On the QT | The Official Newsletter of GWA October-November 2016 | Page 7

— Continued from page 6

modest. Gently dig up a patch of ginger. You’ll
notice that the plants are connected below
the soil by a network of stolons. Snip several
lengths of stolon from between individual
plants, leaving some roots attached to the base
of each plant. Replant the plants, and bring the
stolons into the kitchen. Wild ginger has layers
of spice, sweetness, and heat.

I know foraging isn’t for everyone. There’s
uncertainty involved with identifying unknown
plants in the wild. But you already know what’s
growing in your own backyard, so why not
expand your edible plant palate? Try some of
those tasty ornamentals already growing
at home. Cheers!
Ellen Zachos is the author of seven books including
Backyard Foraging: 65 Familiar Plants You Didn’t
Know You Could Eat. She is the foraging expert at
About.com, a regular contributor to several of the
Edible magazines, and a senior regional advisor at
Garden Compass, a plant identification app. She
works with RemyUSA, and is teaching foraging
mixology workshops across the U.S. for The Botanist
Gin. Her book, The Wildcrafted Cocktail, will be
published in April, 2017.

ENJOY A KENTUCKY BELLE COCKTAIL
Ready to make your cocktail? The Kentucky
Belle balances the warm, sweet flavor of bourbon with tart crabapples, spicebush berries,
and dark, spicy wild ginger.
In a shaker full of ice, combine two ounces
of infused bourbon and one teaspoon of wild
ginger syrup. Shake for 30 seconds. Strain into
a champagne coupe and top with two ounces
of seltzer.

Renowned horticulturist, author and educator
Allan Armitage served as emcee for announcements
of GWA’s 2016 Gold Awards recipients during the
banquet in Atlanta.

Vince Dooley, retired University of Georgia
football coach, tells GWA visitors about a book
about his gardens. About 50 members visited
his garden in Athens, Georgia, during the 2016
GWA Conference & Expo after tour.

PHOTO COURTESY CAITLIN NORTON

Horticulturist, author, professor and plant
breeder Michael Dirr talks with GWA members
Teresa Speight (center) and Kate Bryant about
his garden in Athens, Georgia, during the
2016 GWA Conference & Expo after tour.

PHOTO COURTESY CAROL MICHEL

PHOTO COURTESY CAROL MICHEL

GWA announces Gold
Medal Winners

At the 2016 GWA Conference & Expo in Atlanta, GWA Secretary Maria Zampini (left) quizzed
Maria LaRosa from the Weather Channel about meteorology, global warming, gardening and other
questions submitted by members.

During the 2016 GWA Awards and Honors
Dinner, sponsored by Proven Winners ColorChoice Plants and emceed by Allan Armitage,
the recipients of GWA Honors and GWA Media
Awards Silver Medal winners were recognized,
and the 2016 Media Award Gold Medal winners
were announced. GWA congratulates this year’s
winners!
• Best Overall Book, Craig LeHoullier
and Storey Publishing, Epic Tomatoes: How to
Select and Grow the Best Varieties of All Time
• Best Overall Magazine, Beckie Fox, Michael
Fox and Inspiring Media, Inc.,
Garden Making, Issue No. 24, Garden Essentials
• Best Overall Electronic Media, David Calle,
The Good Garden: Garden History Design
Inspiration
• Best Overall Broadcast Media, Linda
Lehmusvirta, Central Texas Gardener
• Best Overall Trade, George Coombs & Mt.
Cuba Center, “Coreopsis for the Mid-Atlantic
Region”
• Best Writing Book, Ken Druse, The New
Shade Garden: Creating a Lush Oasis in the
Age of Climate Change
• Best Writing Magazine, Teresa Woodard,
“Honey Harvest”
• Best Writing Newspaper/Newsletter/
Brochure, Jeff Lowenfels,
“Immortality and Grandpa’s Daylilies”, et al.
• Best Writing Electronic, Teresa Odle,
GardeninginaDrought.com
• Best Photography, Bob Stefko, “Honey
Harvest”
• Best On-Air Talent, Nan Sterman, A Growing
Passion
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