Musings on horticultural therapy and the soothing effects of plants and nature
It is wildflower season and one of my favorites, chicory, can be found next to nearly any road around here. This bright blue plant is somewhat reminiscent of bachelor buttons and is a herbaceous plant. Unappreciated and untended, chicory reached the height of popularity during WW II when its ground and roasted roots became a […]
It’s blueberry picking time and Charlotte and Olivia can’t wait. Even though the harvest is slim, both have the eye of a hungry bird in being able to focus on and grab any ripe berry in their reach. Given their desires, their baskets are often more empty than their tummies making extras for Juana and […]
Shadblow serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) is one of my favorite native small trees. It is interesting to look at in all seasons. Lovely blooms in the Spring, vibrant Fall foliage and early Summer fruit that is loved by birds. But this year is unusual: the birds have not come to eat the fruit. Typically, I carefully […]
My neighbor, Donna, has a rainier cherry tree growing near our property and she generously shares its fruit with us. It always is a battle between the birds and us to see who gets the largest part of the harvest, but this year a large crow has taken up residence, protecting the berries from smaller […]
The purslane is emerging in the vegetable garden and I need to decide how much to keep. To some this is a weed but to me it is a delicious topping for a sandwich or salad. Its crunch and texture is unique and adds an extra element to a meal. Its slightly sour taste and […]
The sugar snap peas are in and they are delicious. We started eating them a week ago and now pull at least half a pint every day. I prefer them raw though Juana likes them to be lightly cooked. Regardless they are delicious. Just planted the second seasonal crop that should start producing by late […]
The strawberries are in and so is Olivia. After some initial hesitancy to sample a strawberry, she digs in with all of the gusto that her sister Charlotte exhibited at her age. She smiles as thin lines of strawberry juice rundown her chin, staining her shirt. We probably lose half the harvest to her but […]
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. The same can also be said for dandelions except you make muffins. The lawn is chock full of dandelion flowers and I have enlisted Juana and Olivia to be my helpers to harvest the makings of dandelion muffins. Olivia is more interested in dropping the spent blossoms […]
Our average daily harvest.
Spring salads from the garden are the tastiest as the long wait between fresh harvests is finally over. Though I have tons of claytonia, I can finally mix it up with other plants both cultivated and wild. From the garden, I harvest a few leaves of claytonia and butter crunch butterhead lettuce. For a bit […]