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<< Previous   of   Next >> Photo by Eric Piasecki  (click to enlarge) While growing grapes on the vine can take time, the effort is worth it. Try to purchase a plant that is a couple of years old.   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Golden kitchen 5/28/09   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, May 28, 2009 Start with older plants, and grapes are worth the effort Martha Stewart Living Q I've heard that growing grapes takes time and a lot of effort. Do you think it's worth planting vines? A: It's definitely worth it. When I grew the Concord variety, we used them as dessert grapes, and they were simply delicious. Look for plants that are 1 year or 2 years old. These will be easier to manage than younger ones, and they will start vining sooner. Q: What is a good way to preserve cards and letters? A: Paper is susceptible to damage from numerous factors, including air pollutants, mold and insects. To preserve your correspondence, store items unfolded in acid-free archival boxes in a stable environment, such as a cool, dark closet; set the boxes on a shelf to protect them in case of flooding. Don't keep papers in an attic or a basement, where the constant fluctuations in temperature and humidity may cause them to deteriorate more rapidly. With proper care, good-quality paper (made with a high percentage of cotton rag) can last 100 years or more. If you prefer to keep your treasures on display, consider framing them, or enlist the help of a professional. Use an acid-free mat board and an archival adhesive, such as starch paste. Do not let the paper touch the glass, because if condensation occurs, the fibers may stick and suffer harm. Hang the frames away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. Another way to conserve the messages inside cards and letters is to scan them. Although this exposes them to a potentially damaging flash of light -- a factor worth considering if your documents are especially old or valuable -- the scanned copies can be stored on your hard drive and passed electronically among friends and family. To share the originals, use polyester or polypropylene sleeves to limit the amount of handling. Q: Do you recommend planting different herbs together in the same pot? A: In general, most herbs can be planted together. However, some hardier types, including rosemary, thyme and sage, require less water than soft-stemmed herbs such as basil, chervil, chives and parsley. You might want to separate the hard-stemmed varieties from the soft-stemmed ones by planting them in two pots or barrels. This allows you to water them according to their needs. Q: Can grated orange or lemon zest be stored in the freezer for future use? A: Although most potent when fresh, zest can be frozen for up to three months. Remove it in the usual manner, using a zester, or create long, thin strips with a vegetable peeler. Take only the colored rind, not the bitter, white layer underneath, known as pith. Place teaspoon- or tablespoon-size portions of zest in individual resealable plastic bags. Label accordingly, and store in the freezer. The next time a recipe calls for zest, simply remove the appropriate amount from the freezer and thaw at room temperature. Q: Is there a way to clean the pull cords on my shades and blinds? A: Even clean hands emit natural oils, which can make often-handled, light-colored surfaces such as pull cords appear dingy over time. In general, avoid getting the cord wet, as this is likely to attract more dust, says Jane Macrone of Manhattan Shade & Glass. Instead, wipe it with a lint-free cloth when you clean the shades or blinds, or carefully vacuum it using a small dust-brush attachment. Also, try to minimize direct contact with the cord by handling the wooden or plastic tassel at the end whenever possible. If your pull cord already shows serious wear, you can have it replaced by a window-treatment installer, or do the work yourself using a kit available at most hardware and home supply stores. Q: Is rice flour a good choice for gluten-intolerant people, and can it replace regular flour in most recipes? A: People with gluten intolerance or celiac disease should avoid eating wheat, barley or rye. Although rice flour is a great alternative, it should not be used as a substitute in recipes that call for all-purpose flour or other flours because it is silkier and smoother than wheat flour and will react differently with the other ingredients. Instead, look for recipes that specifically call for rice flour. Questions should be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036. E-mail to mslletters@marthastewart.com. © 2009 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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