Not exactly toasty yet, is it. From what I hear on the news, temperatures have been three degrees below what is considered “normal” for this time in the year. Just like last year, my little unheated greenhouse is filled with transplants badly needing to be released from the restrictions of their flats and settled into open garden spots.
Though it’s been far from cosy out there, the broad beans and corn salad I seeded in February are looking good, even though they are staying rather small yet, waiting like all of us for a little warmth.
While those three short rows or corn salad are in their infancy yet, I’ve been plucking and consuming corn salad that I seeded late last summer. They are covered now with bits of chicken wire arranged over the rows since I noticed that some of the little plants had been nibbled down, probably bunny-munched.
I’m very fond of corn salad, and I’m surprised at how few people grow it. I took great pleasure last autumn inviting visitors to the garden, and my son when he was here at Thanksgiving, to try a leaf or two. The texture of the spoon-shaped leaves is soft and slightly chewy, the taste mild and nutty.
The plants form small, tight rosettes of foliage which I pull up and then trim away the lower root, leaving the rosette intact for easy rinsing by simply dousing each one up and down in a basin of water.
A simple vinaigrette suits corn salad well. Making a cut at the base of each rosette releases the leaves into the dressing. I often add toasted walnuts to the salad, though the mild flavour of the greens makes them a suitable base for more elaborate toppings. I once arranged roasted vegetables, goat cheese and walnut halves over a bed of corn salad.
Spring bloom. In spite of the cold, gardens are awash in colourful sheets of primrose and heather bloom. The first rhododendrons are flowering, along with red flowering currant shrubs and fragrant hyacinths.
On the patio, violas and pansies, planted in early autumn in bowl-shaped containers set on stands beside glass doors, provide more spring cheer, both outdoors and from inside the house. I’ve been particularly taken with the highly fragrant Denim Jump-up in the “Penny” series of violas. The flowers are deep velvety blue with white and black markings.
In the “Sorbet” viola series, Orange Jump Up has put on a show of dramatic little blooms in dark maroon above bright orange. These tiny flowers have a mighty power to bloom and bring cheer through months of chilly weather.
GARDEN EVENTS
VHS meeting. The Victoria Horticultural Society will meet on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Garth Homer Centre, 813 Darwin Ave. Bernie Dinter, manager at Dinter Nursery in Duncan, will speak about dwarf conifers. He will review all the main types that are available for creating beautiful, small-scale gardens. Masks are required in the Garth Homer Centre. Drop-in fee for non-members $5. .
Gordon Head meeting. The Gordon Head Garden Club will meet on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Gordon Head Lawn Bowling Club, 4105 Lambrick Way. Solara Goldwyn from Hatchet & Seed will speak about Edible Landscapes for the Small Urban Garden. Visitors are welcome at no charge.
St. Michael plant sale. St. Michael and All Angels Women’s Guild is hosting its annual Plants, Pots and More sale on Saturday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 4733 West Saanich Rd. in Royal Oak. Outside, gardeners will find tomato plants, flowering pots and baskets, strawberry plants, vegetable and annual flower transplants and perennials. In the hall will be garden-themed jewellery, tools and more.
Cairnsmore plant sale. Volunteer Gardeners for Cairnsmore Place and Cowichan Hospice House, 250 Cairnsmore St. in Duncan, are hosting their annual plant sale on Saturday, May 6, starting at 10 a.m. There will be a large variety of plants for sale, Master Gardeners to answer questions, and tours of the gardens for those interested. For a list of plants to be sold, email [email protected].
Nanaimo plant sale. The Nanaimo Horticultural Society is holding a plant sale on Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Nanaimo North Town Centre on Rutherford Rd. Master Gardeners will be present to answer questions.
