to" decide" which" they’d" rather" have," a" lush," green" plant" or" a" plant" with"more"fragrance"and"flavor." Unlike"culinary"herbs,"goldenseal"grows"best" in"a"forest"environment,"Beavers"says." “It" requires" 65" percent" shade" and" it" does" need" kind" of" a" moist," northeast" slope." It" prefers" mountainous" locations" or" at" least" hilly" terrain,”" he" says." Beavers" says" growers" should" look" for" a" shady," cool" area" under" a" hardwood" forest" to" plant" goldenseal."The"herb"also"grows"best"in"a"soil"of"6.0" pH"or"better"and"requires"four"to"six"years"to"reach" full"maturity." Though" both" McElroy" and" Beavers" grow" more" traditionalLstyle" herbs," there" are" plants" available" that" offer" different" colors" or" other" !
specially"bredLfor"characteristics."" McElroy" cautions" against" planting" these" types" of" herbs" without" researching" them" first," as" she" found" that" some" are" not" as" hardy" in" Georgia" weather." She" also" does" not" recommend" planting" variegated" herbs," which" are" those" that" have" green" leaves"patterned"with"yellow"or"white." “Everybody" likes" them" because" they’re" pretty," but" they" do" not" grow" as" well,”" she" says." “They" eventually" do" revert" back" to" being" green." …" The" key" is" to" find" the" right" plants" for" the" right" environment." There" are" cool" weather" herbs" and" warm" weather" herbs" just" like" there" are" cool" weather"vegetables.”" She" also" has" some" advice" for" growers" who" aren’t" sure" about" planting," or" eating," something" than"a"grocery"store"variety."" “I" think" most" people" are" familiar" with" the" average" herbs" like" parsley," thyme," basil" and" oregano." But" say" if" somebody" is" used" to" cooking" with"thyme,"they"might"try"lemon"thyme"or"caraway" thyme" to" add" a" little" different" flavor" than" they’re" used"to,”"McElroy"says."–#aCm' !
7!
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MAY GARDEN CHECKLIST
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Sources:'University'of'Georgia'Extension;'Walter'Reeves,'the'Georgia'Gardener'
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Control"grass"and"weeds"that"compete"with" moisture"and"fertilizer." Try"a"few"tomato"plants"on"stakes"or"trellises" this"year"—"now"is"the"time"to"start"tying"the" plants"up." Watch"out"for"these"pests,"as"early"discovery" makes"for"early"control:"Mexican"bean" beetle,"Colorado"potato"beetle,"bean"leaf" beetle,"Harlequin"cabbage"bug,"blister"beetle," cabbage"worm,"tomato"hornworm,"tomato" fruit"worm,"corn"earworm,"cucumber"beetle" and"squash"bug." Keep"a"log"book"of"issues"that"occur"so"you" can"avoid"them"next"year,"and"note"what" works"as"well." Got"excess"garden"produce?"Start"making" plans"to"put"some"up!" Treat"for"azalea"lace"bugs"using"horticultural" oil,"insecticidal"soap"or"insecticides,"and"look" for"“toothpicks”"on"the"trunk"of"small"trees" —"it’s"a"sign"of"the"Asian"ambrosia"beetle."
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For"summer"color,"plant"begonias,"coleus," geraniums,"petunias"and"vinca." Fill"low"spots"in"your"lawn"with"an"equal" mixture"of"sand"and"topsoil."Sweep"with"a" broom"after"to"expose"grass"blades." Snip"off"sprouts"from"the"lower"trunks"of" crape"myrtles"that"you"want"to"grow"upright." Remove"leafless"limbs"from"shade"trees,"and" prune"earlyLflowering"azaleas"now"they’re" done"blooming."Pinch"the"growing"tips"of" rhododendron"limbs"when"flowers"are"gone." Plant"rosemary,"basil,"dill"and"other"herbs." Divide"and"transplant"irises"after"they"bloom." Control"fire"ants"by"lightly"scattering"bait"on" your"lawn."After"two"days,"spray"insecticide" on"any"large"mounds"you"see." Plants"need"an"inch"of"water"per"week."For" patio"pants,"drill"a"oneLeighth"inch"hole"in"the" cap"of"a"twoLliter"bottle."Fill"the"bottle,"cap"it" and"turn"it"upside"down"in"the"soil"to"slowly" water"them." Water"between"10"p.m."and"10"a.m.," allowing"the"grass"to"dry"before"nightfall"the" next"day,"which"prevents"disease."
# “In#the#spring,#at#the#end#of#the#day,#you#should# smell#like#dirt.”# —"Margaret"Atwood"
8! !
Got"a"question"for"our"bloom"experts,"who"are" passionate"about"their"plants?"Submit"your" question"online"at" www.agriCULTUREmagazine.net,"or"email"it"to"us" directly"at" contact.agriculturemagazine@gmail.com"with"the" subject"line"“Ask"the"Experts:"bloom.”"
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When" she" was"
The Eastern red bat, Lasiurus borealis, helps control softbodied insect pests in Georgia gardens. Photo | Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org
a" little" girl" growing" up" in" Pennsylvania," Wilma" Nace" was"afraid"of"bats." “They" would" plunk" down" at" you,”" the" nowL McDonough" resident" says." “As" I" got" older" I" realized" that" the" mosquitoes" and" the" biting" bugs" are" attracted" to" your" body" …" and" the" bats" are" coming" actually"to"get"the"bugs"that"
are"near"you."That’s"why"they"swoop"towards"you.”" Gardeners" in" Georgia" are" no" strangers" to" the" benefit" of" bats" as" natural" pest" control," even" though" they" may" not" know" it." Mosquitoes"are"just"the"tip"of"the"iceberg." “We" have" a" number" of" bats" that" eat" all" kinds" of" insects,”" says" Trina" Morris," wildlife" biologist" with" Georgia" Department" of" Natural"Resources." The"big"brown"bat"—"which"is"three"inches"long"with"a"12L inch"wingspan"—"is"common"in"residential"areas."Because"they"have" larger"teeth,"beetles"are"a"favorite"snack." “We" know" there" are" a" lot" of" beetles" that" cause" issues" in" gardens,”" Morris" says." “They" would" eat" those" really" nasty" things" that" you" would" think" nothing" would" eat," like" stinkbugs" or" squashbugs.”" Smaller"pests"can"be"controlled"by"the"Eastern"red"bat." “We" have" some" moths" that" lay" their" eggs" on" plants" and" their" larvae" does" a" lot" of" damage,”" Morris" says." “The" smaller" bats" eat"more"softLbodied"insects"off"of"plants.”" Nick" Fuhrman," an" associate" professor" in" the" University" of" Georgia"College"of"Agricultural"and"Environmental"Sciences"and"star" of" the" “Ranger" Nick”" series" on" Georgia' Farm' Monitor," says" it’s" estimated"that"a"colony"of"bats"eats"100"tons"of"insects"in"a"season." “Because" those" bats" are" out" at" night," they’re" not" eating" the"insects"that"are"doing"the"pollination."They’re"eating"the"moths" and"mosquitoes,”"Fuhrman"says." In"Georgia,"gardeners"can"reap"benefits"of"bats"all"year." “Our" weather" is" warm" enough" and" the" bats" are" hardy" enough"that"they"don’t"really"hibernate,”"Morris"says."" In" addition" to" pest" control," bats" also" help" gardens" bloom" with"their"droppings,"called"guano."
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“Bat"poop"is"like"gold"for"gardeners"because"their" poop"is"so"rich"in"nitrates"and"these"fertilizer"components,”" Fuhrman"says." To" draw" bats" to" a" garden," Morris" recommends" planting"near"a"tree"line,"or"planting"trees"between"a"tree" line" and" bed." This" type" of" setLup" helps" bats" feel" hidden" from"predators." “I" am" trying" really" hard" to" get" bats" to" come" into" my"yard,”"Nace"says."“Last"year"we"had"one"take"up"on"the" porch"and"I"saw"a"considerable"difference"in"the"amount"of" mosquito" bites" and" the" amount" of" mosquitoes" we" had" in" the"yard.”" She" purchased" a" bat" box" to" encourage" the" mammals"to"live"close"by."" “It’s"a"very"thin"box,"about"a"foot"wide."The"thing" that" really" makes" it" unique" is" inside" the" box," the" wood" is" grooved" to" make" it" easier" for" the" bats" to" climb" on,”" she" says."" If" a" bat" box" isn’t" right" for" a" garden" or" yard," Furhman"suggests"keeping"standing"dead"trees"for"bats"to" roost" under" during" the" day." Another" consideration" is" putting"out"a"birdbath." “If" you" want" to" put" out" a" little" pond" in" your" garden,"or"birdbath,"you’re"not"only"helping"the"birds"but" you’re" also" helping" the" bats,”" Furhman" says." “Bats" are" known" to" go" down" into" standing" bodies" of" water" and" skim.”"—#aCm' Visit'the'back'porch'blog'on'our'website'this'month'to' learn'how'to'build'your'own'bat'house,'thanks'to'resources' from'Bat'Conservation'International.! !
Big brown bats, or Eptesicus fuscus, have larger teeth that make beetles and other such garden pests easy dinner. Photo | US Department of Agriculture Forest Service Southern Research 9! Station, Bugwood.org
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In"home"gardens,"herbs"grow"well"in" hanging"baskets,"tiered"strawberry"jars," mounted"in"windows"or"window"boxes"or" in"raised"beds,"says"University"of"Georgia" horticulturist"Bodie"Pennisi."Outside"of" the"commercially"cultivated"food"and" historical"medical"uses,"home"gardeners" have"the"added"option"to"grow"herbs"as" gifts"from"the"garden." " With" the" help" of" resources" from" UGA" Cooperative"Extension,"agriCULTURE'Magazine'readers" and" some" Southern" favorite" publications," we" compiled" a" few" ideas" of" how" Georgia" gardeners" can" turn" their" herbal"bounty"into"gifts"and"décor"for"any"occasion." " Herbal#décor" Healthy"herbs"can"be"easily"propagated"through" cuttings,"and"this"is"a"sentimental"gift"that"will"keep"on" giving"to"the"recipient."For"an"upcoming"housewarming" or"holiday"party,"put"a"bow"on"a"small"potted"herb"that" can"double"as"air"freshener."" Rosemary," lavender" and" basil" are" all" freshL smelling" herbs" that" can" liven" up" any" room" in" a" home." The" zingy" and" appetizing" scents" of" rosemary" and" basil" are"perfect"for"growing"in"the"kitchen,"and"the"relaxing" aroma" of" lavender" is" wellLsuited" for" growing" in" a" bathroom"or"bedroom." As" agriCULTURE' Magazine" explored" in" its" February"issue,"herbs"are"great"candidates"to"be"grown" in"container"gardens."If"you"plan"to"give"an"entire"herb" plant," present" it" to" the" recipient" in" an" antique" cup," 10! !
Mint and other herbs can be gifted to new homeowners, family and friends in containers that match the décor of a room or house, such as this wooden bucket outside at Oli+Ve in Roswell. Photo | Dallas Duncan
decorative" tin" can," rustic" Mason" jar," hanging" basket" or" galvanized" bucket" instead" of" a" clay" pot." These" provide" adequate" drainage" for" the" plant"while"adding"flair"to"the"home."Plus,"being" in" a" pot" instead" of" the" ground" allows" home" cooks"and"novice"gardeners"easy"access"to"their" fresh"ingredients." If" you" plant" sage" or" fennel," however," these"may"be"better"gifted"with"the"outdoors"in" mind." These" are" two" herbs" that" keep" pests" at" bay,"and"can"be"planted"between"other"flora"in"a" garden"to"reduce"the"need"for"pesticides."Fennel" in" particular" wards" off" fleas," flies" and" mosquitoes,"making"it"a"great"option"to"give"in"a" window"box." While" you" plan" for" Mother’s" Day" this" month," consider" bringing" home" a" bouquet"
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pinecones," cinnamon" sticks," dried" basil," dried" sage" and"cotton"twine."If"you’re"grabbing"pinecones"from" the" backyard" to" make" these," ensure" they’re" thoroughly" dried" —" a" damp" pinecone" does" not" make"for"good"kindling." Lay" out" two" sheets" of" folded" newspaper." Crush" two" pinecones" into" coarse" pieces" and" put" inside" the" newspaper." Add" the" spicyLscented" herbs" on" top," and" fold" the" newspaper" around" the" flora" into" a" pouch" shape." Bind" the" ends" of" the" bundle" with" cotton" twine" and" you" created" an" easy," affordable"gift"for"friends"and"family."—#aCm' "
A FEW FRAGRANT HERBS "
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Lavender, like this from the herb garden at Oli+Ve in Roswell, can be dried and used to make scented sachets as gifts. Photo | Dallas Duncan
dotted" with" nontraditional" accoutrements," such" as" fruit,"vegetables"and"herbs"to"present"to"your"mom" or" grandmother." Basil," lemon" balm" or" mint" are" fragrant"options"to"put"in"an"arrangement"from"the" store," and" flowering" herbs" such" as" bee" balm" or" anise"hyssop"add"color"pops"and"unusual"blooms"in" addition"to"classic"scents." " DIY#herb#gifts" When"Mary"Wainwright"of"Folkston"needs"a" gift"from"her"herb"garden,"she"whips"up"one"of"her" lavender"sachet"pillows."To"make"the"pillows,"you’ll" need" two" sixLbyLsixLinch" squares" of" fabric," straight" pins," needle" and" thread," flax" seed" and" dried" lavender."" First,"take"the"two"squares"of"fabric"and"pin" the"right"sides"together."Stitch"three"sides"and"flip"it" rightLside" out." Fill" it" about" halfway" with" flax" seeds" and"then"fill"the"rest"with"dried"lavender,"then"stitch" the" last" open" side" closed." These" make" excellent" fresheners" to" stick" in" drawers," closets" or" other" stuffy"spaces." During" the" fall" and" winter" holiday" seasons," save"basil"and"sage"to"use"for"a"seasonal"fire"starter" bundle."This"idea,"from"Better'Homes'and'Gardens," is" great" to" bring" to" party" hostesses" or" make" for" teacher"gifts."For"these,"you’ll"need"old"newspaper," !
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Artemisia:"GreyLgreen"or"silver"foliage;" strongLscented"and"useful"for"repelling" moths"and"fleas" Hyssop:"Pink,"white"or"blue"flowers;" spicy"scent"good"for"potpourris" Lavender:"White,"pale"purple"or"pale" blue"flowers;"commonly"used"in"bath"and" cosmetic"products" Lemon#verbena:"The"strongest"lemonL scented"herb" Monarda#(Oswego#tea,#bee#balm):" Bright"flowers;"light"lemony"scent" Santolina:"Gray"or"green"foliage;"spicy" scent"that’s"commonly"used"in"dried" floral"arrangements"and"in"wreaths" Scented#geranium:"Scents"run"the" gamut,"including"coconut,"cinnamon"and" nutmeg" Tansy:"Yellow"flowers;"pungent"scent" popular"as"an"insect"repellant"or"in"both" fresh"and"dry"floral"arrangements"
CULINARY HERBS TO PLANT & GIVE"include"basil," bay,"chives,"cilantro"and"coriander,"dill,"lemon" balm,"lemon"grass,"marjoram,"mint,"oregano," parsley,"rosemary,"sage,"pineapple"sage"and" thyme"
" Source:'University'of'Georgia'Cooperative'Extension,'“Herbs'in'Southern' Gardens”'
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BLUEBERRIES FOR BREAKFAST "
In"his"time"at"the"University"of"Georgia," blueberry"breeder"Scott"NeSmith"developed"15" cultivars"to"help"grow"the"state’s"blueberry"industry" to"No."1"in"2014."The"berries"can"be"eaten"at"any" time"of"the"day"as"snacks,"dried"into"juicy"bites"that" pack"a"punch"inside"a"fresh"salad,"served"with" strawberries"alongside"a"piece"of"angel"food"or" cheesecake,"pressed"into"juices"o"added"to" smoothies,"reduced"into"a"syrup"for"pancakes"and" meats"…"or,"as"NeSmith’s"family"likes"eating"them," baked"into"fluffy,"decadent"muffins." He"shared"his"recipe"with"us"for"this"issue"—" we"hope"y’all"enjoy."Take"a"photo"of"your"creations" and"tag"us"on"Facebook,"Instagram"or"Twitter"with" #agriCULTUREmag"so"we"can"see"and"share"it!""
Photo | Katie Thigpen Chapman
NeSmith Family Blueberry Muffins INGREDIENTS 1.75"cups"selfLrising"flour" ThreeLfourths"cup"sugar" ThreeLfourths"cup"milk" 1"egg" OneLthird"cup"cooking"oil" 1"cup"fresh"blueberries" "
INSTRUCTIONS 1."Preheat"oven"to"375." 2."Grease"a"muffin"pan"and"line"with"muffin"cups." 3."Combine"flour,"sugar,"milk,"egg"and"oil"in"a"large"bowl"and"mix"by"hand"until" completely"mixed." 4."Gently"fold"blueberries"into"mixture." 5."Spoon"the"mixture"into"muffin"cups,"filling"each"twoLthirds"of"the"way"full." 6."Bake"for"25"minutes." " ! It’s#Sweet#Vidalia#Season!#
Georgia’s"famous"Vidalia"Onion"was"just"released"to" stores"for"the"2016"season!"The"Vidalia"Onion"Committee" shared"with"us"a"few"ways"to"cook"up"these"veggies"below." Visit"back"porch"blog"at"www.agriCULTUREmagazine.net"this" month"for"some"sweet"Vidalia"recipes"by"America’s"first" MasterChef"winner,"Whitney"Miller!" • Chop:"A"great"preparation"method"for"salads,"since" Vidalias"are"less"pungent"than"other"onions" • Slice:#For"sandwiches"and"burgers" • Sauté:"An"option"for"meaty"dishes"
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Chill:"Enhance"the"flavor"of"a"Vidalia"for"raw" consumption"by"chilling"in"the"fridge"for"an"hour" before"serving,"or"slicing"and"sticking"in"a"bowl"of" ice"water"for"about"30"minutes."Drain"on"a"paper" towel"if"you"choose"that"method!"" Caramelize:"Cook"slowly"over"low"heat"to"remove" moisture"without"immediately"browning."For"a" pound"of"onions,"that’s"20"minutes"at"medium"heat," stirring"occasionally,"and"another"20"at"higher"heat," stirring"constantly"until"the"liquid’s"evaporated."
DON’T FORGET TO … 12! !
Got"a"question"for"our"chew"experts,"who"represent"Georgia’s" food"and"beverage"industry?"Submit"your"question"online"at" www.agriCULTUREmagazine.net,"or"email"it"to"us"directly"at" contact.agriculturemagazine@gmail.com"with"the"subject"line" “Ask"the"Experts:"chew.”"
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Last" month," agriCULTURE' Magazine" introduced" you" to" three" of" the" 2016" Georgia" Grown" Executive" Chefs."Here"we"present"the"remaining"two"in"this"year’s"class."The"five"chefs"chosen"this"year"represent"some"of" the"state’s"best"restaurants"and"food"purveyors." " Chef#Seth#Freedman#|#PeachDish,#Atlanta" Chef"Seth"Freedman"was"born"and"raised"in"Georgia"by"his"home"economics"teacher"mom" and" farm" cook" grandmother." After" deciding" at" an" early" age" he" wanted" to" be" a" chef," his" family" chose"to"home"school"him"in"high"school"to"accommodate"his"kitchen"work"schedule." “There’s" a" really" important" kernel" of" truth" and" that" is" I" came" to" love" cooking" because" I" love"to"eat."Food"has"just"been"an"integral"part"of"enjoyment"of"life"for"me,”"he"says." Early"on"in"his"career,"Freedman"realized"not"everyone"grew"up"with"a"family"that"passed" down"cooking"knowledge." Freedman"tackled"this"challenge"by"working"with"programs"that"taught"kids"and"adults"how"to"cook."In"2013" he" joined" PeachDish" to" take" this" mission" a" step" further." The" company" sends" portioned" ingredients" and" recipes" to" families"as"part"of"a"subscription"service." “By"taking"care"of"the"menu"planning"and"the"recipe"for"them,"and"sending"everything"that"you"need"in"the" right"amount,"it"makes"cooking"at"home"less"intimidating,”"Freedman"says."“My"main"motivation"is"to"get"folks"excited" about"cooking"and"working"with"farmLfresh"ingredients.”" His"favorite"Georgia"ingredients"include"Vidalia"Onions"and"coastal"shrimp,"as"well"as"the"summer"ingredients" about"to"grace"the"menu." Favorite'dish'he’s'ever'eaten:"Fresh"baguette"and"cheese"on"a"childhood"trip"to"Europe" ! Chef#Doug#Turbush#|#Seed#Kitchen#&#Bar,#Marietta" Chef"Doug"Turbush"began"his"culinary"career"in"the"Badger"State." “Originally"from"Wisconsin,"I"started"washing"dishes"after"school"when"I"was"15."I"went"to" hotel"and"restaurant"management"school"in"Wisconsin,"then"to"The"Culinary"Institute"of"America" in"New"York,”"he"says."“I’ve"never"really"done"anything"else"but"be"in"this"industry.”" In"culinary"school,"Turbush"says"he"got"the"“ownership"bug,”"and"sought"out"the"busiest" and"most"successful"restaurants"to"work"in."In"Atlanta"that"included"Nava"—"a"former"restaurant" owned" by" Kevin" Rathbun," now" known" for" several" top" AtlantaLarea" steakhouses" —" and" the" late" Asian"locale"Bluepointe,"which"closed"in"2011."After"the"doors"shut"on"Bluepointe,"the"doors"at"Seed"Kitchen"&"Bar" opened,"and"Turbush’s"“ownership"bug”"was"in"full"flight." “My" cooking" style" is" seasonally" driven,”" he" says." “I" like" using" bold" flavors;" link" hints" of" Asian" and" Latin" cooking.”" It’s"no"surprise"the"best"dish"he"ever"ate"was"an"Asian"dish:"Thai"grilled"chicken"with"som"tam"and"sticky"rice." “I"ordered"it"a"lot"when"I"lived"there"and"I"still"want"to"eat"it"now,”"he"says." On' the' best' dish' he’s' ever' made:' “People" will" tell" you" it’s" Seed" Kitchen" &" Bar’s" panLroasted" blue" cod" with" caramelized"Brussels"sprouts"and"cauliflower"with"Thai"herb"vinaigrette.”"—#aCm! CORRECTION:'In'the'April'2016'issue'of'agriCULTURE"Magazine,'the'name'of'Chef'Derek'Dollar’s'restaurant'was'listed'incorrectly' due'to'reporter'error.'The'correct'name'is'Milton’s'Cuisine'&'Cocktails.'The'staff'of'aCm'regrets'this'error'and'apologizes'for'any' ! 13! inconvenience'it'may'have'caused.' !
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GET CRAFTY: Paver#Planter# What#You’ll#Need:# • Four"12x12"pavers" • Two"eightLfoot"2x2s" • Circular"saw" • Power"drill"and"bits" • Caulking"gun"and" construction"adhesive"
Left | Step 4, the base assembled Above | Step 5, how each of the two assembled sides should look before being connected with two additional pavers
Sandpaper"block" Wood"stain"and"brush" Tape"measure" Two"bungee"cords" ThreeLinch"exterior"deck" screws"
Steps#to#Success:# 1."Cut"2x2s"into"four"pieces"of"16"inches"and"eight"pieces"of"12"" """"inches." 2."Sand"and"stain"the"wood."Allow"the"wood"to"dry." 3."PreLdrill"and"countersink"the"2x2"pieces"together."The"16Linch"" """"pieces"will"form"the"legs,"and"the"12Linch"pieces"will"form"" """"supports"between"the"legs." 4."Create"the"base"first,"screwing"together"six"12Linch"pieces"as"" """"shown." 5."Make"two"sides,"each"with"two"16Linch"pieces"and"one"12Linch"" """"piece."Screw"together."Apply"a"thick"line"of"adhesive"to"the"inside"" """"edge"of"the"frame"and"put"the"paver"in"as"shown,"careful"not"to"" """"get"the"adhesive"on"any"of"the"frame"or"paver"surface." 6."Set"the"two"sides"upside"down,"12"inches"across"from"each"other"" """"and"link"with"two"remaining"pavers,"attached"with"adhesive"on""" """"the"inside"edge."You"now"have"two"paver"edges"not"lined"with""" """"wood"—"this"is"where"the"base"will"go!" 7."Apply"adhesive"to"the"empty"edges"and"place"the"base"on"top."" """"Set"the"remaining"screws." 8."Wrap"planter"with"bungee"cords"and"let"dry"overnight." 9."To"finish,"you"can"either"line"the"planters"with"landscaping"fabric,"" """"or"place"pots"directly"inside." Tutorial'courtesy'Amy'Anderson,'Mod'Podge'Rocks'
Knitting:#On"the"Spice"Market"by"Melanie"Berg" Available"for"$5.88" Techniques:"garter"stitch,"bobbles,"short"rows," colorwork,"slip"stitches" Uses"US"size"2.5"needles,"929"yards"fingering" weight"yarn" 14! !
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Crochet:"Neat"Ripple"by"Lucy"of"Attic24" Available"for"free"" Techniques:"treble"two"together,"treble" increase,"join"colors,"yarn"over" Uses"size"G"hook"and"DK"weight"yarn"
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Gone" are" the" days" when" salt" and" black" pepper" ruled" the" pantry." In" today’s" multicultural" culinary" world," home" cooks" and" chefs" alike" crave" spicy," tangy," sour," sweet" and" smoky" with" their" traditional"Southern"spice"staples." “Pretty" much" every" restaurant," like" even" tiny" mom" and" pop" restaurants," and" food" chains," are" using" flavors." We" are" so" cultural" now,”" says" Suzi" Sheffield," owner" of" Beautiful" Briny" Sea" in" Atlanta."" Companies" like" Beautiful" Briny" Sea" and" Savannah’s" The" Salt" Table" specialize" in" upping" the" ante" on" recipes," taking" the" guesswork" out" of" seasoning" by" providing" Georgians" with" houseL made"mixes"based"on"a"familiar"ingredient." “You" need" salt" to" live" and" we" take" it" for" granted" today,”" says" Dave" Legasse," coLowner" of" The"Salt"Table."“Wars"were"fought"over"it"and"the" kingdoms"were"controlled"by"the"rulers"controlling" the"salt."That"was"right"up"until"the"1930s.”" And" the" expression" “worth" his" salt?”" That" has" its" roots" in" ancient" history," when" Roman" solders" were" paid" in" salt," Legasse" says." Even" the" word"“salary”"comes"from"this"seasoning."Its"Latin" equivalent"is"“salarium.”"" “The" whole" exploration" of" North" America" and" the" Atlantic" Ocean," people" were" going" there" for" cod" and" the" only" way" to" keep" it" from" rotting" was"to"pack"it"in"salt,”"he"says." The" Legasses’" business" was" inspired" by" a" Florida" restaurant" called" Salt," and" a" book" Legasse" read" showcasing" the" ingredient’s" history." At" the"time,"there"wasn’t"a"store"in"the" state" themed" after" salt," and" The" Salt" Table" was" born." Their" product" came" from" an" idea" Legasse’s" wife" had" during"the"holiday"season."" “Carol" comes" up" with" some"
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very"creative"things"to"do."She’d"rather"send"her"family" and" friends" something" she" created" rather" than" something"she"bought."That"particular"year"she"liked"to" experiment" with" cooking" and" trying" different" spice" blends,”" Legasse" says." “That"Christmas"we"sent" out" those" blends" and" I" came" up" with" a" logo" for" it" and" we" tried"to"make"it"look" like" a" real" product," that" was" a" pretend" product,"that"turned" into"a"real"product."I" remember" saying," ‘Baby,"we"gotta"start"charging"for"this.’”" Sheffield"entered"the"seasoning"business"from"a" similar" standpoint." She" already" owned" a" restaurant" in" South" Carolina," and" when" she" moved" back" to" her" hometown" of" Atlanta" six" years" ago," she" wanted" an" opportunity"to"get"into"the"culinary"scene"in"the"Peach" State."" “I" definitely" didn’t" want" to" open" another" restaurant,”"she"says."“Then"sea"salt"or"dry"goods"came" to" mind." I" love" the" whole" vision" of" an" old" mercantile" where" you" go" and" you" buy" your" dry" goods," a" ‘Little" House" on" the" Prairie’" general" store." That" seems" really" cool"with"jars"and"the"little"medicine"cabinet"of"stuff.”" She" started" playing" around" with" flavors" and" selling" her" salts" at" fairs." Then" retail" accounts" started" picking" her" up," and" Beautiful" Briny" Sea" salts" and" salt" blends" are" now" available" in" several" major"stores"across"the"country." Sheffield" makes" two" styles" of" salts:"singleLingredient"and"blends." “When" we" first" started" out," I" just" made" the" basics:" rosemary,"
This page | Salt and seasoning blends from Beautiful Briny Sea. Top, Cawffee Flavahed Shuguh; bottom, High Powdered Gunpowder Finishing Salt
… Continued on page 19 15!
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Flavor" of" Georgia" is" a" contest" where" dreams" are" born." This" year," for" Amanda" Wilbanks," it" was" a" contest" where"dreams"came"true." “I" was" genuinely" shocked" when" they" said" ‘Caramel" Pecan"Pie’"for"the"grand"prize"winner."It"didn’t"really"hit"me,”" Wilbanks,"the"owner"of"Southern"Baked"Pie"Co."in"Gainesville," says." “I" think" it’s" definitely" increased" our" sales" just" because" we’ve" had" a" lot" more" publicity" from" newspapers" and" magazines." It’s" given" us" some" street" cred" out" there," which" we’re"really"excited"about.”" The" annual" contest," hosted" by" the" University" of" Georgia’s"Center"for"Agribusiness"and"Economic"Development," recruits"hundreds"of"GeorgiaLmade"food"products"in"a"number" of"different"categories."Judges"narrow"down"their"top"three"in" each"category"and"the"finalists"present"their"entries"to"a"panel"
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and"visitors"at"the"state’s"Ag"Day"celebration." "“This" is" a" continuation" and" expression" of" what" we" have" done," and" the" commissioner" in" particular" has" done,"to"promote"agriculture"in"our"state"and"make"it"real" to"our"citizens"as"they"shop"at"the"grocery"store,"as"they" buy"products"for"their"home,”"Georgia"Gov."Nathan"Deal" told"attendees"at"the"2016"event." Gary"Black,"Georgia"commissioner"of"agriculture," noted"that"there"were"a"number"of"repeat"finalists"in"the" crowd"this"year." “This" is" a" launch" pad" of" a" lot" of" folks’" business" dreams,”"Black"says."“You’ve"got"people"in"the"room"who" just"a"few"years"ago"had"a"dream."You"go"to"your"Sunday" School"party"and"you"keep"bringing"something"every"year" and"somebody"says,"‘Maybe"you"ought"to"make"that"and" sell"it.’”" That’s"exactly"what"happened"to"Wilbanks."
" She"began"baking"for"fun"in"October"2012"and"gave" " her"pies"away"to"neighbors,"who"loved"them"so"much"they" wanted" to" buy" them" as" gifts." By" December," Wilbanks" sold" 500"pies"from"her"kitchen."A"few"festivals"and"fairs"later,"she" and" her" husband" bought" a" retail" space" in" Gainesville" to" officially"launch"the"company." “It’s"just"kind"of"taken"off"and"grown"exponentially" from"there,”"Wilbanks"says." At" their" retail" location" in" Gainesville," Wilbanks" serves"up"both"sweet"and"savory"pies:"apple,"cherry,"peach," blueberry,"blackberry,"chicken"pot"pie,"chicken"ranchero"and" more," depending" on" the" season" and" availability" of" ingredients." “We"decided"to"do"sweet"and"savory"because"there" weren’t" a" lot" of" savory" pies" out" there." We" really" felt" there" was" a" void" in" the" market" for" good" quality" savory" pies" like" chicken"pot"pie,”"Wilbanks"says." In" addition" to" grabbing" dessert," she" says" offering" savory"pies"gives"busy"parents"an"option"to"get"a"homemade" meal" without" spending" their" entire" evening" in" the" kitchen." Her" two" favorite" pies" are" the" chicken" ranchero," a" savory," and"the"sweet"Georgia"Belle"Peach"Pie." “The" Georgia" Belle" Peach" Pie" is" by" far" one" of" the" most" amazing" things" ever,”" Wilbanks" says." “We" get" all" our" peaches"from"[Dickey"Farms"in"Musella]."That’s"my"favorite" pie"that"we"make."It’s"out"of"this"world.”" All" of" the" pies" use" minimal" ingredients" and" are" made" by" hand," things" Wilbanks" says" helps" Southern" Baked" Pie"Co."stand"out." “The" great" thing" about" our" fruit" pies" is" the" only" thing"that’s"in"them"is"fruit,"a"little"bit"of"butter,"a"little"bit"of" sugar,"flour"and"that’s"it."Just"like"Grandma"used"to"make,”" she"says."“I"think"that’s"why"people"are"attracted"to"them.”" Her" recipes" are" actually" what" her" grandmother," and" other" relatives,"make." “I" think" that’s" one" thing" that" makes" our" recipes" so" good,”" Wilbanks" says." “We’re" not" trying" to" reinvent" the" wheel."We’re"taking"recipes"our"family"has"loved"for"years"…" that"everybody"has"fallen"in"love"with."We’ve"done"things"to" enhance"them"a"little"bit,"but"not"change"the"overall"essence" of"them.”" For"the"Caramel"Pecan"Pie"that"won"the"2016"Flavor" of" Georgia" competition," Wilbanks" roasts" her" stateLsourced" pecans" to" give" them" a" deeper," richer" flavor" and" bring" out" the"oils."She"also"boils"the"sugars"to"make"a"caramel"instead" of"mixing"all"the"ingredients"in"a"bowl"with"eggs."" “We"use"an"allLbutter"pie"dough."Not"a"lot"of"people" still" do,”" Wilbanks" says." “It" has" a" better" texture," so" not" as" tough"as"some"other"pie"doughs."When"I"say"allLbutter,"most" pie"doughs"on"the"shelves"are"made"with"palm"oil"or"lard"or" shortening" and" those" don’t" have" a" lot" of" flavor" to" them." Butter"has"a"lot"of"better"flavor"and"is"a"better"fat"for"you.”" Because"her"pies"don’t"contain"added"preservatives," they" have" a" sevenLday" shelf" life." Wilbanks" recommends" refrigerating" them" if" they’re" not" going" to" be" eaten" within"
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Amanda Wilbanks, owner of Southern Baked Pie Co. in Gainesville, won the confections category and the overall 2016 Flavor of Georgia competition with her Caramel Pecan Pie (opposite page).
three"days,"and"says"if"people"decide"to"freeze"them,"they’ll" be"good"for"up"to"six"months." Up" next" for" Southern" Baked" Pie" Co." is" a" store" in" Atlanta’s" Buckhead" neighborhood," and" there’s" talk" a" third" location"may"be"opening." “We’ve" always" wanted" to" have" multiple" locations" and" offer" our" pies" to" customers" in" the" Atlanta" area" aside" from"shipping"to"them,”"Wilbanks"says."" The" Buckhead" store" won’t" have" seating" —" it’ll" be" set" up" as" a" grabLandLgo" —" but" there" are" plans" for" it" and" future" locations" to" serve" Jittery" Joe’s" coffee" and" a" special" partnership"treat"with"High"Road"Ice"Cream,"“pie"cream.”"" And"even"though"she"as"a"business"owner"knew"her" pies" were" popular" enough" to" warrant" additional" locations," she"was"still"a"bit"nervous"about"putting"the"Caramel"Pecan" Pie"in"front"of"Flavor"of"Georgia"judges." “I" knew" I" was" doing" OK" when" they" kept" eating" the" pie,”" Wilbanks" says." “We’ve" always" felt" it" was" a" great" pie" and"a"great"product,"but"it"helps"having"the"title"to"go"along" with"it.”" She"says"she"loved"the"competition"experience"and" has" plans" to" be" one" of" those" repeat" finalists" Black" talked" about." “I’m"really"glad"that"I"did"it,”"Wilbanks"says."“I"think" if"somebody"has"a"great"product"they"believe"in,"they"should" just"go"for"it"and"enter"it."You"never"know"—"you"might"end" up"winning.”"—aCm!
17!
We’re#huggin’#kind#of# people,#so#y’all#get#a# big#one.#Meet#the#new# subscribers#starting# with#the#May#2016# issue!# " " Start#your#subscription#to#agriCULTURE0 Magazine#today!#It#makes#a#great#gift!# " Visit"www.agriCULTUREmagazine.net"to" subscribe"online"with"a"card"or"PayPal,"or"download"a"subscription"form"to"mail"in"along"with" your"check."Don’t"forget"to"share"the"love"—"loan"this"copy"of"agriCULTURE"to"a"friend!" Norma"Alfonso"Alpharetta" Steve"Blackburn"Waynesboro" Taylor"Brown"Martin' Bruce’s"NutLNLHoney"Farm,"LLC"Homerville" Mike"Burke"Waynesboro" Debbie"and"Tony"Cole"Carrollton" Linda"Crumley"Winder" Dr."Amina"Farooq"Evans' Elyse"Ford"Simpsonville,'South'Carolina" Billy"Moore"Gray" Daniel"Morris"Colbert" Tyler"Murray"Winterville" Shirley"and"Kathy"Myers"Macon" Derek"Williams"Milan"
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HELP US REACH 1,000#new#agriCULTURE0 Magazine#subscribers#by#Dec.#31!# " aCm"is"a"magazine"for"Georgia,"by"Georgia." Who"do"you"know"in"the"Peach"State"that" needs"a"copy"each"month?" Buy"a"gift"subscription"and"we’ll"send"your" friends"and"family"a"welcome"postcard"to"let" them"know"it’s"headed"their"way!! !
MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS! Writer#|"Katie"Thigpen"Chapman" Katie"Thigpen"Chapman"is"a"program"coordinator"in"the"Poultry"Science"Department" in"the"University"of"Georgia"College"of"Agricultural"and"Environmental"Sciences."She" enjoys"exploring"local"shops"and"restaurants"in"Athens"and"spends"her"spare"time" traveling."
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Want#to#join#our#herd?# agriCULTURE'Magazine"selects"freelance"artists,"writers"and"photographers"on"a"rolling" monthly"basis."Visit"www.agriCULTUREmagazine.net"to"apply"for"an"upcoming"issue" today!"
" From page 15 | Season’s Greetings
lavender," mushroom" and" pink" peppercorn,”" she" says." “The" single"ingredient"should"highlight"that"one"flavor."I"try"to"make" it" halfLandLhalf." Then" with" the" blends," because" I’ve" come" up" with"this"flavor"profile,"you"can’t"really"decipher"the"different" ingredients," you" just" know" it’s" coming" up" with" this" certain" flavor.”" Her" first" blend," Magic" Unicorn," is" a" fullLflavored" seasoning" that" opened" the" door" to" creating" those" flavor" profiles"for"salts." “I’m" not" like" an" ‘80s" unicorn" fan" or" anything," but" I" wanted" something" that" set" it" apart,”" she" says." “[Each" blend]" either" has" a" story" or" something" I" want" to"achieve,"like"a"flavor"or"memory.”" Both" companies" agree" that" in" general,"fresh"ingredients"are"best,"but" for"seasonings,"they"prefer"dried."In" addition" to" purchasing" already" dried"herbs,"Beautiful"Briny"Sea"has" equipment" in" its" production" facility" to" dry" and" grind" donations" of" fresh" produce" that" Georgia" farmers"and"gardeners"provide." “What"I"found"is"that"with"these"herbs"and"spices"that" have"been"dried,"you"can"create"a"totally"different"flavor"than" with"fresh"rosemary,”"Sheffield"says."" Because" they" do" use" dried" herbs," Legasse" says" sometimes" there" are" flavors" they" want" to" use," but" can’t" because" there" is" not" a" good" way" to" dry" the" fresh" ingredient." Vidalia" Onions" are" one" example." He" says" the" high" moisture" content"makes"it"a"difficult"vegetable"to"incorporate."" “If" [ingredients]" are" damp," they" represent" a" health" hazard"because"you"don’t"want"them"to"be"moldy,”"he"says."" The" spice" blend" recipes" at" The" Salt" Table" come" a" lot" from" Carol" Legasse’s" imagination," sometimes" as" a" result" of" fellow"Georgia"businesses"requesting"custom"mixes." “Hunter" Cattle" wanted" some" rubs" for" pork" and" beef." We" came" up" with" blends" that" were" good" for" that,”" Legasse" says."" For" a" recent" road" race," The" Salt" Table" offered" a" flavorful"High"Performance"Blend"based"on"herbs"with" historical" medicinal" properties," including" turmeric" and" a" high" proportion" of" salt." Tybee" Island" has" a" custom" mix" made" for" seafood" —" its" ingredients" include" Himalayan" salt," black" peppercorns," shallots," celery," chives"and"green"onions"—and"this"year"The"Salt"Table" entered" Leek," Chive" &" Onion" Seasoning" &" Dip" Blend" into"the"Flavor"of"Georgia"food"product"contest,"which"
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includes" garlic," dill" and" red" pepper" in" addition" to" its" title" ingredients." The" Legasses" recommend" those" flavors" for" baked" potatoes," vegetables,"soups"and"omelets." To" help" Georgians" decide" which" spice" blend" to" try," Legasse" and" Sheffield" put" suggestions"on"each"product"label." “Put"the"Lavender"Salt"or"Rosemary"Salt" in"your"peach"cobbler."I"think"that"French"Picnic" or" Magic" Unicorn" is" so" good" on" poultry,”" Sheffield" says." “[We" label]" real" uses," not" just" ‘chicken" and" fish.’" It" says" like," ‘roasted" lemon" chicken’"or"‘fish"in"parchment.’”" Sheffield" says" garlic" in" a" blend" is" good" for" pretty" much" everything," as" are" milder" flavors" such" as" rosemary" and" parsley." Smoked" paprika"salts"and"seasoning"blends"are"versatile" in" poultry" and" fish," and" blends" that" contain" a" citrus" element" such" as" orange" or" lemon" peel" pairs" well" with" pork." As" for" blends" to" use" on" veggies,"here,"she"is"a"purist." “I’m" such" a" minimalist" with" fresh" vegetables,”" Sheffield" says." “I" think" the" more" simple"the"better.”" That’s" a" good" guideline" for" most" seasonings." “A" little" goes" a" long" way" with" these" flavors"if"you"build"a"flavor"profile"right."If"your" food" is" fresh" and" delicious," you" don’t" really" need"a"lot,”"Sheffield"says."" Though" they" do" provide" recipe" suggestions,"Legasse"says"there"aren’t"any"rules" as" to" what" folks" should" season" with." It’s" a" matter"of"personal"preference." “If" somebody" likes" pork" rub" on" their" shrimp,"it’s"OK"with"me,”"he"says."—#aCm'
This page | Salt and spice blends produced by The Salt Table, a seasoning company in Savannah. Photos | Dave Legasse, The Salt Table
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" " For'more'details,'including'costs'and'directions,'please'contact'each'individual'event'coordinator'at'the'email'or'phone'number' " provided.'Have'an'event'you’d'like'to'add?'Visit'www.agriCULTUREmagazine.net'and'submit'it'via'our'“holler'at'us”'feature.' .!
May#3# Vermicompost'Workshop' 1262"Government"Circle," Jonesboro" 770L473L5434" " May#4# Small'Livestock'for' Backyard'Farmers' 1400"Parker"Road," Conyers" 770L278L7373" # May#5# Abraham'Baldwin' Agricultural'College' Commencement' Howard"Auditorium," Tifton" www.abac.edu" " May#5#–#7#" Dixie'Cup'Spring'Classic' Georgia"International" Horse"Park,"Conyers" 770L475L1244" " May#6# Morgan'County'Row' Crop'Association'Meeting' Madison"Chop"House" Grille,"Madison" 706L342L2214" # May#7# Third'Annual'Strawberry' Festival' Jaemor"Farm,"Alto" 770L869L3999" Good'Boats'for'Goodwill' Annual'Dragon'Boat' Festival' Augusta" 706L821L2349" Native'Landscape'Plants' Workshop' Cherokee"County"Senior" Services"Center,"Canton"
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770L721L7803" Georgia'4`H'Food'Product' Development'Contest' UGA"Food"Science"Building," Athens" 706L542L9237" Container'Gardening' Workshop' Chestatee"Community" Building,"Gainesville" 770L887L2418" Fort'Valley'State'University' Commencement' HPE"Complex" www.fvsu.edu" " May#7#–#8##" Gardens'for'Connoisseurs' Tour' Atlanta"Botanical"Garden," Atlanta" 404L876L5859" Atlanta'Rose'Show' Atlanta"Botanical"Garden," Atlanta" 404L876L5859" " May#10" Columbia'County'Cultivators' Meeting' Jones"Creek"Golf"Club" House,"Evans" 706L541L4011" Alfalfa'Workshop'and'Field' Day' 280"Busha"Road,"Carnesville" 706L542L1529" Vegetable'Gardening'Class' Paulding"County"Extension" Office,"Dallas" 770L443L7616" Beginning'Pork'Production' Meeting' Morgan"County"Extension" Office,"Madison" 706L342L2214" " "
May#11# Alfalfa'Workshop'and'Field' Day' 1282"State"Road"53"Spur," Calhoun" 706L542L1529" " May#12# Alfalfa'Workshop'and'Field' Day' 900"Newnan"Road," Carrollton" 706L542L1529" " May#13# University'of'Georgia' Commencement' Sanford"Stadium,"Athens" Commencement.uga.edu" " May#14" National'Astronomy'Day' Coastal"Georgia"Botanical" Gardens,"Savannah" 706L821L2349" Endangered'Species'Day' Atlanta"Botanical"Garden," Atlanta" 404L876L5859" Garden'Hardware:'Backyard' Ag'Series' Ag"Agent"Research"Garden," Canton" 770L721L7830" " May#18#–#21#" Young'Harris/UGA' Beekeeping'Institute' Young"Harris" 770L744L5280" " May#20#–#21#" Georgia'Urban'AG'&' Outdoor'Expo' Gwinnett"County" Fairgrounds,"Lawrenceville" 678L407L8820" "
May#21" Color'in'Motion'5k' Georgia"International" Horse"Park,"Conyers" www.colorinmotion5k.c om" Container'Gardening' Workshop" Cherokee"County"Senior" Services"Center,"Canton" 770L721L7803" Blueberry'Cooking' Contest' 203"S."Dixon"Street," Alma" 912L632L5601" Shields`Ethridge' Heritage'Farm' Cultivators’'Market' ShieldsLEthridge" Heritage"Farm,"Jefferson" 706L367L8877" " May#24# Hunting`Lease'Land'and' Wildlife"Management" Seminar" 607"Thompson"Street," Homer" 706L677L6230" " May#26# Growing'Dahlias'in'the' South' Clayton"County" International"Park," Jonesboro" 770L473L5434" " May#28" Succulents'Workshop' Cherokee"County"Senior" Services"Center,"Canton" 770L721L7803!
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<< THIS COULD BE YOUR PHOTO! " "
Enter"your"picture"in"next"month’s"photo" contest"and"you"could"win"some"yumLazing"swag" and"prizes"from"our"featured"farmers,"artists"and" artisans,"plus"be"featured"on"this"page!" " This"month"we"invite"you"to"enter"the"aCm" July"photo"contest"(yes,"we"know"it’s"only"May!)"for" a"chance"to"take"home"salt"blends"from"Beautiful" Briny"Sea."We"selected"its"popular"Magic"Unicorn" blend"and"Hot"Steve,"which"was"a"2016"Flavor"of" Georgia"finalist,"to"tuck"inside"a"drawstring"bag"for" the"July"winner."Here’s"what"you"need"to"know"to" enter:" " Theme:#Do"the"‘Que!"This"July,"we’re"high"on"the" hog"and"celebrating"everything"PLILG"in"a"big"way." Enter"your"photos"of"your"favorite"Georgia" barbeque"dish,"restaurant"or"chef." Deadline:"May"30""" How#to#Enter:"You"can"email"us"photos"to" contact.agriCULTUREmagazine@gmail.com"or" submit"them"via"Facebook,"Twitter"or"Instagram."In" order"to"enter"via"social"media,"the"picture"must"be" made"public"(otherwise"we"won’t"see"it)"and"tagged"with"#aCmDoTheQue."" Voting:#We’ll"upload"entries"to"our"Facebook"page"(and"tease"to"it"on"Twitter"and"Instagram)"in"a"special"photo"album,"and" the"winner"will"be"determined"by"popular"vote"between"8"a.m."June"1"through"5"p.m."June"5."Each"“like”"on"the"photo" during"that"time"period"counts"as"a"vote!" No#one#likes#rules,#but#we#have#to#play#fair,#so#here#are#the#contest#guidelines:# • Contest"is"open"to"subscribers"only,"but"voting"is"up"to"the"public!"To"subscribe,"visit"our"website"and"click"the" market"link." • Include"your"first"name,"last"name"and"city,"as"well"as"a"brief"description"of"what’s"going"on"in"the"photo."The" names"of"anyone"photographed"must"be"included"in"the"caption!" • Photos"must"incorporate"the"theme"as"outlined"above."If"it"doesn’t"fit"the"theme"it"won’t"be"uploaded"for"voting." • Photos"and"captions"must'not,'under'any'circumstances,'or'we'will'tell'your'mama,"contain"nudity,"obscene" language,"illegal"activity"and"anything"else"you’d"be"afraid"to"show"your"daddy,"grandma"or"kindergarten"teacher." • Only"one"photo"can"be"submitted"per"subscriber"each"month." • Any"photos"you"submit"MUST"be"photos"you"take!"" • Please"only"send"photos"that"are"1"MB"or"larger"in"file"size."Anything"smaller"won’t"show"up"well"in"the"magazine." Still#got#questions?"Shoot"us"a"message"through"the"website"or"social"media"and"we’ll"be"happy"to"answer"it!"
Don’t#forget:"We"have"a"special"photo"contest"for"the"agSPROUTS"cover"each"quarter!"Stay"tuned"to" the"June"issue"for"deadline,"theme"and"other"pertinent"info"so"your"young"readers"can"enter"to"have"their" picture"on"the"September"front"cover."We’ll"also"post"the"information"on"#backporchblog." !
21!
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It’s"somewhere" in" the" commandments" of" being" a" Southerner" that"Georgians"need"to" own" at" least" one" monogrammed"item"at" some" point" in" their" lives."With"monograms" —" a" person’s" first," middle" and" last" initial" —"cropping"up"all"over"
the"place"these"days,"finding"them"and"customizing"them"is"easy."And"with"a"plethora"of"Georgia"artists"and" crafters"who"specialize"in"monogramming,"shopping"for"monogrammed"items"as"gifts"or"treats"for"yourself" supports"small"business"in"the"Peach"State."In"fact,"the"online"store"Etsy"brings"up"more"than"45,000"results" for"GeorgiaLmade"monogrammed"clothes,"accessories,"jewelry"and"homegoods."We"searched"and"found"our" top"10"items"we"think"y’all"need"to"invest"in"for"a"stylish"summer"of"fun." 3.#Beach#spikes:"The"only"thing"worse" than"sand"in"your"sandwich"is"sand"in" 1.# The# fishing# shirt:" Whether" your" beer." Beach" spikes" are" plastic" it’s"as"a"coverLup"on"the"beach" koozies" with" a" spike" that" allow" them" or" as" sport" gear" on" the" boat," to" be" anchored" in" the" sand," keeping" ventilated" fishing" shirts" are" a" cans," bottles" and" Solo" cups" gritLfree." mustLhave" for" hot" Southern" Many"Georgia"artists"offer"a"variety"of" summers." Most" of" this" style" monogram" varieties" perfect" for" shirt" dry" quickly," are" designed" celebrating" summer," such" as" palm" with" UV" protection" and" come" in" shortL" or" longL trees," crabs," surfboards," even" the" American" flag." sleeved" styles." The" most" popular" monogram" Shown' here:' Sand' Spiker' beach' drink' holder' from' areas" are" on" the" front" pocket" or" on" the" back" Paper'Shay,'Atlanta" vented" area." Colors" range" from" neutrals" to" onL 4.# Wine# sippies:" Summer" days" are" trend" brights." Shown' here:' Women’s' Columbia' excellent" for" laying" by" the" pool" or" PFG' monogrammed' fishing' shirt' from' Gee' Gee' sitting" on" the" patio" enjoying" a" chilled" Gifts,'Evans" white" wine," but" the" concrete" or" tile" is" 2.# Kids’# bathing# suits:" So" long" to" not" the" most" conducive" surface" to" a" the" old" habit" of" writing" your" wine"glass."Enter"the"plastic"wine"glass," child’s" initials" on" his" tags" before" a"sippy"cup"of"sorts"for"adults."They"won’t"shatter"if" turning" him" loose" at" day" camp" —" dropped" and" have" a" lid." These" are" typically" it’ll" be" easy" to" tell" which" monogrammed" with" vinyl," and" you’re" advised" to" seersucker" trunks" are" his" now!" keep"‘em"out"of"the"dishwasher."Shown'here:'Glitter' Embroidered" girls’" bathing" suits" monogrammed' wine' tumbler' from' Crafter' Hours,' and" boys’" swim" trunks" are" Atlanta" growing" in" popularity," and" if" 5.# Water# level# bottles:" According" to" parents" really" want," they" can" hop" experts" at" the" Harvard" T.H." Chan" School" on" the" bandwagon" too" and" of" Public" Health," the" amount" of" water" commission" coordinating" motherLdaughter" or" each" Georgian" needs" daily" depends" on" fatherLson"suits."Shown'here:'Girls'swim'suit'set' their" diet," the" weather" and" their" activity" in' mint' from' Southern' Prep' Boutique,' level." So" though" it’s" impossible" to" set" a" Greensboro;'and'boys'seersucker'swim'suit'from' 22! ! Darcey'Lane'Designs,'Byron"
requirement," it" is" recommended" to" drink" #water" more" of" it" and" less" of" beverages" higher" in" sugar." bottles" that" measure" how" much" a" person" #Water" drinks" are" a" hot" item," and" monogrammers"
8.# Beach# towels:" Be" it" the" beach,"the"lake,"the"pool"or"the" backyard," chances" are" Georgians" plan" to" get" out" in" the" sun" this" summer." After" lathering"on"generous"layers"of" sunscreen,"the"next"thing"to"do" is" lay" out" on" a" styling" monogrammed" beach" towel." Depending" on" the" method" of" monogramming," some" are"
6.# Coolers:# Jessica" Badour," the" recall" outreach" specialist" for" the" Georgia" Department" of" Agriculture," says" cold" food" needs" to" stay" cold." Hot" temperatures" —" and"by"“hot,”"she"means"above"40"
printed"onto"the"towel,"others"embroidered,"and"the" fabric" can" be" lightweight" or" terrycloth." Shown' here:' Monogram'crown'jewels'beach'towel'from'Little'Bit' Sassy'Designs,'Douglasville" " 9.# Mood# lighting:" Prolong" the" warm" summer" nights" with" a" tea" light" or" candle"lit"in"a"monogrammed"lantern" or" outdoorLsafe" candleholder." The" combination" of" flickering" light" and" fireflies"will"be"sure"to"bring"plenty"of"
followed" the" trend" by" offering" personalized" versions." As" temperatures" rise" during" the" next" several" months," having" one" of" these" handy" may" not" be" a" bad" idea." Shown' here:' Monogrammed' 34`ounce'water'level'bottle'from'Alfonso'Designs,' Alpharetta"
degrees" Fahrenheit" —" can" lead" to" bacteria" and" other" microorganisms" turning" your" picnic" into" a" food" safety" disaster." She" says" to" fill" monogrammed" coolers" about" threeLquarters" full" with" cold" food," then" pack" the" remaining" fourth" with" ice" or" ice" packs." The" Food" Safety" Division" also" recommends" for" Georgians" to" purchase" a" food" thermometer" to" keep" in" the" cooler" so" the" temperature" can" be" monitored" regularly," especially"for"picnics"and"beach"trips"that"require" longer" car" rides." Shown' here:' Monogram' anchor' insulated' cooler' bag' from' SCPersonal' Touch,' Vidalia" 7.# Koozies:" There" is" no" end" to" the" variety" of" monogrammed" koozies" on" the" market." They" can" be" foam," cloth" wrap," plastic," stiff," flexible," burlap" …" the" list" goes" on." And" the" style" of" monogram" itself" varies" too." Regardless"of"its"style,"koozies"are"the"mustLhave" accessory"from"April"to"the"end"of"football"season" to"ensure"beer"and"soda"stay"cold."Just"remember" to" recycle" your" bottles" and" cans" in" a" monogrammed" recycling" bin" after" imbibing." Shown' here:' Monogrammed' Mason' jar' burlap' can'wrap'from'Southern'Girl'Threads,'Hoschton" !
memories." Shown' here:' Monogrammed' LED' tea' light' lantern' from' Recycled' Revival,'Atlanta' ' " 10.#Hats#and#caps:"Aside"from"helping" to" protect" faces" from" the" sun’s" rays," monogrammed" ball" caps" and" floppy" beach" hats" are" always" in" style." Plus," having" your" initials" on" them" will"certainly"help"to"find"them" when" a" rouge" wave" or" gust" of" wind" makes" them" go" flying." Shown' here:' Ladies' floppy' beach' hat' from' Little' Red' Hen' Sewing,' Warner' Robins;' Men’s' monogrammed'bio`washed'cotton'twill'baseball'cap' from'Mayfair'Monogram,'Watkinsville'—0aCm' "
agriCULTURE"Magazine'did'not'receive'any' compensation,'monetarily'or'otherwise,'for'listing' these'items'in'this'issue.'Shop'owners'were'notified' their'products'were'selected'for'inclusion'at'press' time.'All'shops'listed'here'are'located'online'via'Etsy,' though'some'do'have'brick'and'mortars."
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