Oh, the color and texture of the late spring garden. I find myself sitting outside in the evening as the kids wind down their day, pulling weeds and touching the surface of so many leaves. Rough. Smooth. Waxy. Fragrant. Sharp. Fuzzy. I get lost in the minutia of it and feel the day slip away and a centered calm come in.
sage
pea vines
green beans
beets, kale, and chard
brussle sprouts
zucchini
red and yellow onions
chamomile and lemon balm
kohlrabi and a chinese cabbage who's name I forgot
so many brassicas
The lessons of the garden are many. Among them are these:
1. For all the planning that goes into the garden, you never know what you'll get.
2. Inviting the kids to plant along side me is more important than straight rows.
3. No matter the season there will be successes and failures.
4. I'd rather eat a few bugs (or bug nibbled leaves) than pesticides.
lamb's quarters
This season we hauled composted manure from two local farms (when I say "we" I mean "Pete". Thanks, babe.) In the compost have been plenty of surprise weed seeds of various species.
One that is especially prolific is lamb's quarters. Do you recognize it? The leaves are covered in a soft bloom and are thick and moist a bit like spinach. This is one weed that I won't be pulling! Lamb's quarters are a nutritious wild edible. And since my lettuce is bitter already, why not eat my weeds? As summer begins most of the tender wild spring greens are becoming tough and unpalatable. But Lamb's quarters are just beginning their delectable season. Use like spinach, raw or cooked. So delicious, and effort-free.
Enjoy!
