December is a special time for gardeners. Here at Mequoda Publishing Network we do not want you to miss this delicious 8-course holiday meal straight from the garden of Food Gardening Network! In New England, we’re harvesting the last of our late fall and early winter crops, like carrots, potatoes, kale, Brussels sprouts, and other cool-weather vegetables. While the outdoor garden may be heading into dormancy for a few months, there’s still a lot to be excited about. Many of those root vegetables and winter squashes we’ve stashed away will feed us for a while longer. We’re cleaning, sharpening, and storing our gardening tools. And in the coziness of our homes, we have our indoor gardens, the heavenly aromas in the kitchen, and our dreams of gardens yet to come.
One of the things we love most about winter is that we can spend time in the kitchen, creating hearty, healthy meals for friends and family. There’s no happier place than when garlic and rosemary are simmering on the stovetop, butternut squash is roasting in the oven, and we are sharing a glass of wine with good friends.
As a matter of fact, that’s where the inspiration for the December issue of Food Gardening Magazine comes from. We put together some of our favorite holiday recipes for an 8-course holiday meal that highlights the flavors of the season. You’ll find homemade Cranberry Sauce, Italian Bread Stuffing with fresh herbs, Garlic Confit Roasted Bird, Maple Sage Baked Pear, and more, for a meal you won’t forget!
Plus, since this is gift-giving season for many of us, we’re sharing some of our favorite gardening gift ideas, gifts from the garden, and 15 homemade spice mixes that you can make in your kitchen to give – or keep!
The December issue of Food Gardening Magazine is abundant with the flavors of the season. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside.
In all, you’ll find five featured articles, eight delicious recipes (plus many more in the guides), and explorations of our three featured herbs and fruits: Sage, Lemons, and Oranges. And, as always, there are some additional delightful gardening articles and recipes in store from the gardening guides highlighted in this issue.
Here are some exciting articles and videos to look forward to in the Holiday Celebration December Issue of Food Gardening Magazine:
- How to Keep Gardening in December: Why wait until spring to exercise your gardening muscles? Amanda is sharing five gardening activities you can do right now in the comfort of your home, no matter how cold it is outdoors. Take the plunge into hydroponic gardening, or start planning your outdoor garden for when spring rolls around.
- Heirloom Gardening Gifts: Whether you’re buying for yourself, or for a favorite gardener in your life, there’s something extra special about an heirloom-worthy gardening tool. These tools may be new or antique, and you may find them brand new, or in the wild at an estate sale or flea market. What they all have in common, however, is that they are built to last. Some are handmade, while others are factory-forged. But either way, you’ll find these tools are sturdy and durable, with quality manufacturing at the fore.
- 12 Edible Gift Ideas From Your Garden: Herb blends, jelly and jam, salad dressing, tea, and hot sauce are just the beginning! Your garden is a gift waiting to happen. Is there a better gift than homemade pickles?
- 8 Recipes for a Garden-To-Table Holiday Dinner: This year for Food Gardening Magazine, we made a number of recipes straight from the garden. In this article, Amanda put together a whole holiday meal plan that incorporates those recipes and a few new ones that you can prepare with ease for your next holiday meal or Sunday supper with family.
- The Trowel That Keeps on Giving: This article comes from our sister publication, GreenPrints Magazine. In this story, writer Julie Foley reminds us of the beauty and stories behind garden tools as they are passed down through the years.
- 15 Homemade Spice Mixes for Gifts: Who doesn’t love a gift of homemade goodness? Amanda goes all in on this one and shares 15 of her favorite homemade spice mixes, along with herb blends and herb and spice blends. Get spicy with a Cajun Spice Blend, celebrate the season with your very own Pumpkin Pie Spice mix, travel the world from the comfort of your kitchen with Greek Seasoning, and so much more. And yes, these are “gifts,” but no one said you have to give them away!
The latest issue of Food Gardening Magazine also features our deep dive collections on Sage, Lemons, and Oranges. You’ll get tons of tips for growing these three exciting plants, from choosing the type you want to grow to prepping your garden and all the way through harvesting and enjoying them in your kitchen. Here are some of the articles you can look forward to.
Check out 10 Sage Companion Plants to discover 10 excellent garden neighbors for sage. You may already know about some, like rosemary and oregano. But did you know sage can repel some of the pests that like to feed on kohlrabi and collard greens? Or that carrots and sage both help each other in the garden? Number 10 on the list is a match made in heaven, both in the garden and in the kitchen.
How big do lemon trees get? You might be asking this if you’re thinking about growing lemon trees. The “average” height of a mature lemon tree is around 20 feet tall. But some can reach up to 30 feet, while container lemon trees may top out around 5 feet. Find out which variety is right for you and how to manage its growth, in How Big Do Lemon Trees Get?
Considering an orange tree? In How to Grow an Orange Tree in Your Yard, we’ll show you how to grow orange trees at home under the conditions they’re meant for, in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11. We’ll answer questions about growing in flood zones and more.
We hope you enjoy the December edition of Food Gardening Magazine as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it. Open up the December Issue today and join us in creating joy and happiness from the bounty of a garden.
About Food Gardening Network, a brand of Mequoda Publishing Network: Food Gardening Network was founded by home food gardeners and for home food gardeners—the mission is to serve gardeners with tips, tools, advice, and recipes for growing and enjoying good food at home. During the Covid-19 pandemic that began in 2020, it became apparent that home food gardening would grow beyond a hobby for many home gardeners. Food Gardening Network launched in January of 2021 as an all-encompassing resource for gardeners of all skill levels, with in-depth articles on planning, planting, maintaining, and harvesting home garden crops. Food Gardening Network also includes easy-to-prepare recipes so home gardeners can enjoy the fruits of their labors in delicious, creative ways.
About Mequoda Publishing Network: Mequoda provides actionable ideas, inspiration, and advice for gardeners, cooks, and crafting enthusiasts—with the goal of improving their lives and increasing personal enrichment and enjoyment. We operate five multiplatform consumer brands, including six magazines, 28 email newsletters, and more than 100 digital books. We partner with dozens of sponsors to help them market their products to our audiences. For nearly two decades, Mequoda has explored and expanded the evolving art and science of multiplatform publishing and marketing. With in-depth research, aggressive testing, and cutting-edge strategy, Mequoda has developed a reputation as an industry leader for building and operating multiplatform communities that serve, engage, and delight consumers, sponsors, partners, and affiliates.
Contact: To learn more about our Email Marketing and Broadcasting Services, Exchange Program, or to become a marketing partner with any of our publications, please contact me at Christy@Mequoda.com or 781-556-1006.