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Archive for September, 2010

Covent Garden is nestled at West End in Central London with a history dating back to the 17th century. It was in 1630s that the 4th Earl of Bedford commissioned the British architect Inigo Jones to design and build a residential square in the West Minster Abbeyâ??s Convent Garden. Inspired by his travels to Italy, Jones designed the very first public square of England, the Covent Gardenâ??s piazza. Inigo Jones introduced innovative town planning features to the English community such as the Palladian architecture for buildings and well organized straight streets. In fact Covent Garden still retains much of its original streets and names unchanged to date. As time passed Covent Garden was occupied as a fruit and vegetable market. Following the pineapple boom in 1650s, artists and craftsmen adapted pineapple motif into their creative works. As a reminiscent of the olden times, each hanging lantern at the arcade is capped by a golden colour pineapple. Between 19th and 20th century the square was renowned as the main fruit and vegetable market in London which occupied more than 1000 porters. Presently Covent Garden has become a .. more »

When Herb gardening, first and foremost you must have a plan before you begin your endeavor. This is the first deadly sin herb gardeners commit consistently. You can grow an herb garden for cooking, or medicine or beauty. Choose which one will fulfill your needs, or have beds or containers for all three. If you are a beginner it is best to start off with just one so that you are not overwhelmed. You want this to be fun and creative, not a job you grow to hate. The best way to come up with a plan is to concentrate on a theme. Then narrow it down to a sub-theme. Most people grow culinary herbs so let's start there. If you love French cooking plant the herbs that you will be using in your meals. French herbs are savory, marjoram, thyme, oregano and rosemary. Add some parsley and bay and you have the perfect bouquet garni to add to your soups or stews. If you prefer classic Italian fare you should plant Italian parsley, marjoram, thyme, oregano and sweet .. more »