One Seed Chicago wants to help us all garden together - but you have to help pick what we grow. more ›

Getting Fresh is a seasonal exploration of fresh herbs. From cultivation to cooking, join us as we get our hands dirty and add a little extra spice to life. If you have any favorite uses for the herbs we cover or questions, please share them in the comments section. more ›

The USDA regularly tests produce for pesticides and other chemicals - and they were surprised to find cilantro (the first fresh herb tested) was absolutely loaded with pesticides. The Tribune's Monica Eng reported that 94% of the samples taken by the USDA tested positive for at least one pesticide, and 44% showed pesticides not approved for use in Cilantro - the number in apples was 2%. more ›

Getting Fresh is a seasonal exploration of fresh herbs. From cultivation to cooking, join us as we get our hands dirty and add a little extra spice to life. more ›

On Saturday, May 14, the weekly Farmers Market on Division Street between State and Clark streets opened for the season. It was one of several neighborhood markets around Chicago to open this past Saturday. We paid a visit, slinging both camera and canvas sack, to see what had been helped along by the short-lived heatwave we experienced last week. That it's still early in the Midwest growing season was evident in the relatively sparse offerings; nevertheless, some good-looking greens, fulsome fungi and an array of young potted plants all signaled a promising summer of cellulose ahead. more ›

There are a thousand reasons why summer dining in Chicago is so fantastic. One of the best being fresh, locally grown ingredients and it doesn't get any fresher than when chefs grow their own ingredients in restaurant or home gardens. An increasing number of chefs are doing so including some of our faves: Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill, Paul Kahan of Blackbird, George Djurovic of August Grocery, (just to name a few.) more ›

Question: You're at your local farmers market with $25 in your pocket. You want to buy a load of fresh herbs and vegetables and, maybe, something to nibble while walking around. What do you do? more ›