January-February 2008
A Note from the President
By Norm Millen
Greetings to all of the best gardeners of Llano who are enjoying the time of rest that winter provides us. It is good time to let the garden be idle. The only vegetable crops in the ground at my house are potatoes, onions, beets and greens. There's barely a sprout or two of color in a brown landscape. Enjoy your time off and rest well.
The town dump is still giving away as much mulch as you care to load and the Llano recycling center still has free plastic 1 gallon pots to start your seeds in. We will bring some to the Monthly Meeting on February 21st to give away as I took more than I can use.
It’s important to water the grass and trees every three weeks when it has not rained. Is anybody else planting fruit trees? Now is the perfect time to be digging holes. We have pecan, peach, pear, plums and persimmon trees planted. I intend to plant fast-growing water trees like willow and sycamore trees around our water tank this month as soon as the buds start to break out of the winter sleep cycle.
What’s new?
2008 Lawn & Garden Show
Volunteers are needed to man the vendor booths, Question and Answer table, set up and clean up and the sale of raffle tickets. We have donated door prizes to give away and are selling raffle tickets for some beautiful Mexican flower pots.
Apple field trip
We are planning a field trip to the Apple plantation in Llano this April. There will be a hands-on apple thinning clinic and a pot-luck picnic. The Association will provide the drinks and fried chicken; we just need your side dishes and your apple pickin’ hands.
T-shirts
The new shirts have been selected with a Llano Master Gardener emblem and are ready for purchase now for $15. Order forms will be at the meeting this month. The L&G show color will be teal, but many other colors are available.
Monthly work party
Every month we will feature at least one joint work party at one of our work sites where we will clean up the gardens of the Pioneer Park, or the library. It will be a great time of fun and sweat and friendship. This month’s project will be February 22, at 10am. Meet at the Llano library park.
The Llano Master Gardeners donated the design and construction of a 10’X10’ garden that was raffled off by the Llano Chamber of Commerce. The winning bid of over $500 was Mary & Morrison Smith of Llano. We will have a design and construction party after we get the photos and wishes of the winner. All of the plants were donated by local nurseries. Volunteer gardeners are needed.
Using What We Grow
I use any excuse to make Beef Stew; it's cold, it's damp, I'm really hungry... We can use some of the herbs from our gardens like Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, etc., whatever you prefer. One of the lesser-known secrets to making a really nice Beef Stew is to add turnips (the white root with a purple-y blush). It adds depth to the flavors of stew and, for some of us, can be substituted for potatoes for reasons of sensitivity or to reduce carbohydrates.
BEEF STEW
Salt, pepper, 1 bay leaf, herbs and seasonings to your taste
1 pound round steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 cups water+2 bullion cubes or 2 cups beef broth
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup tomato sauce (optional)
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium turnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch slices
2 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Combine salt, pepper and your favorite seasonings for stew; toss with beef.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, brown beef in oil. Sprinkle with flour; stir well. Add water, onion, tomato sauce (if desired; some don't care for a tomato-y stew), bouillon and bay leaf. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
Add potatoes, turnips, carrots and celery; cover and simmer 45 minutes or until meat and vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaf.
Yield: 4 servings. Of course this recipe can be doubled, tripled or more. Personally I never make less than a gallon of stew and freeze for later use.
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