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Everyday it changes. We wake up each morning to a new

barrage of bad news as Corvid-19 advances through our nation, through our lives. Hopefully you, your family and friends are all doing well. The recent weeks have made many of us think twice about and change nearly everything we do. We are stressed, we are concerned, scared, and yet we are hopeful too.

Conservative commentator David Brooks pointed out that a crisis often brings out the best in people, and indeed it has. But not in all ways. While we hear that sales of automatic rifles, handguns and ammunition have soared lately, online orders of garden seeds have been pouring in.

No doubt concern over food supplies in the near future, along with worry about grocery shopping at a time when “social distancing” has become our modus operandi, has fueled this sudden interest in gardening. That could very well be one of the best things to come out of these fateful times.

Who knows? Corivd-19 could end up launching another nation-wide series of victory gardens. Whatever the reason,

many of us already know the true values of growing a vegetable garden.

There’s exercise, fresh air and of course food too. But the extra added benefit of anticipation of our harvest, the goal worth working for and waiting for is incalculable. In this time of crisis, our gardens can indeed become our refuges — refuges with benefits.

If you start seeds now, they will have plenty of time to grow when it is time to plant them outdoors. For gardening novices who are new at the prospect of starting seeds, here are some basics to get those seeds started out right:

• Use fresh seeds, or those that have been stored properly. Check the date stamped on the flap of the seed packet to see dates of effectiveness. Seeds that are beyond the dates listed are not “bad,” but rather will often have reduced rates of germination.

• For small seeds, like those of lettuce, spinach and many herbs

for example, start with flats of a commercial seed starting mix which helps to prevent the possibility of diseases, like wilt, which will negatively impact seedlings. Such mixes also provide a well-drained medium for optimum germination and guarantee the absence of weeds. For larger seeds, use flats or small pots or cellpacks saved from purchases of bedding plants.

• In planting mix, sow seeds according to seed package instructions. Some seeds which have a hard outer coating will germinate better if slightly nicked or lightly rubbed on sandpaper. Some seeds, such as peas and bush or climbing beans, benefit from soaking them in warm water for three hours or overnight. Note that peas do not transplant well, and should be planted directly in the ground.

• Place flats in a warm location with plenty of direct light. A sunny windowsill is good, and try for a minimum of six hours of full sun.

Supplemental light may be necessary for full germination and proper early growing. Depending on variety, germination will occur within a few days to two weeks.

• Seedlings begin with two primary leaves, and above those “true” leaves the leaves that are the same as leaves on a mature plant) will eventually form. When the true leaves (have formed, it is time to divide thick clumps of seedlings. Carefully untangle roots and plant each seedling in the cell of a cellpack where it can grow and develop a good root system. This should take another three or four weeks.

• When the plants are about six inches tall and the soil and nighttime temperatures have warmed up, it is time to plant outside. Depending on plant variety, some can be planted in the ground sooner than others. Lettuce, broccoli, chard, kale, fava beans and cabbage for instance will tolerate cooler soil and nighttime temperatures

Creamymushroom soupThis is a really rich,

satisfying soup that’s a snap to make.

Ever since I saw Alton Brown on the Food Network do an experiment proving that mushrooms don’t actually absorb water when washed quickly, I simply clean them under running water rather than trying to wipe off the dirt. Life has been so much easier since then, at least when it comes to mushroom hygiene.

You may use either white or Portobello mushrooms here, but I happened to find a big 24-ounce box of white buttons on sale and just went with those.

Because cashews are 10% starch, they thicken this soup to a silky creaminess. I also made some individual spinach pizzas to make the meal more colorful. Ingredients:

1 cup plain unsweetened nondairy milk

1/2 cup whole raw cashews

2 Tbsp. nondairy butter, such as Earth Balance

24 ounces button mushrooms, sliced

1/2 cup diced onions3 cloves garlic1 Tbsp. vegetarian

chicken-flavored base, such as Better Than Bouillon

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves

1/4 tsp. nutmeg2 1/2 cups waterSalt and pepper to

tasteThinly sliced scallions

for garnish Directions:

1. Put the nondairy milk and cashews in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until hot but not boiling. Set aside while completing the recipe.

2. In a large soup pot, melt the nondairy butter and add the mushrooms, onions, garlic, bouillon base, wine, thyme, and nutmeg. Cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes, until the mushrooms have given up their juices and are very tender.

PHOTO BY: WENDY ANDRESEN

By Wendy Andresen

FOODFOR LIFE

The seeds of hope

Tiny seedlings have been divided and placed in individual cells to develop healthy root systems. PHOTO BY: LYNETTE L. WALTHER

By Lynette Walther

GOODSEASONS

Our gardens are open for ‘business’

WALTHER, page A7

RECIPE, page A7

3. Add the water and cook for another 5 minutes.

4. In a high-speed blender or smoothie maker, blend the milk/cashew mixture on high for 2 full minutes. Then add it to the soup. Cook for another few minutes until the soup is thickened and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Using an immersion blender, partially blend

the soup to break up some of the mushrooms and thicken the soup even more. You may skip this step if you prefer a chunkier soup.

6. Garnish individual servings with sliced scallions.

Wendy Andresen lives in Camden with her husband, Ray; her Sheltie, Sunshine; and her bunny, Cosi. She welcomes responses to her column at wendyandrayzer@yahoo.com.

RECIPE, from page A6

than eggplants, peppers or tomatoes will. When nighttime temperatures are consistently in the 60s, it is okay to plant those tomato plants. Those 60-degree nights are also the signal for conventional bean varieties to start setting blooms.

Most important is the garden soil in which your plants will be growing. Anything you plant will only be as good as the soil it is growing in. That means, cultivate your garden well, remove stones, add compost and work that in. Remove weeds as they appear, and add them to your compost pile. A healthy soil will produce

healthy plants that do not need extra toxic chemicals to thrive. Inspect plants daily for pest invasions, and handpick pests to ward of real damage. And while you are at it, rejoice in your surroundings, appreciate the experience and enjoy your harvest. Easy peasy, and your first garden is bound to be a success.

Stay safe, wash your hands and don’t touch your face.

Lynette L. Walther is the GardenComm Gold medal winner for writing and a five-time recipient of the GardenComm Silver Medal of Achievement and the National Garden Bureau’s Exemplary Journalism Award. Her gardens are in Camden.

WALTHER, from page A6

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Home & GardenApril is Spring

Month

Flower gardens can add color and awe-inspiring appeal to

a property. The National Gardening Association notes that gardeners can find nearly every color of the spectrum in flowering perennials. So whether you prefer soft pink, are partial to bright red or want to relax in a garden and gaze at something deep blue, chances are you'll find a perennial to tickle your fancy.

The NGA offers the following breakdown of colors to help gardeners learn how their gardens can set the mood they're looking for.

Bright colorsA garden full of bright

colors like red, orange, magenta, and yellow can provide a landscape with vigor and energy. The NGA notes that brightly colored flowers can withstand especially bright sunshine, meaning gardeners can marvel at their appearance even when the sun might be adversely affecting other plants and flowers.

Pastel colorsPastels, which

include soft pink, powder blue, lavender, and peach, create a tranquil feeling in a garden. This makes pastel perfect for those who want their gardens to be a relaxing, peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The NGA notes that pastels may

looked washed out in the midday sun, so they might be best enjoyed early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Complementary colors

Complementary colors are those that are opposite one another on the color wheel. Orange and blue are examples of

complementary colors. According to the NGA, complementary colors can add creative energy and vitality to a garden.

Harmoniouscolors

These colors are those that are next to each other on the color wheel, such as orange and red. The

NGA recommends harmonious colors for gardeners looking to create a unifying feel in their gardens without resorting to a monochromatic color scheme. Harmonious colors give off a gentle feeling that can make for a relaxing garden atmosphere.

Monochromatic colors

Monochromatic gardens can be awe-inspiring even though they stick to a single color and don't provide an array of awe-inspiring colors. The NGA notes that gardeners with monochromatic gardens make them interesting by using plants of various sizes and shapes.

When planting a garden, gardeners can choose whichever color scheme they prefer. To learn more about the effects of color on a garden, visit the National Gardening Association website at www.garden.org.

How color can aff ect your garden

Did you know?Many an amateur

landscaper has encountered grubs while tending to their lawns, but even the most attentive green thumber may have a lawn infested with grubs and not know it. Grubs often go unnoticed until late summer, when they’ve already done substantial damage. One of the telltales signs of an infestation is not the grubs themselves but the animals looking to dine on mature grubs who have spent summer feasting on organic matter in the soil. Homeowners who notice raccoons, skunks and/or birds digging up their lawns may have a grub infestation. Another sign is a lawn that feels spongy when stepped on. Patches of dead grass that peel back easily are a sign that grubs have eaten the roots.