This is the first in a series of weekly farm reports from our own Tom Hirschfeld, complete with recipes, cooking and gardening tips, and wisdom dispensed.
Today: Tom on garden-planning baptism by fire and Zucchini Frites with Lemon Basil Mayonnaise.
- Tom's daughter Vivian doing the I-found-a-zucchini victory dance.
It Only Takes One Shiny Bean
- Tom
It is one of those pre-sunrise mornings where, while staring upward from the comfort of your bed into the faintly bluish first light of day, you outright question your sanity. If you were in your right mind wouldn’t, and shouldn’t, you just go to the grocery? It hasn’t rained in over a month and it has been just as long since there has been dew on the grass. Funny how in spring you had to replant twice because you were flooded out. Seems you got all your rain at once this year.
Shiny Bean the dog is stubborn. There is a reason we call him Shiny Bean. First, he doesn’t know shit from Shinola, and second, he has a big head just like the Beans in The Beans of Egypt, Maine. That aside, he has developed this stubborn streak and he thinks he owns the mud room porch. He won’t leave it but for certain reasons. He follows me wherever I go, but always lays back down in front of the door before I can go into the house. When we aren’t outside, he still stays on the porch, laying right up against the screen door, a door stop in fact, rendering this door useless to anyone who might want to enter the house through this particular ingress. He won’t move. Not even when the UPS man drives up in his big brown truck does he even flick an ear, and what dog doesn’t like to sniff the UPS man?
So lately, every morning at sunrise, I slog myself out of bed and wander, sometimes wonder, out to the garden and traipse through the mud of yesterday’s folly, move the sprinklers, and walk back to the spigot and turn on the water. Never mind the many mosquito and deer fly bites when I have a 96-pound black lab to contend with. Always so close I am tripping over him at every turn and having to yell, “Move!, damn it.” like I was trying to get a five-year-old ready for kindergarten while cartoons are on the TV.
I have a door on every side of my house for a reason. Simply put, I don’t want to have to walk around the house in order to get into the house, so you can imagine how this is making me mad, this dog that won’t move from in front of the door. I have even tried to sneak up to the door. Acting like I am pulling weeds from around the steps of the porch, trying to get in in front of him so I can go inside, only to have him nudge me out of the way to cross the finish line first and plop down with a tail wag of victory.
So it is when I set down the big basket full of beautiful and perfect zucchini of all kinds that I realize I am spoiled, that I get to cook with great ingredients every day, and that I am not insane, just stubborn. That I have taken to my garden like the dog has the porch and I will do whatever it takes to keep things growing, including using the door on the opposite side of the house.
Tom On Planning a Garden
These are a few of the things I have learned. Baptism by fire, so to speak.
1. Watch the sun before deciding where to put your garden (since this advice is really for your next growing season, start watching that sun now). If you want to do spring, summer and fall plantings make sure your garden gets lots of sun, and I mean lots. You need to get the plants up and out so you can get the next crop in. A couple of hours less sun per day can add weeks to a plant's fruiting date.
2. I have a kitchen garden with raised beds dedicated to herbs, onions, garlic, and salad greens. I originally planned it to be the whole garden but I didn’t think about the above sun issue. Fortunately, salad greens do better in the heat of the summer with lots of shade and it is a good control mechanism for herbs that might be invasive, oregano comes to mind. Mint is invasive even in the shade.
3. I have a huge garden that I plant in rows because I have the space. I didn’t start out this way. I started out with two little raised beds before we lived on the farm and I grew more then enough for our family to eat fresh all summer. Both these methods have specific advantages. Study both methods and decide what is best for you. I grow way more than I need personally, but no one in my extended family ever complains about the excess. I like being able to give it away.
4. Remember, the bigger the garden the more the work load.
5. Don’t work in the garden when it is wet with rain or dew. You will potentially spread any diseases you might have to all the plants. Unfortunately, this means working most of the time in the heat of the day or, as many folks do, in the evening after dinner.
Zucchini Frites with Lemon Basil Mayonnaise
Serves 4
3 cups zucchini batons, approx. 2 1/2 inches long and 1/4 to 3/8 inch square, you want to use firm and relatively seed-free zucchini
1 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup of milk, or more
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh basil, minced
kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
peanut oil for frying
See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.
-
thirschfeld
Upon finding out my wife was pregnant we decided to sell the restaurant I was starting in order for me to stay at home with our wonderful daughters. I get the amazing adventure of raising them. It is the best job in the world. I am a trained chef. I taught at the local culinary school for 5 years until last year when I decided to give that up. We have a small farm where we garden, raise chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks solely for our dinner table. I currently create recipes and talk about small farm life at www.bonafidefarmfood.com
Some past articles from this author you'll love:
The Land of Milk and Honey
Dinner with Julia, Redux
Easy Peasy
109 Comments on Garden Planning and Zucchini Frites:
Just so happy to read your new column, Tom. Gorgeous words and photos. Food52, I love you so...
Enjoyed reading your article! Great writing....beautiful daughter; lovely dog (with his tongue sticking out!)....Used the lemon basial mayo with fish = delish!!! :o)
Tom, I'm looking forward to your next post. Will you have a regular day each week?
I so enjoyed reading this post (out loud to my husband, who loves all things gardening and dogs) and seeing your gorgeous photos. We just planted our first vegetable garden this summer--it's only 4'x6' but we call it "the farm" and dote on it like proud new parents. When our baby zuchinis grow up, they want to be Zuchini Frites with lovely Lemon Basil Mayonaise.
Great column and lovely photos. Your daughter is adorable and how could you say no to that dog? It looks like he really knows how to turn on the charm. Thirschfeld, I am so thrilled that you will be doing a cooking & gardening column for food52! It will be wonderful to get gardening tips from you. (I echo jestei's request to write about fall/winter gardening.) This is only my second summer of vegetable gardening, and it has not been without its challenges, mostly due to a cool and damp summer this year in the PNW. However, I have been bit by the gardening bug, and now there is no turning back! I have found it so rewarding to grow some of my family's food, and I have loved introducing my daughter to the joys of growing things. Looking forward to next week's installment!
Thanks, he is not without his charms, but notice he is sticking his tongue out at me in the above photo. That is great that you are growing stuff and I find the kids just love it even if they don't always eat it when it winds up on their plate.
I want to be on the same oyster boat.
Great dog.
he is a handful, along with the hound dog and the other mut they are in trouble most of the time
"thirschfeld" has become "Tom." I am feeling really good about food52. You (plural) took an opportunity and went with it. Great news!
Thank you nannydeb
Love this, look forward to reading more!!
thanks Jaynerly
Yay Tom! So looking forward to seeing your world view every week. I am getting raised boxes put in so I will be paying close attention to gardening and planting information and tips.
Sometimes it is a little skewed and twisted, raised beds are great you are going to love growing stuff.
You kiss that Shiny Bean on the head for me, okay? No zucchini for us - I learned my lesson several years ago - 2 plants + 23,000,000 zucchini. Oh, no.
Instead, we planted tomatoes. Lots of tomatoes. I've been processing tomatoes for a week now. 2 bushels work. 3 pecks of peppers, unpickled.
But no zucchini.
Though the frites do look divine.
xo
I don't process a lot. I do tomato sauce and pickles and that is about it.
Congrats, Tom. Next up, world domination ;)
thanks, and LOL
Wonderful post all the way around from the gardening tips to your adorable Vivian, and that naughty Shiny Bean, who FYI is smarter than you think because he has your number! (My first child was a black lab, so I know these things). PS. Your recipe looks divine.
I love it! My two favorite subjects: gardening and cooking. Can't wait for next week.
thanks
Congrats Tom! Looking forward to reading a weekly column from you!
thanks lorigoldsby
It will be great to get weekly tips from you, Tom.
thanks Bevi
Congratulations Tom! I have to say, I knew it was only a matter of time before they found a permanent place for you on Food52. (You are that good and they are that smart! :)) Great first post. Recently relocated to Illinois, I look forward to learning how to tackle a Midwestern garden!!
thanks wanderash, and welcome to the heartland. I guess you are in for some culture shock coming back from Mexico. Did you land somewhere near Chicago or are you in the hinterlands?
love this new feature! it is just great! would love to hear more about what one plants in the fall.
thank you, you being in DC I would think peas, probably sugar snaps would be good. I don't know how big of a garden you have but arugala, broccoli, kale, anything that is cold weather and frost tolerant which is different from a freeze. Look for 40 to 45 days to maturity.
Hooray thirschfeld! LOVE the new weekly reports - what a perfect fit.
Yesterday, at mom's rehab facility, I saw these really cool moveable raised beds built out of 2 x 4s on top of a large garden wagon. For folks like me with a postage-stamp yard surrounded by their neighbor's trees, this might be the answer to my lack-of-sun-hence-no-garden dilemma.
thanks mrslarkin. That sounds like a good way to do it
Loved this article. The picture of the plate with the steak and frites is a work of art.
thanks soozbooz
Delighted to see you writing here, Tom. I've loved your blog, your recipes and your photos, and I'm so happy to see you've found a home for it all on food52.
You took the words out of my mouth!
Thanks MrsWheelbarrow
I have always admired your writing style and now a weekly column is something I am looking forward to.
Thank you
It only takes an article like this to get you through the day sometimes. Thank you for the laughs and the wisdom. Will be looking forward to every future post.
Thanks
Yay, what a great regular feature!
Thanks sagegreen
Love the article! I think Shiny Bean would get along well with my dogs, Chunky Butt and Saggy Boobies.
He does play well with others
Yea Hirsch! You rock!
Thanks MrsT
I think I've got the same dog...
Wouldn't surprise me
I love seeing your new column here!!! What a wonderful way to begin my morning. I love how you cook AND write! Congrats to you (and to Shiney Bean)!!
Thank you ChezSuzanne
Absolutely LOVE the article and can't wait to try this recipe. Like Debbiedh, I felt like I was experiencing the mud with you and Shiny Bean - you have a fabulous storytelling gift. Thank you for sharing your love of family, pets & food!
You are welcome and thanks
I love this! Congratulations, thirschfeld. What a wonderful addition to food52. My life has changed because of a little raised bed and I now work for a small company that designs, installs and maintains custom kitchen gardens in urban Honolulu. It is at times the most backbreaking job I have ever had (my background is in art history and education), as well as the most rewarding. My favorite part is to see our client’s expressions the first time they grow something themselves. Much like your adorable daughter, they are beaming with pride. Growing your own food is life changing. I look forward to future installments of your column!
Thanks gingerroot. How fun and it is exciting to see people grow and pick their own veggies.
Love Vivian, love Shiny Bean and love the article! Looking forward to reading more, Tom.
Thanks SKK
You are now famous with groupies - keep on being Tom!
I'm so happy that we get to enjoy your wonderful writing and recipes on a weekly basis. Thanks for doing this!
Thanks drbabs
I absolutely LOVE this addition to the site. I have been watching for you and now I know what you have been up to! Thumbs up, Tom...
Thanks Liz
I love it! Thanks for the great article.
Thanks and your welcome
Yeeha! I love Tom, his recipes, his photos and his farm!
You are too kind
I have taken to my garden like the dog has the porch. TRU DAT! Tom, you are funny AND stubborn. Thank you for writing this and sharing it with us. You have a gift and you are so generous with it. And that is what makes it a blessing! Keep Writing!
Thanks Kelly
Tom, this is fantastic! What a brilliant venue to feature your voice. Thanks Food52!
Thanks TasteFood!
What a great new feature on food52! This will be a nice mid-week treat!
Thanks
Nice! T, this is awesome! And, may I just add to gardening tip #1 Don't assess the amount of sun your garden-area gets *before* the leaves come in on your trees. (That mistake was kind of the opposite of baptism by fire - it was like baptism by mud, moss, and the saddest darn veg - or lack thereof - you've ever seen.)
Thanks and you are exactly right do it when the leaves are on the trees
This is a terrific column!
Thank you
Love the new column! Shiny Bean is adorable.
Thanks
Good advice. Here in the Napa valley, my raised beds do best because I can wire underneath the vegetables to keep out the evil gophers. In the vineyards we just go to war against them!
Why do I have visions of "Caddyshack" right now?
I have a war with moles every year in my yard. I hate the little devils.
A few good cats . . .
No kidding. We have a gopher bounty hunter who charges per gopher he traps named Mr. Gopher.
Mr. Gopher. Everyone has their calling. I am so telling this story.
My hound dog has dug trails through the yard obsessing on moles for days all the while contiuously barking
I had a cat named Rose who would sit for hours staring fixedly into a gopher hole, chanelling it into her jaws. She was very successful.
What a great addtion to Food52! Love this! Your dog is handome (good thing since he's in the way) your daughter SUPER cute, and the garden is enviable ...
Thanks aargersi, he is lucky to still be here since he ate a couple of chickens shortly after he wandered up the drive.
You leave me wanting more...thanks.
Thanks MyCommunalTable
Love your blog. Congrats on the new column. Great piece. Pics are gorgeous.
Thanks
Yay Tom! This is totally awesome. Can't wait for more :)
Thanks Winnie
I could feel myself there with you walking in the mud and trying to beat Shiney bean to the door. This is a great article and love the recipes. Keep it up. Thanks.
DebbiedH
I will do my best. Thanks
Yay! A weekly Thirschfeld fix!!
Thanks
I'm so excited about this new weekly feature! That picture of your daughter in your garden is so sweet. I grew up on a farm in Illinois (not far from Indiana) and your garden reminds me of the huge expanse my mom tends to each year. Her garden is also bordered by a soybean field this year!
Thanks, it is surprising how it gets bigger each year
This tugs at my Midwestern heartstrings. I'm looking forward to reading more of this column!
See what your missing
You certainly can turn a phrase my friend, but perhaps none so evocative as ".. traipse through the mud of yesterday’s folly...". Love it.
PS ...And thanks for the link to the book - I think you should include a book recommendation in every post - very esoteric tastes.
Wonderful addition to the food52 repertoire!
Thanks
Thank YOU.
This is a wonderful article, I really enjoyed it.The garden is gorgeous and I love the recipe. Thanks Tom for sharing with us.
I enjoyed reading this (and I'm envious of your huge garden) and I'm so happy that this will be a weekly article! Thanks!
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