-Pam Scott- The last 2 years have been a bit of a challenge for most of us to navigate. In our household, we spent the first year of our semi-social seclusion mitigating our world ache by consuming a steady diet of creamy pasta sauces, fabulous breads and lots of white wine. It felt comforting at the time. Needless to say, that lifestyle was not sustainable. We began to feel lousy and…we couldn't fit into our pants. The second year of our social isolation we decided to begin a healthier … [Read more...] about Cooking with Koji
Homesteading
The Art of Making Tequila
-Ryan Blankenship- Tequila was first distilled back in the early 16th century near the city of Tequila, which is located in the state of Jalisco about 35 miles from the city Guadalajara in Mexico. Tequila is a distilled beverage from a mash made out of Blue Agave. The Spanish conquistadors actually were the first to produce this spirit when they had run out of all of the brandy that they brought with them. They were the first to understand how to extract the sweet nectar from the core … [Read more...] about The Art of Making Tequila
DIY CBD-Infused Honey
One of my favorite aspects of growing food and herbs is the culinary magic that happens after the harvest. From steeping a blend of freshly-picked herbs in the summertime for “sun tea”, to pickling beets and fermenting cabbage for delicious homemade kraut, to making elderberry syrup in the early fall for winter wellness, there’s just something so special about taking what you’ve grown with love and intention and making something amazing with it. Naturally, DIY gifts are my go-to, and this one … [Read more...] about DIY CBD-Infused Honey
Growing Poinsettias Year Round
-Pam Scott- This time of year, many of us are decking our halls with boughs of holly, evergreens, and the perennial favorite… poinsettias. I have to admit that in the past I have had a rather “whatever” attitude when it came to treating poinsettias as an indoor tropical houseplant. I love to use them to fill in spots that need seriously fabulous seasonal color in my home or as the perfect holiday gift to give to a friend or relative when I have no clue what to give them. I considered them as … [Read more...] about Growing Poinsettias Year Round
DIY Pizza Dough with Brewers Yeast
Not everyone shopping our homebrew department for yeast is actually brewing beer. We often get folks looking for fresh yeast for baking. This summer, a friend turned me on to what she described as “hands down, the best pizza dough in town” from White Labs Kitchen & Tap here in Asheville, NC. White Labs is a San Diego-based yeast production company and a popular yeast brand among homebrewers. In 2017, they opened a second location in Asheville that aside from the lab has a restaurant concept. … [Read more...] about DIY Pizza Dough with Brewers Yeast
The Magical World of Fairy Gardens
-Pam Scott- Here at Fifth Season Gardening we sell beer, wine and cheese-making supplies, hydroponic equipment, organic soils, amendments, seedlings, tropical plants and… fairies. We sell fairy figures, fairy friends, fairy decor and all the elements you will need to build a fairy garden. “Why fairies?”, you may ask. Well, building fairy gardens is certainly a delightful way to introduce children to the world of gardening and landscaping. Building a tiny garden is also a whimsical way to … [Read more...] about The Magical World of Fairy Gardens
The Art of Making a Whisky Mash
-Ryan Blankenship- Whisky has been around for many centuries. In fact the “Guild of Barber Surgeons” were some of the first monks to make whisky in Scotland back in the early 1400s. It was originally made for medicinal purposes and to help cure smallpox and colic. James IV of Scotland enjoyed whisky so much that he purchased over 500 bottles from the Barber Surgeons. Now at this time whisky was still so new that they didn’t even age it in barrels, so the spirit was extremely harsh to … [Read more...] about The Art of Making a Whisky Mash
A Simple Formula for Perfect Container Gardens
Let’s set the stage: You find a great deal on the perfect ceramic pot to go beside your front door. It’s time to do it up, so you peruse Pinterest for inspiration and excitedly take a trip to the local nursery to purchase your plants, but when you get there and begin looking around you become completely overwhelmed, paralyzed. Dang, I’ve been there! Creating beautiful, balanced, professional-looking containers doesn’t have to be intimidating. Learning a simple design technique was a total … [Read more...] about A Simple Formula for Perfect Container Gardens
Fun Fall DIY Project: The Pumpulent!
-Edie Nissen- Do you love pumpkins? How about succulents? Well then, I have got the perfect DIY project for you. Introducing . . . The Pumpulent! The pumpulent is sure to satisfy all of your fall decor needs. It also makes a great gift! What you’ll need to create your pumpulent: - Pumpkin or gourd of choice - Succulents - I like to use echeveria, sedum, or haworthia - Hot glue gun - Moss - Spray adhesive (optional) Steps: 1. Use a hot glue gun to glue a handful of moss … [Read more...] about Fun Fall DIY Project: The Pumpulent!
Aunt Bee’s Pickles? Aw, Heck to the No!
-Ashley Mattison- Pretty much any southerner of a certain age knows ‘The Pickle Story’ episode of The Andy Griffith Show. You know, the one where the prospect of having to eat Aunt Bee’s homemade pickles drives the good gents of Mayberry to extraordinary lengths to avoid that fate. Loving store-bought pickles myself, I was wary of trying to turn my annual abundance of cucumbers into homemade pickles, both because I was well-steeped in Mayberry lore as a kid and because I thought pickling … [Read more...] about Aunt Bee’s Pickles? Aw, Heck to the No!
