Spring Garden Tour & Tips

I decided to tour my garden last weekend to get an idea of what which plants survived the winter and which areas need a bit of sprucing up.  Surprising to find that though we haven’t had too many warm days, the spring rain and mild temperatures have created a beautiful start.

We have these little violets all over our yard as a ground cover:

Our Wisteria tree is very old and every year we wonder if it will come back:

I was pleased to find signs of life–looks like we’ll get at least one more year:

Forsythia

Bleeding Heart

Close up of Our Dappled Willow

Buds on our Plum Tree

Dried Russian Sage

Beginnings of a Red Rose

My chives came back with the first whisper of warmth.  We’re picking some tonight to go on our soft tacos.  And speaking of tacos, check out this ingredient combo in the recent issue of Cooking Light:  chopped mango, red onion, grilled mahi-mahi and avocado.  I’ll be on the lookout for some nice, ripe mangoes.

Chives

Perennial Strawberries

Wild Flower Seeds Starting to Sprout (and a bit of grass)

Wisteria

Lily of the Valley

Peony

Japanese Maple Bud

I’ve come across some helpful tools that I’ll be using to plan/arrange/enjoy my new plants this year:

*Better Homes and Gardens has a Plan a Garden tool:

*Culinary Herb Guide Website:

Love their chart for how to grow a variety of herbs, the info on putting together an herb garden and their recipes using fresh herbs, like this one for Cilantro Aioli.

1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 lime, juice and zest of
1 -3 drop hot pepper sauce, depending on preference
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 cup mayonnaise

Combine all ingredients in a small food processor (or favorite blender) and mix until blended.  Makes one cup.

This year I’d like to add a few herbs to the usual suspects (basil, thyme, sage, mint, lemon verbena, lavender, rosemary).  I’m planning on dill, fennel, chervil and nasturtiums (beautiful in salads).

Nasturtiums--photo from goorganicgardening.com

*Predictably, Martha also has some great tips:

• How to dry your own herbs
• How to make herb-infused sodas
• Great tips on planning your vegetable garden (like considering the size of the MATURE plant–such a good reminder!)

*Pinterest–my favorite place to keep track of inspiring garden ideas!

If you have a great gardening tip, comment below or on the Hometown Perch facebook page!