With an abundance of ripe heirloom tomatoes and Italian basil this month, the two flavors are naturals to be enjoyed together. Doesn't this pesto look like green gold? I started my basil from planted rows of basil seed tape. This was a new method, which looking back worked out well. It took a while for the seedlings to rev up, but with our recent heat, all the basil took off.

I had an abundance of vine-ripened Sun Gold and Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes from the garden. The vibrant color alone is so beautiful.  These tomatoes are  ripe, sweet and ready to eat. I halved the cherry tomatoes, and added a little coarse sea salt and pepper. I then set the tomatoes aside, until the pasta was cooked.

I made the Classic Basil Pesto recipe out of the new The Sunset Edible Garden Cookbook: Fresh, Healthy Cooking from the Garden. Sunset mentions that they originally published this recipe in 1959, and back them suggested serving it over sliced fresh mozzarella slices. When I made this recipe, I doubled it. I would not suggest doubling the garlic amount, when doubling the recipe.

I have really enjoyed this new edible cookbook, and would highly recommend it. It is a great natural step for the gardener, and how to best use one's harvest. I like the recipes, the format, and the photos. There are many more tempting pesto recipes to try, too. Parsley-Mint Pistachio Pesto, Swiss Chard Pesto Pasta, Arugula Pesto Farfalle anyone?

Please share  your favorite pesto recipe from the garden.

Sunset has many exciting projects happening this spring, Sunset's News This Spring. One of them is their brand new Sunset Edible Garden Cookbook. Sunset Food Editor, Margo True, has done a phenomenal job with her new cookbook. I read it in an afternoon like a novel. Beautiful photography adds "mouth-watering" appeal. I found the recipes relatively simple to make, with special emphasis on letting the edible home-grown flavors shine.

This softcover cookbook covers vegetables, fruits, and herbs in a flowing, organized way. Tantalizing recipes cover each edible, along with sections on basic ways to cook, why grow them, when to harvest, how to keep, and how to preserve the harvest, if applicable. Sometimes there is an "extra reward" section featuring more tips.

Please comment below for an opportunity to win a Sunset Edible Garden Cookbook. Please comment below on your favorite mother-daughter garden memory. Participants must be U.S. Residents. Deadline to post a comment is Sunday, May 6, 2012.

Congratulations to the winners, Elaine Lewis (CA), Sara Sweatman (PA), Karlin DiMarcello (SC), Kelsy Dean (TX), and Leon Flint (CA).  Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

In the midst of last week's San Francisco Flower and Garden Show 2012, Sunset's garden editors and magazine warmly welcomed an intimate group of garden bloggers to their headquarters, test kitchen, and gardens.

Sunset's  headquarters is located on a historical property which was originally part of an old spanish land grant. The subtle fawn-colored building was originally designed by famed architect, Cliff May in the early 1950's, and landscaped by Thomas Church. It is a stunning setting that evokes all the beauty and creativity that Sunset is known for.

As a special treat, Sunset Garden Editors, Kathy Brenzel, Julie Chai, Johanna Silver, along with Sunset Food Editor, Margo True, and her test kitchen staff welcomed us with a special breakfast to celebrate sneak peeks of exciting upcoming Sunset projects.

First, the celebration of the just-released, The New Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (Sunset Western Garden Book). Second, a tasty and "oh so delicious" breakfast featuring recipes from the new The Sunset Edible Garden Cookbook: Fresh, Healthy Cooking from the Garden, soon to be released in April 2012. Third, Senior Editor, Julie Chai, spoke about the exciting new launch of the Sunset Western Garden Collection "of top performing plants for the Western gardener" available in local garden centers beginning in May 2012.

After our relaxing and informative breakfast, we were further treated to a tour of Sunset's beautiful grounds, and a peek at the test and project gardens that Associate Editor, Johanna Silver oversees. It couldn't have been a more memorable morning, and I was thrilled to be a part of it. Thank you Sunset.

The New Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (Sunset Western Garden Book), edited by Senior Editor, Kathy Brenzel, is very user-friendly, completely revised and updated with over 2,000 beautiful color photographs and a 9,000 plant encyclopedia. The popular "Plant Finder" tool has also been updated and enhanced. It  features many " handy design tools"  to help with your individual microclimate, water conservation needs, sustainable interests, and creative garden projects.

I asked Kathy Brenzel at our breakfast, what she wanted readers to take away from reading and using this book.  Brenzel replied, "One can garden anywhere creatively, such as a table top, on an urban roof top, or even vertically on a wall. Claim your space, and create a sense of place which calls to your soul."

Please share with a comment below, how Sunset's Western Garden Book has personally helped you in your garden. Five lucky commenters will be chosen, and will receive a copy of the latest, The New Sunset Western Garden Book 2012. Participants must be U.S. Residents. Be sure and provide an e-mail address for contacting. Deadline to post comments is Monday, April 9, 2012. 

Congratulations to the winners, and thanks for participating. Enjoy your New Sunset Western Garden Book!  Elaine Lewis from Covina, CA. Judy Sundermann from Santa Ana, CA. Heather Hazen from Leucadia, CA.