Raise the roots

So you got a late start on your garden and you’re tired of buying fresh herbs at the grocery store. L.L. Bean can help. The company’s Raised Bed Planter is a garden to go. Just add dirt and some plants and voila! An instant herb garden. Made of white cedar and available in white or natural, the planter measures 36 inches square by 16 inches high. It costs $149 ($169 if you want a white one) and is available by calling (800) 221-4221 or online at www.llbean.com/home.

Taste of Maine

Jonathan King and Jim Stott, The condiment kings of York, Maine, have compiled 75 of their favorite recipes in “The Stonewall Kitchen Cookbook: Favorite Pantry Recipes.” The book incorporates Stonewall Kitchen products into its recipes, such as crab chowder with a spicy corn relish, but they offer substitutes if you happen to be out of a particular relish, jam or lemon curd. The cookbook costs $28 and is available by calling (800) 207-JAMS or online at www.stonewallkitchen.com. While supplies last, customers will receive an autographed copy of the book.

Talking turkey

The SPAM recipe competition at the Bangor State Fair has a new twist. Rather than use the same old ham SPAM, cooks this year must incorporate the new SPAM Oven Roasted Turkey product in their recipes. The contest requires that in addition to using the turkey variety, entrants must use no more than nine other ingredients and create an original recipe that takes less than 30 minutes to cook. Recipes will be judged on taste appeal, appearance and originality. Last year, a recipe for SPAM Cupcakes (pictured) by Estelle Schmidt of Kansas won the grand prize. For contest rules, visit www.spam.com and click on “EAT SPAM” or call the Bangor State Fair entry office at 942-9000.