1 minute read
Grow and Share
THERE IS A COTTAGE in the heart of Olde Town Slidell that has inspired northshore cooking for many years. When she opened Passionate Platter in 2000, Linda Franzo combined her love for gardening with a passion for sharing the bounty of her garden with others. Touring the garden with her is like going on an inspirational field trip. She makes you feel like we are all capable of herb and vegetable gardening.
The first bit of advice she gives is to grow what you love. Her plantings are placed in thematic zones. For instance, the Herbs de Provence section is filled with herbs often used together in cooking that require the same amount of water, sunlight and tlc. The same is true of the Cajun and Italian sections, and so on. What region speaks to you? Linda can help you bring that into your garden, selecting the right varieties and giving you tips to get started. Her seedlings often take root in roasting pans tucked into large ziplock bags. Eventually, they are transplanted into pots on the patio.
Another feature of her garden is an arbor that might inspire featuring the climbing Peggy Martin rose. Linda says that this hardy variety is a special rose that was propagated after Katrina. The tough-as-nails stunner survived underwater for two weeks in the aftermath of the storm. Her rambling pink blooms make quite a statement. highlight of your tour through the Passionate Platter garden is the “hands on, crush this and smell it, nibble on the leaves” invitation. Linda uses all organic products in the garden, so nibble away! This great idea is good for her grandchildren and pets as well.
To schedule a cooking class with friends, reach out to Passionate Platter at (985) 781-4372.
