Eat the Invaders!

I've been pulling invasive garlic mustard out of my woods and fields the last few weeks. While yanking out the fast-growing, prolifically seeding invaders, the garlicky aroma of the leaves got me thinking that I should be eating it. Usually I throw the pulled up plants in the garbage so they don't spread through my compost pile.

Garlic mustard in flower

You can imagine how excited I was to come across a website called Eat the Invaders! which promotes eating invasive plant and animal species as a way to control them. The website has recipes and cooking tips for invasive thugs like japanese knotweed, curly dock, garlic mustard, and even for invasive animals like nutria (looks similar to a guinea pig) and carp. 

Here's a recipe from the website for

Garlic Mustard Pesto

Wildman Steve Brill has served this pesto on his tours of Central Park in New York. He told us we could post it, with a link to his website.

4 cloves of garlic
3 tablespoons garlic mustard taproots
3/4 cups parsley
1 cup garlic mustard leaves
1 cup basil
2 cups walnuts or pine nuts
1/2 cup mellow miso
1 1/4 cup olive oil or as needed

Chop the garlic and garlic mustard roots in a food processor.

Add the parsley, garlic, garlic mustard and basil and chop.

Add the nuts and chop coarsely.

Add the olive oil and miso and process until you’ve created a coarse paste.

Makes 4 cups

Weed 'em and reap!

Growing Fava Beans in Upstate NY, Part 2

When I last blogged about my fava bean experiment at the end of March, the plants in the greenhouse looked happy and healthy, like this:

My dilemma was that the greenhouse was starting to hit pretty high temps on sunny days, and fava flowers won't make bean pods if they are exposed to warm temperatures (above 80 F). I had to get the plants out of the warm greenhouse and take a chance on planting them outside.  Palm Sunday (March 24) was sunny and in the 50's. I planted some of each variety in the garden and put the rest outside on an open porch to harden off. 

The following week the temperature plummeted, and on Good Friday (March 29) it went down to 20 F, even though it was only predicted to go to 25 F. The next day the plants that were in pots on the porch looked like this:

The were severely  wilted but not completely turned to mush, so it seemed that there was hope for them. The plants outside had some protection from the earth's warmth and looked only slightly better. 

I brought the potted plants inside and watered them well,and covered the outside plants with a sheet to protect them from more cold damage.

 By two days later, on Easter Sunday (March 31) the plants were resurrected! This is how they looked - still lax but definitely not frozen. Even the flower buds survived the extreme cold!

 I trimmed off any parts that didn't come back to life, planted the potted plants and staked them all to help them stand up.

 For the next few weeks after being frozen, the plants continued to flower but no pods were forming. I started to worry that either the heat in the greenhouse, or the extreme cold, had rendered the flowers sterile. Then this week, finally the sight I have been waiting for:

 Baby fava beans forming on the plants!

Notice how the pods form upward on the plant instead of down like other species of beans. These pods will get very large, 8 to 12 inches long, and when the beans inside are ready the pods turn in a downward direction and they are twisted off. 

So why am I going to all this trouble? Fava beans have an indescribable flavor that is unlike bush beans or runner beans. It's as distinctive as asparagus......I'm not saying they taste like asparagus but that they have a unique flavor that somehow captures the essence of spring and are a quintessential spring treat.

I learned two important things from this experiment: 

1. Wait until February to sow the beans in a greenhouse so that the flowering is delayed until April when it's safer to plant them outside. I sowed these beans in November and then they started flowering in the greenhouse in March, just when the greenhouse was really heating up during the day. The flowers abort if they are exposed to prolonged heat (over 80F). 

2. The plants can be exposed to very cold temperatures and still survive. I knew that 'Banner' was rated to be hardy to 15F, but all four varieties (+ Dreadnought, Aqua Dulce and Crimson Flowered) survived several nights in the low 20's. This means they would be fine planted outside in April even though there can be many nights below freezing then. Of course, covering them with row cover or sheets would also be a good idea, but for this experiment I was curious to see how they would do with no protection whatsoever.

Now it remains to be seen how many pods we will actually harvest after all this! The plants are only 18" or so tall - quite puny compared to the big healthy plants (3-4') we could grow in the mild winter climate of County Clare, Ireland. Maybe next year with later sowing and transplanting dates..............

What to do in the Garden this Month

Traditionally, the last frost hits at the end of this month.  Woo Hoo!!  Although we don't know what Mother Nature has in store, it's time to gather our seedlings and start hardening them off.

What to do in the garden this month:

• Mow your lawn at least 3 inches high to promote deeper, healthier root growth.
• If you fertilize your lawn, the first application can put down the last week of this month.
• Plant your brassicas now, including: broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and summer cabbage.
• Leeks can be moved to their final growing place in your garden.
• Begin harvesting your salad greens.
• Leave bulb foliage intact until it yellows and wilts.  The foliage is required for strong bulb growth.
• Keep an eye out for white trails on columbine leaves.  This is caused by a leaf miner.  Remove and destroy infested leaves as you see them.
• Plant annuals in bare spots in your garden.
• If you have deer, don't forget to use your deer repellent!
• Turn  your compost pile.
• Weed, weed, weed. 

As the weather warms and the itch to work outside intensifies, remember to take a few minutes each day to smell the new flowers and enjoy each new sprout and shoot.

Spring Gardening Classes at CCE

If you are looking to hone your gardening skills or dive into a gardening project this year, check out the informative and low-cost gardening classes offered at Cornell Cooperative Extension this May!

All classes will take place at CCE-Tompkins, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca. Call 272-2292 for more information or to register.

Planning and Planting a Seed-Saving Garden - Thursday, May 2, 6:30 -8:30 pm

Learn how easy it is to incorporate seed saving in your garden by growing vegetables that you can eat and still harvest seed from. You will learn the basics of getting started with seed saving, then we will do some hands-on planting in the seed saving demonstration garden at CCE.  Cost: $5-$10 (self-determined sliding scale). 

Planning a Rock Garden?  Ideas and Tips - Tues. May 7, 6-8 pm 

Are you ready for a new garden challenge?  Why not try rock gardening!  In this class you will learn the basics to get you started.  After a rain-or-shine tour of the Al Wurster Demonstration Rock Garden, come indoors to learn about its construction, easy plants to grow, and options such as troughs.  A slide show will include photos of the 100-year-old Frederick Heutte Rock Garden at White Pine Camp in the Adirondacks.  

Meet at the Cooperative Extension building parking lot before the tour.  Rain or shine!  Pre-registration recommended; limited to 20 attendees.  Cost: $5-$10 (self-determined sliding scale fee).

Dividing Daylilies and Other Perennials - Thursday May 9, 6-8 pm

 Spring is the best time to divide many perennials, and an OK time for many more.  In this hands-on workshop, we will demonstrate how to divide perennials such as daylilies, Siberian iris, Hosta, bearded iris, or phlox.  Come prepared to work!  We will tackle plants from the Teaching & Demonstration Gardens at Extension and Master Gardener private gardens.  Participants will be able to take some divided plants home. The class takes place rain or shine (indoors if wet). 

Cost: $12.  Limited to 10 participants; prepayment required to hold your place.  Please call 272-2292 for more information or registration.

 

High Tunnel Hurrah!!

On March 24th, I took a tour of a working high tunnel greenhouse and edible yard.  The tour was organized through Cooperative Extension.  What a wonderful way to spend an early spring afternoon!

We visited Margo Hittleman and Richard Lansdowne's property out in Groton.  Margo has a blog chronicling their gardening life called Everyday Eden - Adventures in Edible Landscaping .  Over several years, the couple has converted their property from a standard house and yard to a wonderful house and a landscape which provides the majority of their food needs.  How inspiring!

Here are a few images from the visit:

View into the high tunnel.  Built on their old driveway, it's 10 x 24 feet.  Margo recommends a 12 x 24 foot version so you can have 3 rows instead of 2.  Note the inexpensive but perfectly sized cinder blocks used for the raised beds. 

A variety of greens growing happily under cover.   This was the second crop of the winter season.

Outside, Margo and Richard use a series of low tunnels to grow kale, turnips, carrots and scallions.  Leeks were covered with a thick layer of straw verses plastic.  Rebar is driven into the ground with the PVC pipe bent over it to create the "low tunnel".  Pretty easy - very flexible!!  They watch the weather closely in order to know when to pull back the plastic and when not to.

Margo was very generous with her knowledge.  She stressed the need to understand that the plants are day length sensitive verses hot / cold.  This means they will grow as long as there are X number of hours of sunlight each day.  Margo stated it is critical to plant your crops based on the calendar verses how warm / cold it is outside.  We are used to waiting for the last frost or testing soil temperature: this is different.  The sun is pretty set in it's rotation around the earth, giving us variable day lengths.  To successfully garden in a high tunnel, you have to be attuned to this.  Another interesting tidbit was their use of the high tunnel as a hot house for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants ~ garden veggies who like it warm ~ during the growing season.  They literally roll the greenhouse over another set of raised beds containing those plants in early summer to give them a boost throughout the (short) growing season.  Gotta love year round use of gardening equipment!

In a nutshell, if you are a greens lover, high and low tunnels are for you!  Favorites include a variety of salad greens (Mache, mustards, arugula, spinach and cold tolerate lettuce) and cooking greens like Tatsoi, Pac Choi, kale and chard. Margo and Richard shared a listing of varieties they have had success with over the years and this may be available if you contact Cooperative Extension and ask for a copy.

Alias, like the Bush family and broccoli, my family is not big on greens.  My next post will be about how to sneak greens into a family's diet.  As a gardener, it's my duty to force my family to eat greens ~ especially if I purchase that high tunnel I have my eye on.....
:)

Esculent Inflorescence

Esculent (edible) Inflorescence (flowers) 

 There are many ways to enjoy a flower.

We can gaze at the bloom, taking in the color, contrast and shape of the petals as they create a lovely composition.  Holding one up to our noses for a quick sniff is a fabulous way to trigger the release of pleasurable endorphins in our brain.  Rubbing soft petals between our fingers or up against a cheek is sure to bring smiles and calming thoughts.

Probably the most intimate approach is to pop a flower directly into our mouth and savor the flavor of the bloom.

|Date=2006 |Author=Mag. Dr. Markus

As long as Barbara Bush has been serving broccoli, people have been eating flowers.   Hops have flavored beer and dandelions have been used to make wine for ages.  Unfortunately, people also have been poisoning themselves eating flowers as well!!  Before going out to collect flowers to add to your dinner salad or refreshing drink, read on for a few pointers about edible flowers.

When gathering edible flowers, beware of pesticides and poison flowers and plants.  If you are unsure if a flower has been sprayed: don't eat it!  If you are not 100% sure of the plant identification: don't eat it!  Failure to know what you are eating and if it has been sprayed can cause sickness and death.

Edible flowers behave like produce: there is a premium time to harvest for maximum flavor.  Taste a few blooms before harvesting to test for good taste.  By all means, if it doesn't take good, leave it for looking, smelling or touching instead of eating!!

 Here is a diagram of a flower with the various parts labeled.

 As a general rule, when you harvest flowers for eating, keep the flowers cool.  If the flower has a long stem, place the flower stem immediately in water after cutting.  This will help keep the bloom longer and the flower tastier.  Prior to eating, remove the pollen by removing the pistils and stamens of the flowers.  People are allergic to pollen so it makes sense to remove it from your prepared meal!  Remove the sepals of all flowers except Johnny Jump Ups and Pansies.  Only eat the petals of calendula, chrysanthemum, lavender and rose. 

Image: Daniel J. Layton

  In our area, gardens frequently contain plants with edible flowers.  Here's a partial list of annual and perennial flowers (versus herbs and shrubs) that made me smile.  You see, I have many of these in my garden and now can look forward to adding another avenue of bloom enjoyment!!

Bachelor's Button (Centaurea cyanus)
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Chives (Allium schoeonoprasum)
Dianthus (Dianthus spp. - sweet williams, pinks, carnations)

Density, 2004 Wikipedia

Hollyhock (Althea rosea)
Lavender (Lavendula spp.)
Marigold (Tagetes patula)
Mint (Mentha spp)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)
Scented Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.)
Violet (Viola odorata)

Note this is a partial list: I can find these in my garden so I listed them.  :)  There are many more including herbs and some trees and shrubs!

 A comprehensive source for learning about edible flowers, complete with listings can be found at North Carolina State University's website. 

I encourage you to click on the North Carolina State link above and explore.  We have five senses  ~ why not use all of them in the garden!!!

What to do in the Garden this Month

April showers bring..... wet, muddy soil!! 

What to do in the garden this month:

• Stroll through your yard, noting any insect damage, egg masses, broken or damaged branches on your plants.

• Shear back ornamental grasses and clear your gardens of any debris.  

• Turn your compost pile.

• Clean and oil your garden tools.  Use a wire brush to clean off any loose soil and use a metal file to sharpen your shovels, hoes and trowels.  If you have been trained, use a stone to sharpen your pruners.  If not, contact Agway and schedule a sharpening.  Don't forget to oil your wooden handles to avoid splinters later in the season.
• Mid April generally is time to direct sow cool season plants such as beets, arugula, carrots, spinach and lettuce. Record your planting date(s) in your garden journal.
• Early April is not too late to start your warm weather veggies indoors. There are approximately 8 weeks until our traditional first frost date. Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, parsley - start them now if you already have not.
• Check your deer fences and critter barriers. Make any necessary repairs or fortifications.  If you have tulips poking up, have your deer repellent ready: the battle against the hoofed rats has begun! 
• Contact your gardening friends to see who is planting what.  Exchange extra seeds.  If you planted extra flats of seeds and know you will have more than you can use, find good homes for them.  Feel the excitement of a new gardening season beginning!