COPIA.org - Articles

How COPIA Trellises Our Tomatoes

Wed, 10 May 2006 16:20:29 -0700

Rusic Tomato Trellis
We use this trellis style exclusively in our Italian Cultural Garden. We start with 2x2 wooden stakes (redwood or similar) about 6-8 feet long and pound them into the ground at least 2 feet deep. For the tomatoes we space two rows about 20 inches apart and then every 4 feet or so down the bed. We then attach the branches (we used willow) to the stakes with plastic zip-ties. The zip-ties make the job go much faster than tying with twine or wire. These are good options as well.

The Four Basic Tenets of Pest Management at COPIA

Wed, 10 May 2006 16:13:11 -0700

It starts in the Soil
Like so many things in the garden, good pest management practices start with the soil. Strong, healthy plants that haven’t been over or under fertilized can tolerate and out grow many pest outbreaks. In order to grow a healthy plant we work to have healthy, balanced soils. This traces back to the use of biodynamic compost, worm castings, rock dust, oyster shell flour and balanced organic fertilizers. When we transplant a healthy plant into healthy soils, at the right time well, you get the idea…

Why Season with Kosher Salt?

Wed, 1 Feb 2006 14:04:37 -0800

By Linda Carucci, Julia Child Director of Culinary Programs

Until I started teaching cooking, I never really thought about the simple expression, “season to taste.” In cooking school, it’s drummed into you that salt brings out flavor. Now, when I teach seasoning to taste, I start by conducting a salt tasting in class. To keep it simple, we taste three salts that are widely available in Northern California, where I most often teach: Diamond Crystal kosher salt, table salt, and a finely ground sea salt. Why a specific brand of kosher salt? As explained in great detail in her excellent book CookWise, food scientist Shirley Corriher tells us that Diamond Crystal salt crystals are actually pyramids-as opposed to grains-which are much more likely to adhere to food. In fact, these hollow pyramids, or crystals, also dissolve twice as fast as granular salts, including Morton kosher salt.

Mediterranean Gold: Olive Oil

Wed, 1 Feb 2006 13:58:03 -0800

The olive tree, Olea europaea, has a history almost as long as the history of western civilization.

Since its development the olive has been a symbol of peace and of life’s bounty, the subject of mythology, a source of light, and the very flavor of the Mediterranean.

Early uses of olive oil include making soap, fuel for lamps, lubricant for machinery (the Romans used it as axle grease), and today jewelers use it to polish diamonds.

Hmong Students Visit COPIA

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 20:00:14 -0800

Recently, COPIA hosted nearly 90 Hmong students from Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, California to tour our gardens and exhibitions. I came into work early that morning feeling anxious about how I would explain our exhibition, Transplanting Culture: Hmong Gardeners in America, as the students are just learning English. For that matter, most arrived in the United States only six months ago from refugee camps in Thailand. I even chuckled thinking that if communication wasn’t an issue they could better tell me about the exhibition. After all, it’s their story!

Delicious Asian Vegetables

Sat, 17 Dec 2005 12:30:19 -0800

If you tend to relegate Asian greens to the exotic category, only encountered as restaurant fare, take another look. More and more, crisp, tasty, and nutritious Asian vegetables are turning up at markets all over the country – and these cooler winter months are the perfect time to explore their bright flavors.

Look for crisp leaves with strong, clear color and firm, crunchy-looking stalks. Avoid examples that have had too many old wilted leaves trimmed off., are bruised or yellowed, or have limp leaves or stems. Try shopping at stores that feature these vegetables rather than ones who display a few worn out examples in the unusual produce section.

Growing Olives

Sat, 17 Dec 2005 10:44:10 -0800

It is hard to imagine a Mediterranean garden without the beautiful gray-green leaves of the olive tree. It seems they have become as synonymous with Wine Country as the grape vines themselves, and for good reason. If you have ever sat beneath a mature olive tree on a warm summer evening, enjoying the rich flavor of cured olives with a glass of a nice fruity Syrah you know what I mean.

Crop Protection

Sat, 17 Dec 2005 10:30:44 -0800

In California, we are blessed with a climate that allows for nearly year round gardening. In most regions of the United States, however, you will need to moderate the winter climate to enjoy fresh harvests throughout the winter months. There are a variety of plants that are hardy enough to survive most any winter if properly protected.