The Bell Pepper Sex Scandal

By Jill Henderson – Show Me Oz –

Have you seen this image floating around the internet claiming that one can determine the sex of a bell pepper by the number of bumps on the bottom?  Whoever posted the original image* claimed that those peppers that had four lobes were “female”, while those with only three lobes were “male”.   They expounded on their theory by explaining that “…female peppers are full of seeds, but sweeter and better for eating raw and the males are better for cooking.”  Is this true or just a mammoth hoax to burn away your precious time trying to find out?

Rain in a Parched Landscape

By Jill Henderson – Show Me Oz –

Water is the lifeblood of all living things.  Without it, hard times are sure to come.  In the Ozarks, periodic summer drought is common in the months surrounding July and August, but the prolonged drought of the last four or five years has had everyone on the edge of their seats, watching and waiting and hoping that this summer would be different.  In some ways it’s been very good.  Early moisture and much cooler temperatures have made a huge difference.  But as most summers go here, we hit the wall with a continued drought.

Seeds & Spice: The Abundance of Herbs

By Jill Henderson – Show Me Oz –

If you grow  herbs in your garden for seasoning food, then you already know how easy and rewarding they can be.  After all, herbs season and preserve food and can be used for medicinal purposes, as well.  But did you know that many common herbs also produce spice in the form of fruits or seeds?  These seeds are not only flavorful and medicinal, but they can also be used to  start more herbs in the spring, as well.

Growing Herbs & Spices in the Home Garden

By Jill Henderson – Show Me Oz –

If you are one of the millions of people who began gardening for the first time, or have returned to gardening within the last six years, then you already know that growing your own food saves money, increases self-sufficiency, and leads to a healthier lifestyle.  Yet, among those who grow a wide variety of edible plants, many have not yet tuned into the fun and simplicity of growing their own herbs and spices.  So if you have been thinking about growing your own, but just haven’t gotten around to it, then this article is for you.

Easy Canning Jar Sauerkraut

By Jill Henderson – Show Me Oz –

This has been the best year for gardening in a long (long) time.  The heat and drought of the last four all but strangled either my desire to garden or the garden itself.  Good thing gardening is in my DNA – I couldn’t leave it if I wanted to.  And this year, Dean and I were doubly rewarded for our efforts to take a slab of hard red clay and rock and turn it into a garden.  To celebrate the most beautiful cabbage we have grown in 20 years of gardening, I decided to make a little homemade sauerkraut.