CROCUS | There’s nothing like a few sunny afternoons to kick early flowers into gear. This is the first crocus seen in the Garden this year. Unlike the saffron crocus, which blooms in October, this one does not have edible filaments; it’s simply the first welcoming harbinger of spring.
PURPLE SPROUTING BROCCOLI | The Allison gardeners have started harvesting purple sprouting broccoli, and there will be more to harvest this coming week. They’ve spent time clearing out freeze-damaged leaves and plants, making the broccoli sprouts easier to see.
RHUBARB | Another sign of more sunlight is the rhubarb. Rhubarb is a herbaceous perennial, which means it dies each fall and is dormant until late winter, when it regrows. Anna, our master gardener, expects it will be six to eight weeks before there will be enough stalk length for harvesting.
RADICCHIO & LETTUCE | The gardeners will harvest small radicchio heads to add to the lettuce which they are regularly harvesting.
PLANTING PEAS | Last February/March was so cold and wet that, for the first time, the gardeners covered the bed where they intended to plant peas before planting them. This warmed and dried the soil. They removed the plastic to plant seeds and immediately re-covered the bed for another two weeks. The gardeners had the best germination they’ve ever had, so they’re using this technique again this year. They will plant at the end of February to have snap peas in May. Of course, how quickly they grow is dependent on the weather.
HONEY BEES | All the honey bee colonies are alive and flying on sunny afternoons. Yesterday, they were bringing in loads of yellow pollen.
Ask for a tour of the garden to see what else is growing – The Allison
