Happy Easter from Rural Sprout!You’ll have to excuse me, friends. This week’s missive will be a bit short. This is my annual weekend for spring cleaning the house. I’ve been scrubbing and mopping and vacuuming and dusting and polishing and washing. I was able to put the first load of laundry on the clothesline to dry yesterday. There’s nothing quite so wonderful as crawling into your bed at the end of the day, dog-tired, with sheets that have dried in the sunshine. While I was hanging laundry, I noticed all the dandelion greens starting to pop up. It looks like I’ll be making
pickled dandelion ‘capers’ this week. Â
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Crunchy, tangy capers are a staple in Mediterranean dishes. These tiny buds pack a flavorful punch and go great in everything from seafood to the classic chicken piccata. Normally, there's no way you could pickle
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The northern spicebush deserves a spot in your yard, you won't find a shrub with more going for it than this incredible native species.
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Violet syrup is simple to make and adds a beautiful pop of color to spring drinks. Grab a basket, pick some violets, and let's make a batch!
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The days are getting longer, the light is softening, and there's a warm breeze in the air. It must be April. April is one of those months when I catch myself saying "what a difference
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You can never have too much fresh rosemary. Easily propagate new rosemary plants with stem cuttings and a little patience.
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Take a look around your flower garden. There are probably edible plants in there you didn't even know about.
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Each spring, as we move our seedlings out into the garden, we have a once-a-year opportunity. But so many gardeners let it pass by. This is your chance to put a few little important extras
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If you're new to growing peas this year, by now, you're noticing they're getting pretty tall. And you're probably scratching your head and thinking, "I wonder if these need a trellis or something?" Whether or
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Designing and maintaining a front yard vegetable garden gives you more than just beautiful veggies, it promotes community too!
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The peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is also known as the groundnut, goober or monkey nut. It is a legume that is grown primarily for its edible seeds. Widely grown in the tropics and subtropics, peanuts can
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Biting into a perfect, tree-ripened peach could be the culinary highlight of your summer. That is, if you know the best varieties to plant: three to four years in advance. Let's be honest, it takes
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Nature really is a mad scientist. Take the litchi tomato as a prime example of a smattering of weird and wonderful traits, all in one plant. With its deeply lobed green leaves, sprawling habit, and
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When those first couple of sunny spring days show up, it's time to head out to the garden shed, grab your tools and wake up the garden for another season of tomatoes, carrots, fresh rhubarb,
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Did you miss a newsletter or want to  read a few for inspiration? Find past newsletters here. Don't forget to  visit our Facebook page for daily updates. |
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