Seeds

I have an inexplicable fondness for seeds. The down side of this is that I have a few more weeds than I really want. Their seeds were just so fascinating. I want to catch them just before they let go of their parent plant. I am usually unsuccessful.



These seeds are new to me. David is already asking me where I will put the plants that will result from my wanting to see what they do as they mature. Some seeds fluff up and blow in the wind, some spring away from the plant as if the parent plant is eager to send progeny into the world. Some drop their seeds so gracefully keeping their babies sheltered and close to home. Some stick to the gardeners clothing and piggyback to a new home. Some are beloved by ants and are carried to new locations in the garden far from their origin. What kind of seeds will these veratrum plants be?

This is the fourth year in the garden for this plant. We fell for this plant at our one and only trip to the Heronswood garden before it closed. Since then we have seen this plant in damp soil up in the mountains but have never seen it in bloom until this year in our home garden. I had assumed it propagated by roots spreading, but apparently my assumption was wrong. Will these seed pods be as interesting after the seeds have escaped as nigella or primrose seed pods? Will they fling or drop their offspring? How long will it take for the seeds to sprout? Will I recognize them in the garden or just think they are among the myriad weeds that I pull out every year?

Oh, I love the unknown potential, the small moments of discovery and the generosity of seeds.

Blueberry Stars

Some blueberries have five pointed stars in the blossom end.







We came home from our trip to a heavily loaded crop of blueberries.
Kerplink, Kerplank, Kerplunk.

We also came home to some rather muscular zuchinni and some ripe tomatoes. The big guys found their way to the compost pile and the tomatoes found their way immediately to our mouths.

Ruby Jelly

I've always wanted to try those recipes that call for liquifying currant jelly - now I can. My beautiful currant bush produced about 2 gallons of fruit. That fruit made about four batches of jelly. Help me remember to bring some when I come to visit.

Yes, I know I could have tried those lovely tart recipes long ago with store bought jelly. I just don't buy store bought jelly. David makes fabulous marmalade and our raspberries are productive enough for jelly during the first week of July when they bear their heaviest. And blackberries grow wild on the ditch bank and this town used to be known for it's strawberry farms (all houses now) and there are still some great locally grown berries. (If all you've been eating is supermarket berries from California, Mexico, etc.... I am truely sorry) Living in "berry land" makes buying jams and jellies very unnecessary.

I have also learned to layer plants to start new ones. My currant bush has been the parent plant for several clones. I have given most away, but have kept one that just began to bear this year. In a couple of years it too should be mature enough to be loaded with fruit.

I love summer

Reasons to love Summer

1. Eating from the garden. Starting with the Aspargus which doesn't need anything on it if you eat it right after you pick it. It's season is almost over. It is time to let the stalks grow to nuture next years wonderfulness. Please note my well composted bed. Also note that the fennell seeds that sprouted from the compost have been removed. There were probably a couple thousand fennell seedlings. Sigh.... compost just doesn't get hot enough around here to decompose those tough little seeds.


2. Eating from the garden deserves more than one spot. The Rhubarb season starts with DER's birthday pie near the end of April. The Rhubarb is wonderful and doesn't need as much sugar as some varieities. This variety, whose name is long forgotten, gives so generously and is lacking that "green rhubarb" flavor that so many people dislike. We've had a couple of pies and a cobbler and given some away to rhubarb fans in our acquaintance. The plant is still vigourous and does well in this cool summer climate in the Northwest. We'll be eating rhubarb goodies most of the summer and have some put away in the freezer for rhubarb cake through the winter months. Yummmmmy.

3. The bees are energetically buzzing the raspberry and blue berry plants - more wonderfulness to look forward too.

4. Sleeping with the windows open and hearing bird song when I wake up.

5. Western Tanagers have been flitting in the alder tree with their bright orange heads, which are amazingly well camouflaged for orange.

6. The "fluff" of the cottonwood trees drifting down like a warm snow and gathering along the edges of our world.

7. The need to weed seems to slow down.

8. Eating outside

9. and .... best for almost last....Long daylight hours, especially in the morning - and most especially when I am teaching seminary and it is day light instead of dark night.

10. and .... "bestest for lastest"..... Those long road trips to see various family members that this year, for the first time, will include a grand child. Yipppeee!