April Gardens...

April started out warm, and now we have some lower temperatures, but not too bad for planting! I have been very busy, at the new GROW Farm, working with local school gardens and, most definitely, in my own garden!

All kinds of things are coming back, some from years of being planted in those spots, some new from last fall, and some that decided to jump out of their beds and take root in new spots - like my horseradish!

Fresh fig leaves for tea!

One of my favorites in spring is fig leaves! While the tiny figs are forming on the trees, the leaves are growing quickly! And I start picking them and drying them for a wonderful tea that smells and tastes like almonds and vanilla.

Scapes on onions. These soon open to...

flowers on the onions!

As the weather is warming you may find these bulbs on your onions, scallions, chives and leeks. These are scapes. If you leave them on they will soon open to the most beautiful flowers and then those flowers turn to onion seeds. While beautiful, if you leave them on, the energy that should be devoted to growing your onion bulb or scallions and such gets diverted to making the flower. But if you but off the scapes your onions go back to growing the onion. The scapes, meanwhile, are delicious to eat. Try sautéing them in a stir fry or adding them fresh to salads!

Lemon Balm

Many of my herbs are growing fuller each day. Lemon balm and other mints, oregano, mullein, parsley, cilantro and more love this weather. Harvest frequently if you grow them, but never harvest more than 1/3 of your plant at a time to keep it producing and growing.

Mullein spreads each year! Great for coughs and chest congestion!

Snap Peas

Peas of all kinds produce a beautiful flower for pollinators, and, of course, there is nothing better tasting than fresh peas! I eat them straight off the vine. They taste nothing like canned peas! This is a plant that loves to trellis!

Lettuce Options

I try to grow different types of lettuce as much as I can during the year. Of course, when it gets to hot they bolt (go to flower then seed) and then get bitter. But as long as I can I grow them. They provide water to your system and add a nice crunch to salads. These are in a small container that I can move to a cooler, shadier location as the temperatures increase.

Potatoes

And this year, while planting potatoes themselves, I also started potatoes from seed to compare their growth and production capacity. I'll let you know how they do!

So much is still growing, and so much is just starting! I won't plant my peppers, most of my tomatoes, eggplant, and my okra for another week or so, but herbs are planted, some larger, hardier tomatoes and berries are planted.

What's going on in your gardens? Share your pictures!!