frontdoor foraging in the garden-at-camont
“You could plant a stone at Camont and it would grow!” I think of Vetou saying this 20+ years ago as I first started gardening at Camont. First a swath of English-ish border plants lined the pathway to the canal: poppies, roses, lavender… Next, Jhon Corbin- artist/matelot/friend, created a wine bottle border sculpture- Camont Woman-that filled in over the years with day lilies, delphinium, and more roses… Until she was rousted... Read More
it’s all about the buzzzzz: NEW working grrls-at-Camont
Oh Honey! Beekeeping-at-Camont, Round 2. A couple summers ago I trapped? caught? coaxed? a wild swarm to move into my waiting hive- la ruche. I savored the summer apiarist antics while discovering the sweet taste of Camont, letting the garden wild up, and learning from my favorite beekeeper- Narcisse Ferronato. The winter was hard, the swarm was fickle, bee mites attacked and the bees were all gone by the spring. Like many new things I’ve... Read More
Can U Garden? The French Potager part 1.
My secrets to planting a successful French Potager or kitchen canning garden this year? Perfect Spring weather. Dense soil left dormant all winter as chickens did daily slug and poop patrols. Kitchen window fertilizer. The first two are easy to understand. This year a dry warm spring means the Garonne River Valley is awash in perfect pink and cream frosted orchards. From here, I can see a bumper crop of peches de vignes, those juicy red... Read More
Charcutepalooza kids in a candy store…
My local hardware store in Agen, Fance with all the fixing to slice, grind, crock, jar and can through Charcutepalooza. Read More
Cochon & Charcuterie: Workshops from Gascony
Cochon & Charcuterie- a workshop with Gascon farmer/butcher Dominique Chapolard and American cook/teacher Kate Hill of the Kitchen-at-Camont. In Gascony where Chapolard farms and Hill teaches at her 18th century Kitchen-at-Camont, good pork, duck, lamb and beef provide the backbone of classic charcuterie. Kate and Dominique are bringing their savoir-faire and love for this good Gascon food on tour to America with Cochon & Charcuterie:... Read More
