Spring is sprung

After a brief return to winter, the buds are finally opening on the poplars. The bees are flying, collecting that fresh pollen as an important first meal after a long winter. Shoots of green grass are already starting to show and the leftover weeds that overwintered in the garden are greening up also! It is all good to see.

There is some ancient lore about poplar buds and garden timing.

Homesteaders survived the winter on stores of root vegetables, cured meats, fresh baking and milk as most had a dairy cow to milk in the winter. When spring came they were hungry for the first shoots of spring and dandelion was one they sought. Fresh leaves were harvested sometimes off plants that were deprived of sunlight so they were more yellow than green and less bitter. But bitter is great for our digestive system and gall bladder. I would say in our modern world I don’t see many people adding butter in to their diets. Except maybe Eastern European descent folks. Did you know that dandelion roots are one of the best things to stop cancer? They are best harvested spring and late fall when all the nutrients are store in the roots. Dig, wash, cut in slivered rounds and dry or consume roasted. The dried and roasted roots have been used as a coffee substitute for many cultures. I put about 10 slivers of dried roots in with any tea I am making and steep.

The leftover weeds in the garden will provide good green manure for the upcoming plant starts. Turning the soil once with a shovel will help with that. Don’t work clay soil when wet as it creates a monster of compacted clumps that you will curse later plus creates that hardpan layer that eventually will stop water flow. If you want to plant early in the spring and the dirt is still wet, lay a board down beside the row and walk along that and lightly sow the seeds either on top and top dress with compost or if dry enough, lightly cover the seeds. Things that can be early planted this way are beets, carrots, radishes, onions, celery, parsley, cilantro, dill, parsnip, lettuces, spinach, Swiss chard, turnips and rutabagas. You can plants any of the greens also for early eating. When a little warmer you can even do peas. The seeds will come when conditions are right and sooner than you would think. The seeds that do sprout will be able to withstand a few cold nights when temperatures dip without harm. You may also do any of the cole crops or brassicas.

It is April 12, and I have finished planting all these early crops. Let’s see what happens. Pics to follow