I've been enjoying the tasks of late-winter/early-spring. Our vegetable garden is filled with Kale, over-wintered spinach, with arugula, mache, and cilantro as the dominent "weeds", which we love. Nettles are always there at the edges for a good green in pesto, soup, or for tea. In March one group of 5th graders at IslandWood made me a beautiful … [Read more...]
Lady Fern and Trillium
Just about the time I'm feeling that winter will never end, the green tops of bundled trillium leaves start pushing their way through the flakes of moist earth, pronouncing in three part harmony from one leaf to the next: Spring is here, spring is here, spring is here! Days are getting longer! Warmth will come! … [Read more...]
Bear Grass is Blooming
In the Pacific Northwest, this perennial herb has been utilized by basket weavers for a long time. With great care and delicacy, individual leaves, and only a few from each plant, would be pulled from near each stem. It had, and still has, value to First Peoples cultures for decorative work on baskets and hats, and was and still is used as a … [Read more...]
Smells Like Spring!
Over a month ago, in the lush valley by our vegetable garden, skunk cabbage, or swamp lantern, (Lysichiton americanum) sprouts began pushing their way through the boggy, sandy, soils they so love. For me, this perennial plant is a harbinger of spring. As it's giant, sun-bright yellow hood opens, a large spike is revealed covered with small … [Read more...]
The Signs of Spring
Since the beginning of March, even under the darkness of storm clouds, with flooding rains, and fierce winds that have tested the tallest trees, purging them of their weakest branches, the signs of spring are all around us. Perhaps because of the darkness overhead, I've been noticing more of the subtle details than ever before. How the leaves of … [Read more...]
