By Sharon Cohoon, Sunset senior garden writer

Garden Rant linked to The Renegade Gardener's 2008 High Spot/Black Spot awards, yesterday.  Several things on Don Engebretson's year-end list made me laugh.  Like Susan Harris, I loved his steamy description of 'Green Spice' Heuchera, his favorite perennial of the year.  Reading his text made me blush.

I found his commentary on extremists in the locavore movement interesting, too.  (They earned his black spot of the year award.)  It's one thing to attempt to grow all your own food if you live in a mild climate like Southern California, Engebretson's reminded me, but quite another if you live in a short-growing season climate like Minnesota.  Here's how he concludes his pan:

"So to the happy, realistic locavores of America—thumbs up. It’s a fine option, and if my choices of locally grown foodstuffs available at my nearby markets increase in the future, hey, all the better. But I also maintain my freedom to splurge on Florida oranges, California asparagus, Belgian chocolates and Danish sugar cookies. I live in Minnesota, after all. Any of you ever tried Minnesota-raised foie gras? It’s terrible."