Things to Do

Dried peas from the garden become seeds for the next season's plantings. Photo by Amy Robb. The pinkeye purple hull peas in my garden were in their last stages of production, and only a couple of pods remained on each plant. While it was hard to resist picking the delicious peas, it was with an eye to next year’s garden that those pods were left to dry on the plants. It was time to save the seeds. As we become more attuned to the importance of our local food system, we need t

Learn the keys to success and abundant fruit will follow. Illustration by Kiara Sanchez. There are as many tips to grow tomatoes as there are varieties to choose from. Perhaps it's because this delectable fruit can be temperamental, confounding and downright frustrating if not grown with care. When done right, though, they're absolute bliss. I've been growing them for about twenty years, and when I stick to these simple steps, I get plenty to eat and share during our short bu

Year-round gardening is possible in Northeast Florida, even during the chilly days of winter and early spring. Illustration by Sara Lear Walker. Winter’s a fantastic time to grow food in Northeast Florida. What can you add to your garden this season? Root vegetables like beets, carrots, potatoes and turnips; the luscious leaves of kale, lettuce and mustards; and brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Sugar snap peas thrive in the cooler air as do herbs

By using Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles, you will have a better rate of gardening success. Strawberries are perennial plants, which means you could enjoy fresh picked berries for many years. Illustration by Em Spitler. Did you know that Florida is recognized worldwide for its major role in strawberry production? In fact, Florida is the second largest producer of strawberries in the U.S., with approximately 8,000 acres of strawberries grown in the state. Centered in t

A recent Supper Club evening in St. Augustine. Photo by Melissa Marcarelli. The Supper Club Series is a new dining experience that takes  Edible Northeast Florida  off the pages and into real life. Each Supper Club gathering is inspired by the stories, people and places featured in the magazine: the local farmers, chefs, artisans and seasonal ingredients that define our region. The result is an intimate, thoughtfully curated evening where food becomes a form of storytelling.

As part of the dragon dance performed for Lunar New Year, Chef Dennis Chan offers a return of blessings for the dancer for doing the performance. The red envelope has money inside, which is a traditional gift elders give the young, or anyone in an elderly position gives someone to wish them financial luck and success in the coming year. Photo by Brandi Hill. Americans tend to think of the holiday season as the months of November and December, but cultures around the world hav

STAY IN THE KNOW Learn about local events in Edible Northeast Florida's weekly newsletter. Photo by Paige Allsup, St. Augustine Lifestyle and Pips Ink Media. Local food news, seasonal recipes and events, delivered fresh to your inbox Join the Edible Northeast Florida community! Subscribe to our e-newsletter for regular updates on local food issues, original recipes, online-exclusive stories, special issue sneak peeks, events, festivals and other things to do.

Where Northeast Florida locals eat when it's hot, chilly, rainy or just perfect outdoors.

The emergence of the "Third Place" in Northeast Florida At Chancho King, an Ecuadorian cafe and gathering spot in Jacksonville's Murray Hill neighborhood. Photos by Mara Strobel-Lanka. The term “Third Place” may not be widely known, but it’s quietly been answering some common questions for decades: What do I do after work? What's for dinner? Where’s everybody hanging out? Coined by American sociologist Ray Oldenburg, “third place” refers to spaces outside of the home (the fir

Even a small rental lawn, regulated by a homeowners association, can grow food and invite wildlife. Photos by Alexandra Dovel. “Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes made of ticky-tacky, Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes all the same…” You may remember these lyrics from the theme song of a television show called Weeds, a mid-2000s satire of suburbia. Manicured lawns, beige-on-beige conformity, homes that looked like copy-paste jobs. It was funny because it was t

Design a holiday table with foraged finds from the garden. Photos by Jenna Alexander. Gathering at the table during the holidays is about community and the love of family and friends. One of my favorite traditions of the season is when my mother, sister and I set the table together; this ritual has become a moment of joyful creativity in what can otherwise be hectic days. Our tabletop design is based on foraging for what is readily available in the yard, along with some seaso

Include locally grown flowers, fruit and greenery for a seasonal tablescape. Seasonal fruit and other produce add unique accents to a floral arrangement. Photos by Sara Schober. When planning your holiday meals around seasonal produce, an easy way to add colorful elements toyour table is to let nature’s bounty also be a centerpiece. Just like fruits and vegetables have specificharvest times throughout the year, so too do locally grown flowers. To get you started on creatinga

These crafts use supplies that are easy to find around the house and in the kitchen. Photos by Shannon Rose Greene. Seed Paper Gift Tags This project is perfect for eco-conscious gift-givers who want to add a personal touch. These seed paper gift tags are beautiful and plantable – once the tag has served its purpose, the recipient canplant it in the garden and watch the seeds grow. This recipe makes approximately 12-14 tags, depending on size. You’ll need: Blender Flat, recta

The art of wrapping goods and gifts using fabric has gained in popularity over the years Tea towels or other fabric create a custom look and become a usable present for the recipient. Photos by Julie Christman. For a fun and creative way to adorn a gift without using paper that just gets tossed away, try wrapping presents in tea towels à la the furoshiki method. Added bonus of using this no-waste technique? You’re giving a gift within a gift. In Japanese culture, furoshiki re

Salt dough ornaments are a fun and eco-friendly way to decorate for the holidays. Photo by Elise Crigar. The holidays don’t have to come with a mountain of trash bags. If you want to have a more eco-friendly season, choose reusable first, compostable second and recyclable last. That hierarchy keeps the focus on materials that flow back into everyday life instead of into the landfill.  Decorate plain paper with potato stencil stamps for a kid-friendly DIY. Photo by Shannon Ros

When it comes time to find a special gift, think local! Supporting small businesses is an opportunity to purchase gifts while ensuring your hard-earned dollars stay in your local community. Here's a selection of gifts to get you started from some of our favorite #officialediblepartners. Gifts Beyond the Ordinary BLACK FIG + CO.  Black Fig & Co. specializes in elevated charcuterie boards, boxes, grazing tables and event styling. Inclusive catering, creative, qual­ity and thou

Some of the baked goodies sell out, like buttery croissants, muffins and brownies, so you might want to make those types of vendors your first stop. Photo by Michelle Calloway. Remember the advice to never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry because you will grab the wrong things? You can forget that suggestion the next time you head to the farmers’ market. Bring your appetite along with your shopping list, because our local markets offer a wide range of dining options. If

Photos by Amanda Rosenblatt. When it comes to creating a beautiful grazing board, my rule of thumb is simple: be intentional, not fussy. The key to a successful grazing board is thoughtful planning and arrangement that allows your ingredients to shine while presenting an inviting display for your guests. PLANNING Portion Guidelines: • Appetizer: 2 ounces cheese + 1-½ ounces cured meats per person • Main course: 3-½-4 ounces cheese + 3½-4 ounces cured meats per person Consid

In the bleak midwinter – or what passes for it here in Northeast Florida – perhaps nothing signifies a southern Christmas more than the vibrant seasonal plants we bring into our homes. Poinsettias, in all shapes and colors; the heraldic trumpets of amaryllis; paperwhite narcissus's stalks of pure white stars; and the equally festive Christmas cactus in all shades of pink, red, purple, orange and white. One benefit of living in the northern subtropics is the fact that these pl

CREME DE LA COCOA Pillowy marshmal­lows in a variety of seasonally inspired flavors melt perfectly in cocoa or shine solo as a sweet indulgence. Hand-crafted by Crème de la Cocoa - a perfect gift, stocking stuffer, addition to entertaining or personal treat. cremedelacocoa.com – @cremedelacocoa THE GREENHOUSE BAR The Greenhouse Wine Club is a unique and personalized wine ex­perience that goes beyond the bottle. Each release includes two bottles of hand picked wine imbued w