Final chores: Clean up paths, patios, but ditch the rake

While spring, summer, and early autumn call for prettily tidied ornamental gardens, now’s the time to let them be! As the caption says, rake the paths if you wish, but if you’re lucky enough to have leaf-fall in the landscape, leave them lie!

Friendly, mooching deer can be gardeners’ bane

It would seem that it would be a simple matter to plan and plant a landscape/garden that the deer will ignore. Often, native plants serve well in deterring them too, but not always! Because, as bitter experience has shown, when all is said and done, a deer will come by in the night and eat up every single one of those “deer-proof” ornamentals we’ve just talked about!

Chicken recipe contest provides unique choices

Whether featured in Hawaiian-style skewers or California salad, or a multitude of other recipes, chicken proves its versatility.

Veggies, dessert combine for special meals

Today, veggies and a pair of simple desserts that you can make from mixes — or if you wish, the old-fashioned way — shine. Too, fresh veggies shine in several dishes to augment whatever main you choose to bring to the table.

Greens are better for you than you know

Since time immemorial, mamas and grandmas have told their children to eat their greens – generally to unhearing ears.

Veggies provide classic, classy dinnertime fare

The tomatoes are finally at their peak; bell- and mini-peppers dangle temptingly from their foliage; chard continues its non-fail production and many cabbages and cauliflower are ready to augment the dinner table.

Old favorite pie recipes stand the test of time

I was looking for a favorite pie recipe booklet a few weeks ago and couldn't find it anywhere. Last evening, I was reaching into the bookshelves for another book, and there was the pie book, right there on top. I guess my "cooking angel" decided it was time for me to find the recipe I wanted. Anyhow, I began reading it like a novel, perusing recipes like chapters and admiring illustrations as though they were scenes from a fantasy adventure.

Two perennial beauties: Clematis and peonies

Recently, I touted the benefits of vertical gardening, I mentioned clematis as a natural for that genre. I remarked that the gardener should be aware of the type of clematis planted, since some of them need heavy pruning, some just a little pruning and some, none at all. Today, I’ll cover that subject in more depth.

Special recipes feature salmon's goodness

It's funny how things happen. I received a packet from the Tabasco people the other day with a great salmon/pesto recipe and put it aside while I continued my perusal of a favorite cookbook I had rediscovered.

New landscaping project? Plan for the future

How many times have you brought home a spindly little, two-foot sapling that is a half-inch in diameter, and planted it in a nice out-of-the-way spot — maybe next to a fence — and then forgotten about it?

Sandwiches make for a super supper for all

Generally, when one thinks of hot sandwiches, one thinks of burgers, and that's OK, but there are a lot of other options out there.

'What do you mean my garden has warts?'

No, dear, your garden has 'worts'

Many gardeners will recognize today's little play on words. Indeed, back in medieval times, the term "worts" was used for many plants — generally, the useful ones, which we now term "herbs."

Mossy habitats can support bevy of ornamentals

Depending on individual property sites in our high-country North Idaho surroundings, area residents generally share an acidic soil situation — conducive to moss.

Winter's vegetables make cookery delightful

While we wait for the fresh local spring crop of veggies — spinach, asparagus, peas, baby turnips, and such — the produce counters at the market beckon with cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and “stored” items like potatoes, onions and carrots.

Baking sends everyone running to the kitchen

Baking is such a basic, almost primitive action that it brings about the most satisfaction of any sort of cookery.

Cramped for garden space? Go vertical instead

Sometimes we find ourselves with a minimum of space for planting "pretty" things. Perhaps all the available garden area is given to practical considerations — vegetables most likely, or maybe large perennial shrubs such as mature lilacs, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, or specimen roses that need space to themselves.

Room for only one garden? Try edible landscaping

If your plans revolve around a pretty — and mostly ornamental — garden with flowers and shrubs and you haven't the time or inclination to put in a vegetable garden as well, consider an edible landscape.

'Tater facts' from Bonner County's 'Spud Queen'

In this week's column, we bring you a bright ray of sunshine from Pat Van Volkinburg, advanced master gardener and acknowledged "Spud Queen" of Bonner County.

Companion planting helps vegetable gardens shine

Companion planting helps vegetable gardens shine

Tough as nails, 'delicate' plants deliver prolific beauty

Sometimes the most fragile-looking, airy plant is the toughest of all. If you have places that need softening — or just love the look of lacy, delicate foliage and flowers — these two are great choices, but they are only the tip of the iceberg. I've compiled a list of perennials that are truly fragile-looking in flower, leaf, and stem.

Black is the color of my true love's … garden?

I was reading an article by noted author and gardener Rob Proctor the other day, wherein he was musing on the possibilities of a black garden.

Perennials deliver low-maintenance, high-performance gardens

When establishing new garden beds, impatience can often get the best of us. We are an "instant gratification" society, and many folks just don't have the patience (or farsightedness) to wait for the blooms of perennials.

Peonies: Hello, garden, my long-lived friend

However, if you are debating which perennial selections to pick for your garden, consider the most rewarding of all — the peony. Yes, they want to be happy where they're planted, because once set, they shouldn't be moved, but if you have the right spot, plant two or three clumps for your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to enjoy long after you're gone.

Versatile pasta has starring role in winter cuisine

Today, the Country Chef’s spotlight shines on pasta — so elegant in salads and light side dishes in warm weather, and equally delightful as wintertime fare. We’ll spend two columns on this versatile subject, sharing recipes from far and near. Enjoy!

Ideas, tips and gardening wisdom

Recently in The Weekend Gardener, we talked about deer-proof plants and using them in the ornamental gardens. I quoted ideas from a variety of sources throughout the country, and will wrap up a few of their — and others’ — tips in today’s column.

Soup is a classic choice for cold nights

Today’s roundup of soups and stews will complete our three-week adventure in that realm of cuisine. I feel that these four offerings are outstanding, and except for our first, pretty much “all-American.”

Soups, chowders offer warming winter fare

Nothing is better on a cold fall or winter day than a bowl of hearty and delicious soup.

Soup: Hearty, healthy winter meal in a bowl!

Wintertime is soup time! But real, stick-to-the-ribs, hearty soup that satisfies not only hunger but the need for sustenance as well. When it’s cold outside, we want to leave the table feeling filled, stoked, satiated — ready for work, be it at the office or out shoveling snow.

Deer-resistant gardens keep moochers at bay

While we high-country Westerners may think we are the only gardeners to struggle with the depredations of deer, it’s not true.

Fresh herbs, fall veggies equal great food

Today, wearing the Chef hat, more “potpourri” ideas take the spotlight, this time as a melange of herb/veggie recipes. Green beans are rife now, so serve them often, as per this good dish.

'Kissing balls' add festive touch to holidays

One of the delights of the holidays is the opportunity to show affection and appreciation for those we love. One especially rewarding delight is the "kissing ball" — a delightful creation using fall's bounty to brighten the holidays. They're fun to make, and part of that fun is the gathering of herbs and greenery to create them.

Apples star in new roles every day

Always a treat raw — eaten in hand or sliced onto peanut butter sandwiches — as well as in the classic apple, raisin and walnut salad — it shines too in myriad cooked recipes.

Early autumn dictates garden, bird chores

Nippy nights and clear, cooler days reveal the onset of fall, and though there’s plenty of time for garden cleanup chores, a few vital preparations for upcoming cold weather are called for.

Crisp, tasty apples await kitchen magic

It’s fresh apple time, and if you are one of those people who lets your apples lie unused on the ground without a clue as to what to do with them, read on! (The rest of us will haunt the farmers’ markets and the region's orchards for organic apples and use them in any number of ways.)

Tomatoes are finally ripe: Ways to enjoy them!

I recently noted that while tomatoes were rampant on supermarkets’ produce counters, they were not ripe here in our area, and when that time came, I would provide some recipes suitable to their wonderfulness (my own word).

Fall nears; time to divide, transplant and set bulbs

Our hot, dry summer has been wonderful for the grain and produce harvest, but really rough on those of use with ornamental gardens that need plenty of water. However, fall is on the way, and from now until freezing is time to put out bulbs, tubers corms. You can divide, transplant or plant new bulbs (or plants) now.

Super sandwiches, slaw, for summer suppers

Today, as promised, we’ll explore the all-time favorite summer supper — sandwiches and salad.

Hot, dry weather inspires fireproofing

Weekend Gardener Valle Novak sat with a cup of coffee at her Sandpoint area home, waiting for it to get her heart started for the day, when she noticed a frenzy of activity in the leafy branches of one of her Rocky Mountain Maples. Curious, she grabbed her ever-present binoculars and focused in on — a hummingbird.

Festival goodies easy to create, tote around

Today we offer a plethora of goodies to take to the Festival, or any picnic outing. A little work at home makes for a simple packing-up of great snacks in your cooler or hamper for on-site enjoyment.

Season's produce brightens summer meals

Asparagus, spinach, new peas, strawberries — delightful produce is brightening market counters and our gardens will soon follow. Today, the Country Chef offers some tasty and savory goodies to welcome the season.

Time to select and plant roses: Tips, pest recipes

Today I repeat my annual plea on behalf of the roses. Essentially hardy perennials, they want to live, and can do so for literally hundreds of years — if their purchasers/planters provide the basics: Site, proper selection, planting, and care.

Home-baked biscuits enhance summer suppers

With warm weather settling in for the holiday weekend, it's the perfect time to use fresh fruits and herbs to enhance our meals.

Foliage takes top billing over flowers in leafy landscapes

There are those in the landscaping world who do not dote on flowers but prefer the many forms, textures and variety of colors available in foliage plants. This is an understandable preference when one considers the enormous array of beautiful ornamentals in which flowers are secondary to the drama of the leaves.

Cold, rainy days best spent baking cookies

Sometimes it appears that true spring will never get here! I find solace from the cold, rainy, cloudy skies in the kitchen where the warmth of the oven and good smells from baking waft away thoughts of the weather.

Recipes, tasty tips add up to a fabulous Easter dinner

Today is Easter Sunday, a time of joyous celebration, is a time for happy family get-togethers, and the accompanying feasting is appropriate.

Low-growing perennials serve as living fences

I recently offered some ideas for hedges as property line borders, separation of the garden/home landscape into “rooms,” and as useful dividing lines between veggie or ornamental gardens. Tall hedges were the point, for their efficiency in maintaining privacy is a “must” for some. You can, however, achieve the same separation of areas — if privacy is not an issue — with lower-growing borders that offer more options for floral/leafy beauty and other considerations such as fragrance, variety and ease of removal (transplanting) if you change your mind after time.

Hedges offer beauty, privacy and enhancement

Many years ago, Valle wrote of hedgerows — the type that once bordered cultivated fields in the U.S. and still exist in great numbers in the British Isles. Today, I tone down that beautiful practice into a very practical land-scape planting consideration, hedges.

Inexpensive, romantic meals for any time of year

The sweetest holiday of them all was recently here — St. Valentine’s Day, but you don't need to save this delicious meal for Feb. 14. So, with the touching tale of that nicest of saints to inspire us, we’ll look at some worthy but affordable fare with which to honor our own favorite sweethearts.

Turn that rock pile into a fabulous garden

All it takes to turn that pile of rocks at the edge of your property into a beautiful showpiece, is a load of soil, perhaps a little rock-rearranging, and plants.

Sweep winter away with a taste of the tropics

One usually thinks of our most beautiful state — Hawaii — as a vacation paradise, but its lavish supply of year-round fruits makes it much more: our wintertime culinary solution. Mangos, papayas, avocados, coconut, bananas, kiwi, guava, citrus and pineapple come to supermarket produce counters just when we need them most, with refreshing taste, variety, and loads of Vitamin C to make up for our loss of sunshine.

Plan landscape with ‘deer-proof’ plants

When all’s said and done, a hungry deer will eat just about anything. However, Weekend Gardener Valle Novak compiled a list from several sources, some of which agree with each other, some offering species not included by others, and some unique ideas for those wishing to include plants beloved by deer in their landscape.

Hearty menu offers satisfying cold weather supper

When it’s drizzling outside — or snowing or freezing — whatever new quirk our winter is gifting us with — old-timey, warming, and satisfying meals take the sting from January weather.

Hardy shrubs deliver glorious blooms, welcome color

So many selections are hardy in our chilly Zone 3-5 area that it’s easy to choose from several varieties. You may wish for color, in bark and leaf as well as flower, perhaps fruit for the bird population, or maybe drama of bloom. Whatever your wishes, there is a shrub or small tree for you.

Tasty, hearty fare satisfies winter appetites

Wow! It's the start of another year and it's time to tone down the consump­tion of rich, heavy meals and return to some down­home "comfort" foods to bring the new year in properly.

Landscaping options help lure, protect birds

The Grow Native movement is becoming more and more accepted by home/land owners who appreciate the gifts of birds and wildlife that come with natural planting.

Veggies, seafood turn pancakes into special meals

Today, pundits are pushing for a simpler way of living, but I, child of the Great Depression, have always lived it. Lucky me, to have a Norwegian mom and grandma, and a German grandma as well, all of whom were superlative cooks-from-scratch (which was how it was back then) and planted within me the seed to always peel my own spuds, chop and grate my own veggies, and never buy packaged foods!

Special consideration needed for butterfly gardens

Everyone loves butterflies and enjoys having them visit their flower gardens. Many people purposely plant fragrant and colorful annuals and perennials to lure these lovely creatures, and call the results “butterfly gardens,” but there’s much more to it than that, writes Weekend Gardener Valle Novak.

Easy hors d'oeuvres brighten holiday meals

In this classic column from Country Chef Valle Novak, holiday entertaining takes the spotlight.

A testament to wisdom of wild creatures

When I moved here from the Cd’A area in 1980, I bought a great log home on Smith Creek Road off Wrenco Loop. The five-acre property was exactly one mile from Wrenco and boasted a substantial outbuilding which had sheltered the original owners, Ed and Sally Fugle, while they built their house by hand with their own sawmill and on-site trees. I turned the outbuilding into a chicken house and with the gift of five chickens, began my sojourn as a landowner, crop-grower, wood-choppin’ Earth Mother.

Fresh herbs, fall veggies, great food brighten autumn

Country Chef Valle Novak shares delicious tastes of fall that take advantage of fresh harvests from the garden.

Provide shelter for nature’s creatures

Giving a hand to nature’s creatures is such a delight; their trust is humbling, and their antics keep one in stitches much of the time.

Fresh summer vegetables provide savory, hearty dishes

Carrots, green beans and zucchini tumble in profusion on local gardens, produce shelves and at farmers markets now. Today we bring you some wonderful recipes to fully appreciate and enjoy them.

Xeriscaping helps thwart dry summer heat

Our North Idaho summers have become a beach-lover’s dream and a gardener’s nightmare with hot days and no rain for seemingly endless weeks. But don’t despair, all you green-thumbers, Help is at hand!

Let pasta feast take you to sunny Mediterranean

Pasta stars in some elegant and satisfying recipes that need only a couple of “go-withs” and a bottle of wine to make the dinner table more inviting than ever. Enjoy!

Harvest herbs now for delightful gifts

Lavender, tarragon, thyme, mint, rosemary, parsley, and sage — along with a host of other culinary herbs — are at their prime for harvest and drying now, and it’s the perfect time to put together your Christmas herb bouquets garni for friends and family.

Give your Festival feast a bit of Oriental flair

While the many excellent food booths at The Festival at Sandpoint offer superlative temptations, sometimes you want to bring your supper to enjoy it along with the great music and the added ambiance of the resident ospreys.

Plethora of goodies make for delightful Festival treats

From canapés to lettuce wraps to a delightful fruit salad, a little work at home makes for a delightful picnic or Festival meal — or a low-key dinner at home, writes Country Chef Valle Novak.

Rich, nutritious compost feeds hungry plants

Compost should be comprised of “greens” and “browns”

Don't confuse mulch, composting

Mulch is a layer of material, preferably organic, placed on the soil surface.

Celebrate summer with fabulous soup, sensational salads

Country Chef Valle Novak shares tasty recipes in this classic column

Cool, delectable summer pies hit the sweet spot

Walla Walla sweet onions, seafood combine for a delicious summer meal

Herbs treats, wonderful rhubarb crisps and cookies

Spotlight turns to fresh produce, delicious food

Summer's coming so get the treats ready

Summer menus generally run to quick, simple and tasty.

Summer suppers enhanced with easy biscuits

With warm weather finally arriving, we can look forward to fresh fruits and herbs to enhance our meals

Zucchini shines in seasonal summer fare

Zucchini is perhaps the most versatile of veggies — and the most taken for granted

A lifetime focus on birds, critters and nature’s gifts

Celebrate and protect nature

Old roses provide breathtaking beauty, scent, history

Old, or antique, roses are appreciated by many

All about roses: pruning, wild rose primer, and old roses

Of all the flowers in all the world the rose is number one

Love roses? Choose natives for beauty, scent, hardiness

If you’re planning on putting in some roses, pick what’s right for the area and your space

Tired of mowing the lawn? Consider today’s advice

Natural lawns look beautiful, cut down on the chores

An international array of spring-to-summer salads

Regardless of the time of year, salads are a delight

Rhubarb: Spring’s overlooked culinary gift

Provide beauty, source for delicious treats

Don’t allow chemicals to destroy garden safety

Natural best for a beautiful garden

Landscapes rock with drama, practicality

Weekend Gardener Valle Novak writes that her first gardens were of the typical raised-bed layout but that changed when she discovered rock gardening

Native shrubs are the answer to landscaping needs

Whether tree, shrub or ground cover, natives guarantee long-lived shelter and often sustenance for bird and wildlife as well as beauty to your surroundings

Super companion planting list includes veggies, herbs, flowers

Though June 5 is still the optimum – safest – time to plant the veggies (and most everything else) it’s a good idea to spend some of March’s bluster planning where and how to work with some of your favorites. Over the years, this column has enlarged its focus to include companions of every ilk – veggies, fruits, herbs, flowers and even some “weeds” – for you to utilize or ignore as you see fit. That said, here’s your annual list. Enjoy!

Memories of a long life: Travel, food, birds

Yesterday marked the 92nd year of the life of Country Chef and Weekend Gardener, Valle Novak

Fish for dinner — Just for the halibut

There’s just one caveat for preparing fish: Don't overcook.

French Country Garden dazzles with edible beauty

Bright bounty of dwarf blueberry bushes make the perfect edible ornamental

Legend of St. Valentine offers peace, love

St. Valentine’s Day is the epitome of love, kindness and sacrifice.

Treasured old cookie recipes still delight

Country Chef Valle Novak shares a treasure trove of classic cookie recipes.

Curry stars in warming winter soups

Winter soups warm the cockles of your heart

Add wild onions to your garden/landscape

For centuries here and abroad, cultures have used wild onions and their relatives — as food and medicine.

Lilies offer hardy beauty to garden landscape

Superb as garden plants, beautiful as long-lasting cut flowers, and ideal container plants, lilies boast a hardiness that belies their fragile beauty.

Violets welcome spring in garden and forest

Look down, now and then, so you don’t overlook the 'prettiest gift of all'

Christmas gift plants can live for years

From poinsettias to cyclamen, floral gifts are a delight

Welcome 2022 with luscious, unique desserts

Country Chef Valle Novak shares dishes designed for celebration

Pasta, seafood delights shine at Christmas buffet

Recipes help holiday celebrations sparkle

Yuletide treats and a wild bird update

Country Chef Valle Novak shares tasty holiday treats, news of the wild

Chocolate stars in delicious holiday goodies

Country Chef Valle Novak rounded up some favorites for readers to begin their Christmas candy/cookie adventures in the kitchen.

Mossy habitat can support bevy of ornamentals

Moss can be just the ticket in certain spots, writes Weekend Gardener Valle Novak.

Spuds take the spotlight for Thanksgiving

Country Chef Valle Novak shares tasty recipes for the holiday

Fab fare on the menu as holidays near

Unique and fabulous offerings make holidays extra-special

It's time for final garden chores

Make it easy on yourself

Let practicality take over season's final garden chores

Happy Halloween and a few trick or treat possibilities

Some people think of Halloween in terms of seasonal food.

Ornamental greenery enhances landscape

Weekend Gardener Valle Novak writes that it's time to plan for greenery in your landscape

Cookies are perfect Halloween ‘treats’

Great cookies make ideal holiday treat

October’s beauty belies its warning of winter

Welcome, October!

Labor Day Weekend proved perfect for planting party!

A few willing hands proves it doesn’t take a big crew to accomplish a large undertaking

Delectable cookery for your hard-earned mushrooms

The best s’hroom recipes are simple, says Country Chef Valle Novak. Today’s offerings provide the proof of that along with some elegant culinary possibilities.

Late September heralds mushroom season: Keys to success

We are blessed with an abundance of edible mushrooms, and learning where to find them is a delight.

Time is now to transplant perennials, ornamentals

Now is the time to start your fall gardening chores