Almost every email coming in these days from readers and garden club contacts includes some expression of听elation at spring鈥檚 sprightly entrance upon the听seasonal stage.
I can鈥檛 pinpoint what exactly there is about this year that is eliciting such joyous outbursts, but my thoughts and feelings echoed their flavour one day last month as I ambled up the gentle slope of the driveway toward the house. Suddenly, I became magically enveloped in the light, sweet scent of English violets that have established in a few small patches in the front garden. It was surprising, because they are much earlier than usual in reaching full bloom this year.
Early also has been flowering in a winter daphne (Daphne odora), whose waxy little bloom clusters have perfumed the kitchen from early February onward. Small bouquets of violets at听my office window now scent the air and add to the pleasures of work.
The hub of the back garden is the garden shed and a听nearby plum tree growing in front of a small gazebo-like structure. Against its south-facing lattice wall is听a听large pot holding a star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) vine. Chairs in front of the vine encourage full enjoyment of the plant鈥檚 fragrant summer flowers.
At the base of the large pot, and along nearby pathways, large Dutch crocus blooms open and sparkle on bright days. Such simple but exquisite sights in the early spring garden elicit the sort of delight I see so often expressed in reader mail these days.
March is a busy gardening month. Amidst all its earthy demands, don鈥檛 forget to stop and admire the intricate loveliness of flowers and inhale their spirit-lifting aromas.
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In with the new. At the end of February, I finished digging the remaining carrots and beets and dug out the past year鈥檚 fine feeder roots that had found their way into the plot from a neighbour鈥檚 cedar forest. Then I readied the soil for planting two four-metre double rows of peas by mixing lime, compost, and a slow-release, natural-source fertilizer blend into the soil. I鈥檓 hoping that the early March seeding will bring a harvest before the likely arrival of July鈥檚 searing, shriveling heat.
The hot, dry summer of 2015 did not affect the carrots. The roots came through the winter in a juicy, sweet and crisp condition that is almost impossible to find in purchased carrots at any time.
In an odd alliterative note, the names of my three best carrots in recent years are Nelson, Napoli, and Navarino. Nelson and Napoli seeds are available from West Coast Seeds and William Dam Seeds. Navarino is listed in the catalogue from W.H. Perron (formerly Dominion Seed House).
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Cheesecake Pie
In my ongoing search for new ways of using the garden鈥檚 produce, I鈥檓 been tinkering with a recipe that is a combination cheesecake and fruit pie. It鈥檚 easily made once the crust is done.
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Raspberry jam (or any other berry jam)
1 apple, thinly sliced
8 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar, plus some for sprinkling
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup blueberries
鈥� Sliced almonds
鈥� Cinnamon
鈥� Sugar
Spread a thin layer of jam over the crust bottom. So far, my home-made raspberry jam has given the tastiest result.
Over the jam place thin slices of one apple.
Beat smooth the cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, one egg, and 1 tsp vanilla. Spread over apple slices.
Place 1 cup (or a bit more) blueberries over top. I use the garden鈥檚 frozen berries. Arrange a fringe of sliced almonds around the edge. Sprinkle with cinnamon, and then a little sugar.
Bake at 400 F for 15 minutes, then at 375 F for 30 to 40 minutes.
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GARDEN EVENTS
Lily meeting. The Victoria Lily Society meets tonight at 7:30 in听the Salvation Army Citadel, 4030 Douglas St. at McKenzie. Gordon Murray will talk about trilliums. Everyone is welcome.
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Floral art. The Mid Island Floral Art Club meets Thursday, 1:45 p.m. in St. Stephens United Church Hall, 150 Village Way in Qualicum Beach. The meeting鈥檚 presentation is on contemporary landscape.
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Seedy in Cobble Hill. Cobble Hill听Hall on Watson Avenue is the location for a Seedy Saturday this weekend. Bring your own garden鈥檚 saved seeds to exchange. View displays, gain information, and find seeds and locally grown plants for sale. Admission is free.
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Pond information. Dinter鈥檚 Nursery, 2205 Phipps Rd. in Duncan, is offering a free, drop-in seminar on pond installation and care with Scott Stevenson of Van Isle Water Services on Saturday at听10 a.m.
