ON THE SHELF: BOOK TOUTS FAST-GROWING VEGETABLES
Sometimes, impatience is a virtue.
Certain vegetables are at their tastiest when they're very young. Those are the plants Mark Diacono and Lia Leendertz focus on in "The Speedy Vegetable Garden."
The book covers plants requiring a range of effort, from seeds that need only be soaked before they're enjoyed to veggies with a fairly fast turnaround from planting to harvest. Also included are sprouts, micro greens, edible flowers and salad greens.
Diacono and Leendertz, who are journalists as well as gardeners, include instructions for growing and harvesting the vegetables and recipes for enjoying what you've grown.
"The Speedy Vegetable Garden" is published by Timber Press and sells for $18.95 in paperback.
WHAT'S NEW: CANNING JAR REVIVES VINTAGE DESIGN
Canning jars aren't just for canning anymore.
The company that makes Ball canning jars saw jar sales increase 31 percent in 2102, a phenomenon it attributes to uses such as home decor and crafting.
So creative types might be interested in a vintage-inspired jar introduced recently by the manufacturer of Ball jars, Jarden Home Brands.
The Ball Heritage Collection Jar commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Perfect Mason Jar, which offered a jar, lid and band in a single unit for a perfect fit. The commemorative pint jar is made of blue glass and is embossed with a vintage Ball logo and anniversary dates.
It's available from www.FreshPreservingStore.com or retailers that sell canning supplies. The suggested retail price is $9.99 for a package of six jars.
Q&A: DON'T MICROWAVE MELAMINE DISHES
Q: Can you microwave old melamine dishes?
A: You should not, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
Melamine dishes are made from melamine resin, a hard plastic made from the chemical compounds melamine and formaldehyde. Heating the dishes to 160 degrees Fahrenheit or higher can cause an unacceptable amount of the chemical melamine to migrate into highly acidic foods, the FDA says.
Nevertheless, it's safe to serve hot food on melamine dishes, the administration says.
Have a question about home maintenance, decorating or gardening? Akron Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge will find answers for the queries that are chosen to appear in the paper. To submit a question, call her at 330-996-3756, or send email to mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com. Be sure to include your full name, your town and your phone number or email address.
• Read more articles by MARY BETH BRECKENRIDGE
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