Our pollinator meadow is teeming with life. Gaillardia, native to much of North America and commonly known as blanket flower, attracts bees for the nectar. The blue flowers, bachelor’s buttons, are known by another common name, cornflowers. These are also very popular with bumble bees, honey bees, and myriads of tiny native bees. These naturalized flowers are frequently seen along unmowed roadsides. Speaking of flowers, we are beginning to harvest a few gem marigolds to include in our edible flower options. As the plants mature, we will have more marigolds on hand.
Shelling Peas
We have been harvesting snap peas, but this photo is of the shelling peas. The weather forecast is favorable for pea-growing weather. In other words, no heat wave was detected in the next ten days. Let’s hope that remains true so we can have a bountiful pea harvest. There is nothing like a few 100-degree days to put an end to the peas for the year!
Sprouting Broccoli
This year, we are experimenting with a spring planting of sprouting broccoli. We had a small harvest available on Friday and expect more in the coming week. We will keep the plants around until we see flea beetles, then remove them, as we had our fill of flea beetles last August.
Strawberries
The amount of strawberries harvested each week is increasing. They respond eagerly to sunshine and warm temperatures with lots of ripe berries. It’s time to break out the strawberry shortcake!
Herbs
Parsely
Parsley is looking good and has settled down to the serious business of growing. We will harvest it as needed.
Thyme
Thyme has quit sulking about the cold winter. We are harvesting it regularly.
Basil
We hope to have basil available in the next couple of weeks.
Come on out to the garden to see what else we have growing.
-Anna
