Video: Make Your Own Upside Down Tomato Planter

Le Petit Marche

Le Petit Marche (The Little Market)

Provides artisan breads, gourmet cheeses and fine wines. Located in historic downtown Crystal Lake across from the Raue Center.

Hours:
Closed Sunday
Monday 11a - 5p
Tues and Weds 8:30a - 7:00p
Thurs thru Sat 8:30a - 8:00p

Directions and Contact Information:
19 N Williams St. Crystal Lake, Il 815-477-3296
petitmarche@sbcglobal.net

www.petitmarche.biz


View Larger Map

Cabbage and Hamburger Bake

This recipe is a great way to take advantage of that leftover head of cabbage (or the one on sale for $.19/lb in the grocery store). It's quick, easy and doesn't scream 'I'm cabbage'. In fact, with the Swiss cheese and caraway seed this recipe chimes with the faint taste of a Reuben. Thousand Island dressing would certainly work as an optional topper.

Ingredients:
2 cups of chopped cabbage, steamed
1 lb hamburger, browned
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/4 tsp salt
2 oz Swiss cheese
1 tbsp onion
1/4 tsp caraway seed

Instructions:
1. Pre-heat oven at 350 degrees.
2. Heat the milk and add swiss cheese and spices.
3. Stir until smooth.
4. Layer browned hamburger and steamed cabbage in casserole dish. Pour sauce over top.
5. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Woodstock Farmers Market

The Woodstock Farmers Market is a producers’ market, allowing only product that was grown or produced by local farmers. Market vendors sell spinach, asparagus, tomatoes, sweet corn, apples, and much more. You’ll also find baked goods, honey, natural beef, pork, poultry, and eggs; fine wines, plants and flowers and delicious cheeses as well as jewelry and craft items.

Hours:
May - October, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
On Woodstock Square, Woodstock Illinois

Contact: Keith at 815-338-5164 or by e.mail at blueloom@sbcglobal.net

http://www.woodstockfarmersmarket.org/

Featured Local Vendors:
More Than Delicious Orchard
Von Bergen's Country Market
Willow Lea Stock Farm



View Larger Map

More Than Delicious Orchard

Mike & Velma Downes
9905 Thompson Rd.
Woodstock, IL 60098

Offers over 80 varieties of apples and pears, including many antique heirloom apples. Also offers a selection on local honey.

U-pick hours September thru October. Price per bushel is $50.00, which is approximately $1.19 per pound. Cash or checks accepted.

vmdownes@gmail.com

http://www.morethandelicious.com/


View Larger Map

DIY: Making An Upside Down Tomato Planter

Why plant tomatoes (or anything else for that matter) upside down? Because it makes sense that's why!

For example, an upside down tomato plant eliminates:

• Ground fungus
• Harmful bacteria
• Cutworm damage
• Use of pesticides
• Digging and weeding
• Backbreaking work

Now, you could buy a hanging tomato planter, but what fun would that be? It's just as easy to do it yourself. See this step-by-step guide for building your own upside down tomato planter.

I did this last year for my tomatoes and it worked very well. As in the picture below, you can even engage in a little companion planting, with basil on top and your tomato plant underneath.

Eat More Illinois Food

A recent Illinois state task force recently concluded something that we here at Local Food in Northern Illinois have known all along: buying local isn't just good for the planet, or your health; it's good for our state economy too.

According to a recently published report by the Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force, if Illinoisans purchased just 10% of their groceries from local farmers and producers, it could generate $20 - $30 billion in economic activity by 2030.

I love it when Main Street and Wall Street come together.

The task force also recommended:

• That government set up infrastructure that makes it easier for farmers to get produce to the right people in the right condition.

• That government help facilitate deals between Illinois farmers and potential customers including those who make chow for Illinois schools, hospitals,prisons, nursing homes, universities and more.

• Improving health in the state by bringing fresh local produce to areas thatare overserved by fast food chains and underserved by greengrocers.

Support these bills as they move through the state legislature!

2009 Northern Illinois Planting Calendar

Plant	Time	Planting Dates
Barley		May 15-Jun 21
Beans	(E)	May 7-Jun 21
	(L)	Jun 15-Jul 15
Beets	(E)	May 1-15
	(L)	Jul 15-Aug 15
Broccoli plants	(E)	May 15-31
	(L)	Jun 15-Jul 7
Brussel sprouts		May 15-31
Cabbage plants		May 15-31
Carrots	(E)	May 15-31
	(L)	Jun 15-Jul 21
Cauliflower plants	(E)	May 15-31
	(L)	Jun 15-Jul 21
Celery plants	(E)	May 15-Jun 30
	(L)	Jul 15-Aug 15
Collards	(E)	May 15-31
	(L)	Jul 1-Aug 7
Corn, sweet	(E)	May 10-Jun 15
	(L)	Jun 15-30
Cucumbers		May 7-Jun 20
Eggplant plants		Jun 1-30
Endive	(E)	May 15-31
	(L)	Jun 7-30
Kale	(E)	May 15-31
	(L)	Jul 1-Aug 7
Leeks		May 15-31
Lettuce		May 15-Jun 30
Muskmelons		May 15-Jun 30
Okra		Jun 15-Jul 10
Onion sets		May 15-Jun 7
Parsley		May 15-31
Parnsips		Apr 1-30
Peas	(E)	Apr 15-May 7
	(L)	Jul 15-31
Pepper plants		May 15-Jun 30
Potatoes		May 1-31
Pumpkins		May 15-31
Radishes	(E)	Apr 15-30
	(L)	Aug 15-31
Spinach	(E)	May 15-31
	(L)	Jul 17-Sep 7
Squashes		May 15-Jun 15
Sweet potatoes		May 15-Jun 15
Swiss chard		May 1-31
Tomato plants		May 15-31
Turnips	(E)	Apr 7-30
	(L)	Jul 1-Aug 15
Watermelons		May 15-Jun 30
Wheat, spring		Apr 7-30
Wheat, winter		Aug 11-Sep 15

PS - If you're not based in north central illinois, try this website!