Doing a little moving around
Things on this page may get confusing for a little while, and I am not talking about my spelling or grammar. As things are added to the site I have had to change pages around hopefully for the better. Saffron and Ginger are the two that really got us growing spices. When I had room I liked them having their own pages. I am going to move turmeric even though it goes great with ginger in recipes and in the garden. It will go under Spices. Saffron will be put with ginger since they help start this. Then Saffron's page will be free to convert. This website is being designed on a computer so if possible you should try and view it that way
Emerging saffron from existing bulbs
Saffron is another sign of fall
The only new bed that wasn't eaten by under ground critters over the winter. Still have another bed that is several years old and planted 500 new ones this fall with the protection of hardware cloth. Ran out of room so planted some in produce crates. They are planted them tight
Saffron, From the landscape to the garden
The bulbs have all been planted and there was enough salvaged wood to do all the beds. This started from reading "Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History", written by Bill Laws. Saffron blooms at a time of the year the yard is lacking color, has a long history, and used so many different ways. So it was decided to add them to flower beds for color and as a conversation plant. Saffron doesn't make a good landscape plant though. Everything eats it or damages it. Moles, Voles, Chipmunks, Squirrels, Deer, and rabbits love it. Several years ago what was left of the saffron was moved into the garden and protected. It multiplied but only inside the holes dug in the heavy clay and some bulbs were as small as BB's. Last year about 200 bulbs were moved into a new raised bed. They did well enough to do a trial and 500 more bulbs were ordered fall of 2021. Saffron is one herb like several food products that we can buy but get something else completely. Safflower or corn silk are commonly used by some sellers. To maximize profits and lower costs some farmers only hire labors to pick the saffron 2 to 3 times a week. I harvest everyday to preserve the quality. I collect on a ceramic plate and it is separated and dehydrated right after picking
No flowers but look healthy
Supply Chain Delays
caused the new bulbs to come late & the saffron that was already here was up. If this weeks temps do not bring out flowers it was a waste to buy the large production bulbs. But may still add more next year. Everything I got this year came from existing bulbs
Educational and Source links
University of Vermont
The best overview of the whole plant. Again a State University
The best overview of the whole plant. Again a State University
The best information you can find usually comes from our state universities. you just have to find what universities are doing the research you are looking for. Great people here very helpful. Glad to be able to learn from them. Site is about growing and harvesting
The best overview of the whole plant. Again a State University
The best overview of the whole plant. Again a State University
The best overview of the whole plant. Again a State University
This spice is so costly due to the struggle and effort of cultivation. Also it is revered for its luxurious taste (found in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food), pleasant aroma sometimes used as perfume, beautiful color seen in the dyes it produces, and its many medical benefits. With its many benefits, adaptations, and interactions, there is no question why saffron has grown to be the most expensive and revered spice in the world.
Saffron Harvesting and Drying: Tricks of the Trade
Saffron Harvesting and Drying: Tricks of the Trade
Saffron Harvesting and Drying: Tricks of the Trade
Arash Ghalehgolabbehbahani, North American Center for Saffron Research & Development, Univ. of Vermont . He will discuss the finer points of harvesting and drying saffron. He will also share information about drying and the relationship with drying temperature and quality.
Hans Estrin, UVM Extension, Product Safety Accreditation Program Coordinator, will highlight the importance of good hygiene during harvesting and post-harvest handling.
Program topics:
• When to harvest the flowers and how to handle them afterwards
• Flower separation procedures
• Proper hygiene to produce high quality products
• Saffron drying
Saffron petal as a new pharmacological target
Saffron Harvesting and Drying: Tricks of the Trade
Saffron Harvesting and Drying: Tricks of the Trade
Saffron petal is containing of several compounds such as mineral agents, anthocyanins, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids and kaempferol. As saffron petal is cheaper and produces in large amounts compared to saffron stigma. In this review different pharmacological properties of saffron petal such as anti-bacterial, anti-spasmodic, immunomodulatory, anti-tussive, anti-depressant, anti-nociceptive, hepato-protective, reno-protective, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant activity have been introduced. According to these properties, saffron petal can be used as an alternative or supplementary medicine in some diseases.
Ginger, What started It
It was simple enough, a left over piece of ginger that had enough life to start sprouting, placed in dirt it grew. That winter it was brought into the basement. Left to grow, it multiplied enough to start experimenting with various was to grow it. 4 or 5 years later the realization came that it could be grown by putting in the work. But to put in the work meant finding ginger worth the work so all new organic seed was ordered from Hawaii. While searching for the ginger came the discovery of various types of Turmeric. Indira Yellow, Red Hawaiian, White Mango, and BKK were ordered. All this happened because of the desire to fill a void in the garden made by finally giving into the fact it had to much shade and each summer visit with Dad nets you about a week and half of produce from his garden. The brown ginger root below is the seed ginger that was originally ordered.
Fresh Baby ginger is pretty & pink plus doesn't need to be peeled. This ginger needs hilling.
End of the Season
Additional Information
The ginger & turmeric was harvested before the first frost which was the same day temps went down to the mid 20s. There was a vision of taking pictures as the things were dug but real work interfered and it was dug in the dark with head lamps. This season-- The beds are a mix of the heavy clay native soil & manure, compost, sandy loam soil, & raised bed mixes. Chicken manure was applied several weeks after they started to emerge and continued every two weeks. An application of potash 01OCT was last. As the season came to an end a workshop was attended at VSU on ginger and turmeric. It was interesting to see the things they were doing and working towards. They actually top dress with a slow release fertilizer and then feed a liquid fertilizer daily. So one lesson learned was the ginger and turmeric are not getting enough fertilizer. Going to contact Espoma and see what they recommend but will stick to chicken manure. At this point in the season the key thing to learn was that turmeric can stay in the ground for a while after the tops are cut giving you time to use it. One thing that will be done next year is to grow the ginger in grow bags outside the garden. Deer and rabbits do not bother it and VSU verified that ginger has the potential damage the soil for growing it and other things as well. Since there isn't room to rotate crops some type of bags will be used.
Golden Milk- Great recipe find! Nice to have a way to enjoy both ginger and tumeric
de·li·cious ways to enjoy
Ginger Chicken Stir Fry
CROCKPOT PEAR APPLESAUCE RECIPE WITH GINGER
Ginger Chicken Stir Fry
Ginger Chicken Stir Fry is an amazing combination of crispy chicken, broccoli, red bell pepper, onion and snow peas in a slightly sweet ginger lemon honey sauce. It is quick to come together and can be made in a wok or a large skillet
Couldn't find one I like so will create a Southern Fried Ginger chicken drizzled in honey this fall
Pear-Ginger Applesauce
CROCKPOT PEAR APPLESAUCE RECIPE WITH GINGER
Ginger Chicken Stir Fry
Can't wait to try this one, could be a make ahead of time holiday side dish. I could see cinnamon maybe being added especially if you go the no sugar route
CROCKPOT PEAR APPLESAUCE RECIPE WITH GINGER
CROCKPOT PEAR APPLESAUCE RECIPE WITH GINGER
CROCKPOT PEAR APPLESAUCE RECIPE WITH GINGER
This easy crockpot pear applesauce with ginger takes very little effort when made in the slow cooker. It's great when eaten on its own or as a condiment or ice cream topper.
Plan to play around with the applesauce recipes this fall. These two will be the base
Good Eats- TV show
Ginger Saffron Ice Cream
CROCKPOT PEAR APPLESAUCE RECIPE WITH GINGER
Ginger Saffron Ice Cream
Ginger Saffron Ice Cream
Ginger Saffron Ice Cream
I know! This combination of flavors sounds amazing doesn’t it? Ginger Honey Saffron ice cream is a flavor that my daughter Anjali gave me the idea for when she sent me a text with a photo of this ice cream she was having at a new ice cream parlor here in Los Gatos called Glazier Rolls. “You will love it Mom! They add saffron milk to the ice cream and then combine it with candied ginger pieces and honey and then top it with more ginger candy and drizzle of honey!”
Pickled Ginger
Ginger Saffron Ice Cream
Ginger Saffron Ice Cream
Japanese Pickled ginger is also known as “Gari” in Japanese. You will always find pretty soft pink thin ginger slices pickled in sweet rice vinegar mixture accompanying sushi. You know, it is not difficult to make. It is quite simple and is much healthier if you make your own as you know it contains no artificial preservatives.
Health & Skin Care Benefits
Immune Boosting Ginger Tea
Immune Boosting Ginger Tea (also called fresh ginger tea and ginger root tea) is a warm and soothing immune boosting tea made with fresh ginger root. I love the flavor of this tea, but there’s also important ginger tea benefits worthy of noting. It’s rich with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties
How to use ginger to improve the health of your skin and hair at home
Employ the anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial properties of ginger to solve any issue you may have
Helpful Resources
Presentations from 24OCT19 Field Day
Presentations given during the Annual Field Day. Multiple Lecturers
Ginger and Turmeric, Matt Ernst1 and Kristi Durbin2
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) both have a long history of use in Asian, African and Caribbean cuisines. Fresh ginger is available year-round in the U.S. and Canada from produce wholesalers sourcing from global suppliers, and both are widely available in their dried, ground form that is produced from their underground rhizomes.