Cattail shoots ready for prepping Spring bouquet of marsh marigolds
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Tis the Season
The foraging season begins in earnest....
I have always maintained that Spring in the Maritimes is not really a season but two weeks of frenzied growth. Living on Prince Edward Island has done nothing to change my mind on this contention.
The gardening season is in full force after a slow start due to lingering snow and cold temperatures. I have a growing band of gardening clients and will soon be at maximum for the season. Must be careful to retain a balance between the gardening and the foraging - both must be done during the growing season and there are only so many hours in the day and only one me. Plus there is always the weather to consider....
I get quite a number of queries from folks who want to come foraging with me. An interesting development I had'nt really considered as foraging has always been a largely solitary occupation of mine and not something I thought of others as being interested in. Frankly, I always thought I was considered odd but mostly harmless in my foraging ways. I don't mind sharing knowledge at all, in fact I enjoy it, so this may be a business development down the road.
In the meantime, I am taking a local chef on a fiddlehead hunting expedition tomorrow. She would like to learn how to identify the right type of fiddlehead. While I can't show her extensive beds of ostrich ferns at present because I hav'nt found them myself - yet - I am happy to show her a couple of small patches and talk about habitat and such.
Marsh marigolds - or as some Islanders call them "cowslips" - are in full bloom. This is a new plant for me discovered last Spring and while considered edible I have yet to do more than nibble a leaf. Any plant that has instructions to boil before eating due to toxicity of uncook greens is something I approach with caution. In fact, do I really need to eat it at all? Think I'll wait for local guide knowledge before attempting anything drastic. Seems to me there is a tradition in the Acadian community of a special soup associated with a Saint's feast day...?? For now I'll content myself with a bouquet on the windowsill.
While sinking in the marsh picking flowers I remembered bullrush or cattail shoots and harvested some of those growing nearby for supper. A bit messy to pick and clean but worth the eating. Steamed they are similar to a very mild asparagus in flavour and have a nice texture. Need to be sure its a clean bog they are harvested from with serious washing and cooking on the preparation end of things.
An interesting wild food cookbook given me by a friend last year is "A Taste of the Wild" by Blanche Pownall Garrett. It is Canadian and was published in 1975. Some very interesting recipes and ideas included though I think further reading for sure identification of plants would be helpful.
I have always maintained that Spring in the Maritimes is not really a season but two weeks of frenzied growth. Living on Prince Edward Island has done nothing to change my mind on this contention.
The gardening season is in full force after a slow start due to lingering snow and cold temperatures. I have a growing band of gardening clients and will soon be at maximum for the season. Must be careful to retain a balance between the gardening and the foraging - both must be done during the growing season and there are only so many hours in the day and only one me. Plus there is always the weather to consider....
I get quite a number of queries from folks who want to come foraging with me. An interesting development I had'nt really considered as foraging has always been a largely solitary occupation of mine and not something I thought of others as being interested in. Frankly, I always thought I was considered odd but mostly harmless in my foraging ways. I don't mind sharing knowledge at all, in fact I enjoy it, so this may be a business development down the road.
In the meantime, I am taking a local chef on a fiddlehead hunting expedition tomorrow. She would like to learn how to identify the right type of fiddlehead. While I can't show her extensive beds of ostrich ferns at present because I hav'nt found them myself - yet - I am happy to show her a couple of small patches and talk about habitat and such.
Marsh marigolds - or as some Islanders call them "cowslips" - are in full bloom. This is a new plant for me discovered last Spring and while considered edible I have yet to do more than nibble a leaf. Any plant that has instructions to boil before eating due to toxicity of uncook greens is something I approach with caution. In fact, do I really need to eat it at all? Think I'll wait for local guide knowledge before attempting anything drastic. Seems to me there is a tradition in the Acadian community of a special soup associated with a Saint's feast day...?? For now I'll content myself with a bouquet on the windowsill.
While sinking in the marsh picking flowers I remembered bullrush or cattail shoots and harvested some of those growing nearby for supper. A bit messy to pick and clean but worth the eating. Steamed they are similar to a very mild asparagus in flavour and have a nice texture. Need to be sure its a clean bog they are harvested from with serious washing and cooking on the preparation end of things.
An interesting wild food cookbook given me by a friend last year is "A Taste of the Wild" by Blanche Pownall Garrett. It is Canadian and was published in 1975. Some very interesting recipes and ideas included though I think further reading for sure identification of plants would be helpful.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
May Days
First a report on experiments
Forcing branches - the hawthorn started off really well with the leaves opening with their lovely lacey edges. The blossoms failed to mature and withered. Not sure if they were picked just to soon to succesfully force, or could be bacteria in the water or some thing attacked from the air. Worth trying again I think. The bay branches are slow to bud but now seem to be coming along nicely. Finally happening a month after cutting - very long time to be forcing something but not surprising as bay leaves are some of the last to emerge in the spring.
The branch glycerine experiment seems to be working out ok. Time will tell on this but I am encouraged and will follow through on making the door wreath. Must remember to take photos...
Been off in the ditches harvesting willow and red osier for various projects. Its the best time of year to be doing this as the sap is flowing and no leaves to contend with, also the red osier is at its brightest. Time to some sorting and bunching for storage as at present they are all lying outside in strategic clumps.
A local craft store has agreed to take my potpourri blends on consignment. This is a good start and will continue to develop this end of things. Also means must get more blending underway. It takes 6 weeks to mature a potpourri blend and they can only be done in small batches and need to be turned daily. Labour intensive work to be sure.
Nature Side Note: Stinky the Fox has been seen by a visiting friend who was most impressed with his size. He is a fine specimen of fox indeed - too bad he stinks.
Yesterday evening there was a strange metallic rat a tat tat outside. I roamed about to find the source and eventually saw a Hairy Woodpecker standing squarely on the top of the metal mail box. He'd pause for an even space of time and then repeat his tapping sequence - a bird in the groove.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Important Nothings
One of my favourite Jane Austin quotes "Which of my important nothings shall I tell you first?"
Thats pretty much where I am today - a mixed bag of this and that.
Getting the house back together after the wild garden show weekend. This begs the question - how can one woman spread that much plant stuff about one house? It all seemed very strategic at the time but now just looks like a vegetation bomb went off....
Getting plant materials organised for the next great experiments...
Getting in touch with retailers to check interest in carrying the Forage potpourri range.
Marketing with a capitol "M" - its a whole new world.
Also taken to reading a shrub a day from Glen Blouin's "Weeds of the Woods" book. Its a great little book I picked up last year . Provides good descriptions and photos of the various small shrubs growing in the Maritme region as well as their various names - Mi'kmaq, French English, Latin...and uses both folk and practical. Not that folk uses can't be practical they just need to be approached with extreme caution - like using toxic red elder bark as an emetic. Yeweee
Nature Side Note:
Stinky the Fox has not been seen recently though his own particular raunchy funk continues as a reminder of his close proximity.
The raccoon is now becoming more familiar. He was swinging off the bird feeding platform outside the living room window the other evening. I tapped on the window, but he ignored me and carried on with his project of hoovering up bird seed. I went out with my digital camera and got very close to him. His response was to flatten himself on the platform and put a paw over his eyes - I guess like small children his theory was if he could'nt see me I could'nt see him either. The click of the camera sent him rocketing off the platform and in the delay between click and flash all I got was an empty platform. Next time....
Thats pretty much where I am today - a mixed bag of this and that.
Getting the house back together after the wild garden show weekend. This begs the question - how can one woman spread that much plant stuff about one house? It all seemed very strategic at the time but now just looks like a vegetation bomb went off....
Getting plant materials organised for the next great experiments...
Getting in touch with retailers to check interest in carrying the Forage potpourri range.
Marketing with a capitol "M" - its a whole new world.
Also taken to reading a shrub a day from Glen Blouin's "Weeds of the Woods" book. Its a great little book I picked up last year . Provides good descriptions and photos of the various small shrubs growing in the Maritme region as well as their various names - Mi'kmaq, French English, Latin...and uses both folk and practical. Not that folk uses can't be practical they just need to be approached with extreme caution - like using toxic red elder bark as an emetic. Yeweee
Nature Side Note:
Stinky the Fox has not been seen recently though his own particular raunchy funk continues as a reminder of his close proximity.
The raccoon is now becoming more familiar. He was swinging off the bird feeding platform outside the living room window the other evening. I tapped on the window, but he ignored me and carried on with his project of hoovering up bird seed. I went out with my digital camera and got very close to him. His response was to flatten himself on the platform and put a paw over his eyes - I guess like small children his theory was if he could'nt see me I could'nt see him either. The click of the camera sent him rocketing off the platform and in the delay between click and flash all I got was an empty platform. Next time....
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Garden Show
Been super busy the past while getting myself organised for the PEI Garden Show. Lots to do to be ready for my very first trade show. The sewing machine has been whirring away and the laptop churning out labels, signs and tags. Made a banner and bunting from recycled sheets.
I was quite pleased with the end result and the effort paid off for sure - I won an Award!
Best Use of Space - got a plaque and had my photo taken with the judges and everything. An added and practical bonus to the award is it comes with a $100 fee reduction for next year's show. All good grist for the mill.
Spoke with very many people. Lots took garden maintenance service postcards and hopefully there will be some follow through. Also lots of interest in workshops from various groups so I'll be teaching foraging ways down the road.
People seemed to like the new Island potpourri blends - so I'll do some test marketing with craft shops both on and off the Island and see how the response goes with them.
Spring Branch bouquets were slow to move the first day but pretty steady sales the second day - after I dropped the price.
I was one of the guest speakers for the show aswell - all about foraging naturally. Initially, I was seriously thrown by wearing head gear microphone set-up but got over that after a few minutes and settled into the foraging gospel. People seemed interested and the demographic for the audience was interesting - at least half were under 25 - unusual for an event like the garden show.
Start gardening for clients tomorrow - good to get that underway. I have been chomping at the bit for some weeks now.
Nature Side Note: Eagles are back at the impressive nest just down the road from me. Interesting dynamic in play as there seem to be three eagles at the nest. I'm not sure how that works really. Things could get messy......
Monday, April 13, 2009
Snowy Easter
Well, the snow continues to fall.....Pretty demoralizing really.
Hopefully "this too will pass" because it really is time to get out there.
I have consoled myself with plotting the Potager plants for the season including a comprehensive review of my current seed collection. Chucked lots of old/unidentified seeds I have been carrying around for years. A seed purge.
Have been advised by many gardening gurus over the years to make your decisions and list of plants for the season before going to the seed catalogues or garden market. Sage advice indeed.
I have ended up with all sorts of improbable seeds for my corner of the world through being dazzled by descriptions and pictures when launching myself randomly at purchasing.
Seems there is not a lot I need to buy this year and what I do need I can get from either Vesey's Seeds (PEI seed producers) or Seeds of Diversity growers. I joined Seeds of Diversity just this spring. Its a national non-profit seed saving organisation dedicated to keeping strong heritage varieties of plants growing across Canada. Interesting stuff. Check out www.seeds.ca
I have plans to make teepee plant supports for tomatos and such from willow/red osier and went cruising a willow products website from UK for inspiration. In their workshop photo gallery were images of folks making just the sor of plant supports I was thinking of using a wooden box with holes as a sturdy base. A friend recently gave me a wooden drawer she had no use for but could'nt bare to see wasted and now it has a new purpose - plant support weaving base. I'll post photos of it when it is in action.
Wildlife Note
No sign of Stinky the Fox today . Usually when I go out in the morning the air is redolent of his particular musky funk. Not so today, I figure he must be bummed out by the weather aswell and lying low somewhere in a state of depression.
Hopefully "this too will pass" because it really is time to get out there.
I have consoled myself with plotting the Potager plants for the season including a comprehensive review of my current seed collection. Chucked lots of old/unidentified seeds I have been carrying around for years. A seed purge.
Have been advised by many gardening gurus over the years to make your decisions and list of plants for the season before going to the seed catalogues or garden market. Sage advice indeed.
I have ended up with all sorts of improbable seeds for my corner of the world through being dazzled by descriptions and pictures when launching myself randomly at purchasing.
Seems there is not a lot I need to buy this year and what I do need I can get from either Vesey's Seeds (PEI seed producers) or Seeds of Diversity growers. I joined Seeds of Diversity just this spring. Its a national non-profit seed saving organisation dedicated to keeping strong heritage varieties of plants growing across Canada. Interesting stuff. Check out www.seeds.ca
I have plans to make teepee plant supports for tomatos and such from willow/red osier and went cruising a willow products website from UK for inspiration. In their workshop photo gallery were images of folks making just the sor of plant supports I was thinking of using a wooden box with holes as a sturdy base. A friend recently gave me a wooden drawer she had no use for but could'nt bare to see wasted and now it has a new purpose - plant support weaving base. I'll post photos of it when it is in action.
Wildlife Note
No sign of Stinky the Fox today . Usually when I go out in the morning the air is redolent of his particular musky funk. Not so today, I figure he must be bummed out by the weather aswell and lying low somewhere in a state of depression.
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