Remember that Garlic Mustard Cookbook? (From Pest to Pesto- a Culinary Guide- see the post in August 2006, Summer Travels ) Tis the season! I hired myself out to do some much needed weeding for an acquaintance of mine and found some garlic mustard in the woods along the creek behind her home. I didn’t have any of the ingredients for any of the recipe’s in the book, but had harvested enough to saute it up in a little olive oil, just to see what it was like. Pretty tasty! If you like greens like kale, spinach and swiss chard, you will also like Garlic Mustard, I’d have to say. I used the tender tips including the flowers, and stripped the leaves off the bottoms of the plants, washed them a bit, and drained them before tossing them in the pan for a quick stir to wilt them well. Olive oil, salt and pepper were the only seasonings I used. Now I need to select one of the recipe’s to try out, since I really liked the flavor. The cook book is only $5.00 and is available through the MGAWC, I recommend picking up a copy and heading out to the woods to do double duty- getting this pesky weed out of where it doesn’t belong, and adding a tasty new vegetable packed with just harvested vitamins to your dinner table.

Tough Spring! Unfortunately, my Apricot tree had just started to bloom when the temps turned deep cold again, and the poor flowers just never recovered from it. Those that made it through, didn’t get pollinated, so it looks like no Apricots this year. The flowers were damaged on my sweet cherry too, so no fruit there either- still waiting right now in early May to see how the peach tree and sour cherry did with the cold snap and quite possibly a lack of bees.

Garden Art and Plant Sale! (Blatant self promotion) I’ve been really busy out in the garden the last few weeks- things have started to get a little bit over grown, and in need of renovating, so I’ve been dividing and potting. I’ve just about run out of room in my small garden for the extra plants. I have also acquired an assortment of odd chairs in need of a garden quote and some decorative painting, some are minus their seats, some not- but all are looking for a new home on someone’s porch or out in the garden to make a lovely accent or place for a combination planter as soon as am done making them pretty. There are a few other things I’ve made too and those will be available too as unique accents for your garden and home. Some of the items will be available through my blog Creativity .
I’ll have several different varieties of hosta, from very tiny to big and blue, woodland wildflowers, some of my unique annuals, daylilies, herbs, and whatever else I find that someone might want. They will be priced to move, so this is your opportunity to get some great deals on plants and art. The garden will be open for strolling, of course, so even if you don’t find something you want, it’s worth the trip.
Sale dates are June 9 and 10, and June 16 (Please note the change of sale dates- June 17 is Father’s Day, so I made other plans and can’t continue the sale on that day, besides, all the good stuff will be gone by then I’m sure!) from noon until 4 at my home by invitation (let me know if you’d like to come by, and I’ll send you directions).