Columns

Are you ready for spud season? If you want to grow your own potatoes, it’s time to dig into the dirt and get planting.

Not only are potatoes simple to grow, but they also pack a punch of essential nutrients, including calcium, iron, potassium and vitamins B6 and C. With 2 grams of dietary fiber and 3 grams of protein per serving plus a healthy dose of prebiotic resistant starch, they’re a nutritious addition to any plate and garden.

Planting potatoes in Louisiana kicks off as early as mid-January in the southern region and extends through February. We recommend planting between Jan. 15 and Feb. 15, with north Louisiana starting a little later.

Potatoes originated in South America, tracing back to the Inca of Peru around 8000 to 5000 B.C. Spanish conquistadors brought them to Europe, and Sir Walter Raleigh introduced them to Ireland – the country many of us associate with potatoes – in 1589.

Native Plants, Moon Gardens and Cyber Lime Are Gardening Trends to Watch in 2024

Every year, a series of gardening surveys is conducted to determine evolving trends in home gardening, consumer interests, perspectives and the types of information they value. The title of Garden Media’s 2024 Garden Trends Report, “Eco-optimism,” speaks volumes about the ecological consciousness of home gardeners.

Some interesting findings from the survey: About 67% of Americans aged 18 to 23 report experiencing “eco-anxiety,” described by a persistent fear of environmental catastrophes fueled by the 50% increase in the frequency of climate-related disasters since 2000. Last year ranked among the top 10 warmest years on record, and in the South, we had some record-breaking droughts.

Ketchup or Catsup?

How do you pronounce this famous American condiment? It probably depends on where you’re from – kinda like the different pronunciations of ‘Pee-Can’, ‘Pa-Con’, or ‘Pee-cOn’. AND we Louisianans love to make fun of Yankees saying ‘Cray-fish’ instead of ‘CRAW-Fish’ as God intended.

Anyway, February’s National Geographic had a big article on “How Ketchup Made Food Safer” by Deborah Blum. She belives that we don’t really know where the name came from but, perhaps, from a 6th century Asian sauce made from fermented fish and called “Ke-Tsiap” (Ga- Aaak!). She reports that our “Ketchup” first came on the market in the late 19th century but it was a thin sauce made from tomato scraps and thickened with anything from ground pumpkin rinds to apple pumace and dyed a deceptive red or put in colored glass containers to hide the appearance and condition of the contents.

In case you’ve forgotten, we have three dogs. No, that’s not true. we have two dogs, and Ruger has one. But, as with most family pets, only one person cares for all of them, Rebel is Ruger’s dog, but I feed her and pet her and let her outside and…well, you get the idea.

Recently, John found seven puppies wandering around Firetower Road. I won’t go into the irresponsibility of the action. It happens everywhere and it’s beyond contempt. But one puppy stole John’s heart, and he named the dog on the way to Animal Services. He even texted me pictures, and told the lady at the shelter if no one claimed the puppy she should let him know.

My first reaction was, “We have three dogs – we don’t need a fourth!” John shoved the photo of the brown and black tiny bit of a thing into my face, but I stayed strong. Well, I repeated my words but with less assurance.

History is in many forms and today’s article takes on a whimsical form yet is about one of our true icons of the mid 1900’s – Burma Shave. They introduced in 1925 a different and unique method to advertise their products. Originally a liniment and aftershave made from “Ingredients from the Malay Peninsula and Burma”. It grew into the top shaving creams through a series of road side signs that entertained the children and adults all over America.

Basil Lime Trout

While trying to decide what to cook for a Saturday dinner Susan and I agreed on Healthy, Simple, and Something we could cook together. While knocking several ideas around she asked me if I had any original recipes that I created that would fit the bill? After thinking a minute I remembered one I’d done back when I lived in Baton Rouge and suggested my Basil Lime Trout. She suggested a real Caesar Salad side and adding a Chardonnay we were on!

In cons i d ering local history our neighbor to the south is a must for us to consider. Sabine Parish has been a good neighbor to DeSoto since 1843 and the founding of the two parishes. Sabine was organized two months before DeSoto and it was taken solely from Natchitoches Parish whereas DeSoto took the southern half from Natchitoches and the north from Caddo Parish which was organized in 1838 from Natchitoches. There was some exchange of property with Sabine that straightened the southern boundary line of DeSoto.

Let’s get Shakin’ Hope everyone is enjoying those Grand Bal’s, and parades. That’s right it’s Mardi Gras Season here in the south. I’m looking forward to January 27th and attending the Krewe of Hebe Grand Bal in Jefferson, Texas for my second time as a member. Over the last few weeks since the twelfth night I have been sharing some of my favorite Mardi Gras Season recipes and this week is a treat for sure.

Love cornbread, of course, you do. Love crab cakes, who doesn’t? Stick with me here and let’s “mix it up” we are going to do them together for an awesome twist on the traditional crab cakes.

Cornbread Crab Cakes

Ingredients

1 (8-oz.) container sour cream 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2/3 cup finely diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup sliced green onions

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

1/3 cup mayonnaise (prefer Dukes)

What To Do In The Garden After A Freeze?

Put down the pruning shears.

With freezing temperatures across Louisiana and a dose of ice, sleet and even snow in some places, all of our gardens probably have suffered some damage. It’s tempting to rush outside to prune away unsightly damaged sections or even rip out entire plants — but you will have better results in the long run if you just wait.

Give plants time to recover. What seems to be dead now may show new signs of life later. And remember that winter isn’t over yet. We could still have more freezes — and more freeze damage.

Spring will be here soon enough. That will be the best time to prune plants that need a little help and remove those that didn’t pull through.

As Paul Harvey used to say in his syndicated radio program, “AND now you know the rest of the story!” Most readers of this article know the details of the Battle of Mansfield when Gen. Taylor’s Confederate Army soundly defeated Gen. Banks’ larger Union Army on April 8, 1865. Taylor suffered less than 1000 casualties whereas Banks lost 2200 men. His hasty retreat allowed Taylor to capture 20 cannon, 200 wagons full of supplies and hundreds of rifles. General Kirby Smith, the general over all of the Trans-Mississippi region, was in Shreveport, La. He told Taylor to not engage the Union forces in Mansfield but wait until just south of Shreveport which was the capital of Louisiana at that time. “Too late, Sir”, replied Taylor, “The battle is over and the Yankees are on the run”!