I wasn't sure where I what I would lead with in my new blog but I've decided to begin in my potager (kitchen) garden where most of my cooking starts. The beautiful fruits and vegetables have always inspired me; as I watch them grow my mind turns to the kitchen and how will I use these gems. Shall I toss them in a simple salad or side dish or along side of a roast, chicken or rabbit? I don't believe that one can work in a garden and not think of cooking. Sometimes they don't even make it home, I eat them as I pick (and wash) them. I suppose that I should explain. I have a community garden that is about 5 minutes from my home so it's not quite as convenient as a true potager garden but provides the same results.
My garden is near a river channel in California and it is a fly way for migrating birds. In winter we have Canadian geese who frequently honk at me as they fly overhead. They are quite loud and will bring you out from the house to see what all the noise is. As I sit in the garden and write, the old fashioned way-with a pencil, something keeps chirping or beeping rather from the trees that line the garden. I can't see what kind of bird it is but it doesn't really matter, it's a nice respite from the sounds of traffic.
We've had rain on and off for the last couple of weeks making it difficult to accomplish most tasks, pull a weed here or sow some seeds there. I have problems with grasshoppers, can't seem to get rid of them even though I bait them each year (The bait is safe for the environment, other animals and birds). They seem to love the pea (legumes) family and chew up my snow peas, sweet peas and any other tasty little sprouts that may come up.
Today as I watered some newly planted seeds I noticed that my fall arugula plants (not actually mine as in planted purposely, but as volunteers) have all gone to flower. The plants are buzzing with bees that are out collecting pollen that they will carry back to their hives. I don't know much about beekeeping but I don't think they travel far from their hives. I've never been stung even when collecting berries in June. The shrubs continue to blossom through their harvest and I have learned to share with the bees. They love the warmth of the sun so I pick berries before the bees come out. Last year I had a golden bumble bee that buzzed me quite a lot, he actually chased me away a few times. I did some research and found out that it was more likely a male carpenter bee, they are caramel golden in color with large green eyes but I didn't get that close, I just picked my berries later.
I've over-wintered some of my beds with a legume cover crop to protect and nurture the soil for the planting of spring and summer vegetables. It took some time for the seed to germinate but is growing at a quicker rate now that it has warmed up some. My peach and plum tree have finally dropped all of their leaves and wait patiently for their winter haircuts. Here in Southern California winter turns to spring overnight and I should be used to that as I've lived here all my life. February is almost always a nice warm month in which to plant many seeds and seedlings and I'll be working on those this month. After the hectic holidays, February always sneaks up before I know it so I'd better get busy. I still have a few months before the garden beckons me to be more attentive.
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