Your mobile device should be automatically redirected. If not, find the “goMobile!” button on the main page, or point your device to http://m.dinnerbeat.com.

Food in Season
As we move from Spring to Summer, the changing seasons remind us of the different types of food that grow during various parts of the year. It used to be that people could only eat what was growing at that particular time of the month. These days, however, with the advances in science and the global marketplace, it seems there’s no such thing as “off-season” fruits. It’s not unusual to order a nice tomato salad at a restaurant in the middle of December.
Eating in-season produce does have its benefits. For one, it’s easier on the wallet. In-season fruit is less expensive than fruit that has to be flown in, due to the extra transportation costs. For another, it’s easier on the taste buds. Off-season food needs to be picked before its perfect ripeness to ensure that it doesn’t rot during shipping. Finally, it’s easier on the body. Eating seasonally forces you to eat different fruits and vegetables at different times of year, ensuring that you get a variety of vitamins and not just the ones found in your favorite produce. But whether they are local or not, vegetables and fruits are a vital part of a healthy diet.


Think having your own garden this spring is impossible? You don’t need a large backyard or 20 hours a week to have fresh ingredients on hand when you plan your meals. Believe it or not, some of the best herbs, vegetables and even fruits thrive even in the simplest container gardens. Here are some easy tips to help you get started:

1) Type of container:
Aside from choosing a good-size container, you should take other thing into consideration. Dark colored containers absorb more heat than light-colored ones, which can overheat and damage the roots. Choose a container that has a good drainage to let out excess water.

2) Sunlight:
A container garden will need an average of 5 hours of sunlight per day, though some plants can tolerate and benefit from more, such as cucumbers and tomatoes.

3) Water:
Plants in containers require more frequent intervals of watering – don’t wait until the leaves become wilted.

4) Soil:
Try to get some good potting soil (and mixing it with some good compost if possible) that retains moisture.

What are your own experiences with planting a container garden? We’d love to hear from you, so send us an email at DinnerBeat@DinnerBeat.com.

Labels: Updates