THE JOYS OF THE GARDEN

BY DENISE BLASOR

 AT A RECENT friends' dinner, one of the guests contributed the bounty of her garden: a  cornucopia of cherry tomatoes, small round orbs of bright red color, some still attached to their wispy green shoots.  Once  you popped them in the mouth, you were met with a glorious explosion of intense flavor.  THE REWARDS of the garden: A small but memorable harvest. Not to mention the satisfaction of growing something  with your own hands and the delight of watching tiny seedlings burst out of the earth to make their way upward  toward the sunlight.  ANYONE with a little time and interest can start their own vegetable garden though, truth be told, some people seem  to be better at it than others. Still, it is an effort well worth trying and resources abound to help you get started. FOR ONE, there is the internet. A visit to any number of websites is sure to provide helpful advice. For example,  thegardenhelper.com suggests that you pay special attention in choosing the site location for planting. It should be a spot in your patio or garden with plenty of sunlight -- at least six hour's worth  of sunlight daily -- and it should have good soil, which one can also improve with compost and organic fertilizers. 

" Planting is only the third step of the three 'P's.                

         Planning your garden, Preparing the soil, Planting your vegetables."                                  

the gardenhelper.com                      

 OR, if you are really serious about the whole enterprise, you might want to get the advice of an expert. Agronomist  Lucas Noble, who trained at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez, provides just such a service through his company Siembra Sustento which, in addition to selling organic compost and holding workshops on organic gardening islandwide, also makes house visits. He will not  only teach you how to start a garden but will even build it for you, if you prefer.  The visit, he said, is $30 while building a basic, four by eight-foot orchard comes to around $160 which includes materials, soil and plants.  NOBLE said gardening is an activity for people of all ages. As for gardens, they come in all sizes, it just depends on  what one wants to plant in it.  Easiest to plant are basil, oregano, cilantrillo, parsley, green beens, radishes, peppers and eggplants.   THOSE without a patch of green need not feel left out. In fact, Noble said people can set up a garden on their terrace or roof. The essential elements for success in growing anything, he said, are "sunlight, water and compost."  Siembra Sustento ( Sow Nourishment, in English) is now expanding its reach to hotels and restaurants. 

   siembrasustento@gmail.com or contact by phone: Metro area/East 787.203.0480; Central area/South 787.983.6474; North area/West 787.633.7951. 

By Denise Blasor

          Every life needs a little fiction in it. Too much reality   

                             is a very nasty thing."   -- Woody Allen  

                                                  

CONCALMA GOES BIKING

ConCalma, the old San Juan-based retailer whose company name is an invite to live life with calm, is branching out into fashion. Add men's bikewear to the company's colorful line of cotton handbags, totes and messenger bags with the distinctive striped handles.

El Rayo Spoke is a line geared to men, especially men who are cycling buffs. "The line grew out of a suggestion from a client who had been following the development of ConCalma and liked its vibe," said Matilsha Marxuach, who started ConCalma as a business that would be easy on the environment and provide work plus a fair living wage to the women of the Utuado sewing cooperative that produces her products.  The new line, primarily manufactured in Puerto Rico, includes sporty polo shirts, jerseys, and button down shirts. The short-sleeved polos look cool and can be customized with reflective patches for night riding, Marxuach said.  Low on the back, a single pocket is perfectly situated to allow one to carry that ubiquitous water bottle and easily grab hold of it. Prices range from $45 to $85.The new line officially launches Thursday night (June 23) at the store with music and videos rounding out the activity which will run from 7 to 11 p.m.  (Photo: courtesy of ConCalma)

ConCalma  #207 San Francisco St. Monday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm

Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm.  www.concalmalinea.com

Artwork by Lorraine Blasor

Every spirit builds itself a house;
And beyond its house a world;

and beyond its world a heaven.    

Know then, that the world exists

for you; build, therefore, your

own world.  -- Emerson

                                                                             

          

Copyright 2011 © Lorraine Blasor All Rights Reserved