I’ve mentioned that you can cook with weeds before, and many are familiar with including young dandelion greens in salads and braises. Since it’s dandelion (and violet) season here in the Ether Garden, I figured I’d share my favorite ways to enjoy the flavors of spring using these lovely spring blossoms and herbs.

Floral preserves and syrups were quite popular in days of yore, and are a wonderfully delicious way to enjoy a number of blooms. Violet syrup is a lovely treat drizzled over lemon infused waffles or mixed into your iced tea. The syrup (or jelly, if you prefer) is easily prepared by filling a quart jar with lightly packed violet blossoms. When picking make sure you are choosing violets which have not been sprayed with anything, and remove the stems before use (while the stems are edible, they can give the end product a bitter taste). I like to rinse my violets in a sieve under the sprinkler attachment of my sink before continuing. Fill the jar with boiling water, cover and allow to steep overnight. When finished steeping, line a sieve with cheesecloth and strain out the blossoms, reserving the liquid. At this point you will want to prepare* your canning jars, lids, and rings before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.

Measure your violet infusion, and add water enough to make two cups of liquid. Up to now your violet infusion is most likely a lovely shade of royal blue. Add two tablespoons fresh lemon juice and the liquid will turn a brilliant magenta color. In a large non-reactive pot combine the liquid and 3 ½ sugar and add ½ teaspoon butter or margarine to reduce foaming if you like. Bring to a full rolling boil on high heat. Now if you want syrup continue boiling for ten minutes. If you’re making jelly you’ll want to stir in one packet of liquid pectin (I tend to use Certo, but Ball makes some as well), return to a full rolling boil and continue boiling for exactly one minute, stirring all the while. For both syrup and jelly you will want to remove your pot from the heat, ladle your hot liquid into your prepared jars leaving ⅛ headspace. Seal your jars and process* in a boiling-water bath for five minutes, then remove and allow to cool upright and naturally.

This same recipe can be used to make herb jellies and syrups. You might try it with peppermint, lavender, or lemon verbena. Homemade treats like these are easy ways to enjoy the flavors of the seasons year-round, and make lovely gifts. I like to make the jewel toned violet jelly and can it up in little 4oz ‘quilted’ pattern jars to give as gifts throughout the year. Next up in this series will be baking with dandelion blossoms!

*For those of you new to or not familiar with home-canning, I recommend referencing a canning guide such as the Ball Blue Book or the USDA Principles of Home Canning Guide, which is conveniently available as a PDF.

We’ve had a dry time of it lately, much to the dismay of the Ether Garden and its stewards. Fast is approaching the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club’s annual Morel foray, and I’m beginning to fear there won’t be many Morels (or much else) to be found. Such is life when you’re at the whim of nature though I suppose.

April is a weird time here at the Ether Garden. Not quite growing temperatures sometimes, and other times it feels like summer! Confuses garden and gardener alike. Nonetheless there are definite signs of life about. The Lillies are pushing up their bizarre looking red spikes, Daffodils are starting to open, and the occasional albeit confused wild violet is popping up. Chives are starting to bud, and the Columbine which we thought had been lost to cutworms is pressing on with increasing vigor. Hooray for natives, no?

The cherry blossoms are fading, and the leaves are starting to come in. It’s interesting to watch the colors change from white to light pink to dark pink and then to green. Sometimes plants fascinate me. This weekend is the Blossom Tour in Lower Lawrenceville, and I’ll be there! I’m going to have a few examples of things you probably already have in your home which can be recycled into handy gardening tools, how nifty is that? Hopefully the weather will be nice for it!

Anyone who has ever tried to travel to Washington D.C. to see the cherry blossoms is well aware that they are fickle creatures, if you can call a flower a creature that is. Despite the amazing beauty of a cherry in full bloom, it is a brief moment indeed. Last year we had a full 5 days of blossoms before the branches were bare and the ground was strewn with petals. So far we’re on day three of this years bloom. I will miss the delicate perfume on the air, but it certainly gives something to look forward to every year. This is our second spring here with the Ether Garden and I have an awe and appreciation for this tree which I can’t quite express. There are ornamental weeping cherry trees all around town, but I have yet to see another of the same size and sheer blossom load that ours has.

Today the tree was a-buzz with honey bees, which made us smile. The whole tree was just covered in them busily flying from flower to flower, there was a decent hive’s worth of bees there today. Such a lovely thing to see, especially with everything going on these days with hive collapse.

I did notice, while going through photos, that either the tree is early this year, or the flowers are late, or something. I also noticed how very quickly this tree grows! This photo is from last year, taken on April 17th. There is definitely not nearly that much going in the garden around the tree right now! Then again- it’s only the first week of April right now, so maybe the tree is early? I’ll try to grab a good photo of the tree tomorrow which really shows how much this tree has grown. The longest branches are touching the ground, and even the short ones are a mere foot shy. Who knew they were such vigorous growers? I’ve started reading up on how to properly prune the tree, to keep it as healthy and pretty as I can.

Bloom Day is here, and just on time! We had our first blossoms here in the Ether Garden about two days ago, in the form of our dwarf irises. They even beat out the crocus blossoms this year, which have yet to be seen even in bud! Of course, we’ve known spring was on it’s way for a while what with the temps popping up into the 70’s for a few days there and the robins being back in town.

The pussywillow is also in bud, which is always a treat. We actually have two in the Ether Garden, one standard and one of the weeping variety. I’ve always loved their little grey furry buds. All the trees seem to be in bud in fact- the weeping ornamental cherry and the maple are both brightly colored with scads of buds waiting for just the right moment. The cherry blossoms make such a brief appearance, but oh what a show!

This week also marked a good bit of garden clean up, namely pulling off the hay mulch wet with rain and melted snow and replacing it (where needed still) with some of the loftier bunches from on top. Trimming back the last of the dead tops from long since spent blossoms, and raking up of errant mulch and leaves is on the agenda for the next couple days. Soon- we plant peas!

This years varieties, at least as planned, include a vast array of heirloom veggies as usual, some are stand-by old friends, and some are new and exciting. The list so far includes (most seed is heirloom, all seed is organic):

• Bean, bush: Bountiful (1897) [47-50 days]
• Bean, bush: Empress (re-named 1979) [55 days]
• Bean, bush: Pencil Pod Golden Wax (1900) [50-65 days]
• Beet: Carillion [58 days]
• Beet: Chioggia aka Candy Stripe (1840) [50 days]
• Beet: Detroit Dark Red (1892) [60-65 days]
• Broccoli: Romanesco [75-100 days from transplant]
• Broccoli: De Cicco (1890) [48-85 days from transplant]
• Cabbage, red: Mammoth Red Rock (1889) [98 days from transplant]
• Carrot: Danvers Half-Long (1871) [65-87 days]
• Carrot: Minicor
• Cucumber, pickling: Double Yield (1924) [50-60 days]
• Endive: Galia
• Fennel: Florence
• Leek: Blue Solaize [100-120 days]
• Lettuce, romaine: Forellenschuss [55 days]
• Lettuce, looseleaf: Lollo Rossa [55 days]
• Lettuce, butterhead: Tennis Ball (1850) [50 days]
• Melon: Sakata’s Sweet [85-95 days]
• Onion, sweet-storing: Walla Walla (day neutral)
• Onion, scallion: Summer Bunching
• Pea, snap: Amish Snap [60 days]
• Pea, shelling: Sutton’s Harbinger (1898) [52-60 days]
• Potato, yellow storing: Yukon Gold [100-120 days]
• Pepper, sweet bell: Orange Bell (1989) [90 days from transplant]
• Pepper, sweet bell: Sweet Chocolate (1965) [58-86 days from transplant]
• Raddicio: Indigo
• Rhubarb: MacDonald
• Shallot: French Demi-Long
• Spinach: Monnopa [45-60 days]
• Squash, winter: Waltham Butternut Cucurbita moschata [83-100 days]
• Tomato, paste: Amish Paste [85 days from transplant] indeterminate
• Tomato, slicing: Cherokee Purple [80 days from transplant] indeterminate
• Tomato, beefsteak: German Pink [85 days from transplant] indeterminate
• Tomato, paste: Opalka (1900) [85 days from transplant] indeterminate
• Flower, Sweet Pea: Cupanis
• Flower, Nasturtim: Black Velvet
• Flower, Hollyhock: Nigra
• Herb: Provincal Lavender
• Herb: Dill
• Herb: Winter Savory
• Herb: Rosemary
• Herb: Marjoram
• Herb: Thyme
• Herb: Oregano
• Herb: Hot and Spicy Oregano
• Herb: Peppermint
• Herb: Lemon Balm
• Herb: Basil
• Fruit, Fig: Hardy Chicago
• Fruit, Strawberry: unknown variety

Remember how we mentioned that those local to the Ether Garden can benefit? Your first opportunity is right now! If any of the veggies or flowers above interest you, drop us a line! The Ether Garden is offering packets of seed in small numbers to local reader-gardeners. We will also be offering seedlings in May, and you can place dibs on seedlings at this time as well! Unfortunately we cannot offer herbs or fruit seed/starts at this time, but this may change later in the season. This is a great opportunity for those of you who simply don’t need a full packet of seed, but want to start your own. This is also a great way to get heirloom seedlings raised organically and locally.

More than just flowers are bloomin’ here in the ether-garden this Bloom Day. While checking on the garden and replacing a few of the milk-jug cloches which got blown around during one of our recent storms, I happened across this sweet little one and his (her?) brothers and sisters. They were hiding awfully well, I nearly trampled the lot of them! I was surprised how calm this little guy was, and simply couldn’t resist a brief snorgle of his little white-spotted head. I made sure to explain the ground rules of living in the ether-garden before sending the little one along home.

Of course, there are plenty of flowers blooming too. The ornamental alliums have presented themselves in all their pom-pom glory, and the chives are following suit. The wild violets are out, along with a sneaky little variegated vinca growing up along the side walk. The yellow irises are in bud, as is my sage. I’ve never seen sage blossoms before, so I’m quite anxious for them to open. They’ve been in bud for some time now…

Sweet Vitriol has also bloomed a bit, you may have noticed a new author recently. Luminiferous joins in the fun to share his thoughts and ideas, and to keep the show running when I’m out of town. I see wonderful things in the future from this. A new page will be popping up soon as well, with brief bios and such on both Lumin and myself.

Not only is today bloom day, but for those in the Pittsburgh area and Allegheny County, we are now considered to be safely past the threat of frost. Now, if it goes and frosts again don’t blame me as this isn’t an exact science. I just know that today is the best birthday present I can ever ask for- the day I can safely plant the rest of my garden. Most of it’s in already, but what few seedlings were still waiting for that magic time can finally go outside and stretch out their roots and greet the world. Happy Bloom Day!

First, on Friday we’ve got the Great Plant Auction at the Phipps Garden Center (remember, the Garden Center is located at 1059 Shady Ave, near the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts). Doors for the Great Plant Auction open at 6 p.m. Admission includes wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres: $20 members; $25 non-members.

Saturday brings the Phipps Conservatory used bulb sale, at the Conservatory from 9am to 6pm. Also on Saturday is the Audubon Society’s local plant sale at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, from 9am to 2pm.

I’ve been thinking about turning a section of the ether-garden into a native plants plot, and this is just the kick in the pants I needed. I’m definitely quite excited!

This weekend was the Western PA Mushroom Club’s annual Morel Madness Weekend. The weekend consists of two days of forays, slide-shows, and camping. Morels can be quite expensive at the market, largely due to the fact that they do not cultivate well. They have a unique texture, much more al-dente than most mushrooms, and have a very distinct flavor. Many who do not like most fleshy-capped mushrooms such as portabello or traditional button mushrooms enjoy morels, so give ‘em a try.

This year we might have been a bit early for the morels, it was hard to say. Most of us didn’t find a whole lot, and though one guy seemed to know the secret spot in the park where the morels were flourishing he wasn’t sharing his secret with anyone. Oh well. We might go back in a week and see what we can find.The outing wasn’t a complete bust though as we did find some rather tasty Dryad’s Saddle mushrooms, and were privy to the glories of spring in South-Western PA.

Throughout the wood were signs of spring oft missed by us city dwellers. Lovely white and red Trilliums made carpets through the forest, accented by the occasional patch of Jack-in-the-Pulpits. A few of our varieties of Trillium, including most of the reds, are classified as either at-risk or endangered, so it was quite a treat to get to see those. I was glad to see the deer hadn’t eaten them all up yet, as they are prone to doing. We also saw all manner of Violets ranging from white to yellow to purple, wild onions, garlic-mustard, and a few ramps.

Urban gardeners often think of the signs of spring as the crocuses, tulips, and daffodils we have planted into our yards. While I didn’t come home with even a single morel this time around, I did come home with a reminder of what spring looks like in our native forests. Maybe we can put in some trilliums for next year, to bring this reminder a bit closer to home.

A nice drizzle of rain left some lovely jewel-like drops on my crocuses, it was just so lovely I had to share. I’m so excited by this garden, it’s full of surprises. Since we moved into the house in August we have no idea what is in the garden for spring. We’re enjoying each day and the new joys that come up every day. First to come up were actually the dwarf irises, with the crocuses only coming up about a week later.

Today brought the first tulip of the season, and a trek into the backyard introduced me to the blooms on the weeping pussy willow. I never knew that pussy willows smelled so sweet when they blooming, now I do. The hydrangeas are making new leaves and leaf-buds, alas some were accidentally cut back this winter and probably won’t bloom since the blooming wood has been removed- oops! Oh well, life continues…

The next big surprise will be finding out what this mystery plant is. While clearing up some of the leaf mulch and cutting out a few bold weeds, I discovered a number of these bright red plant spikes coming up. Anyone know what these might be? To see a larger version of the photo for better analysis, it’s available on flickr.