Daily Botanical

April 28, 2009

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Early Spring Asparagus!

I took this photo last week at Dufferin Grove Park where little spears of asparagus were starting to pop up in one of the garden beds. A day later I was treated to an AMAZING microgreens salad that included asparagus, prepared by the chef at Terrain and left for me at my hotel. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated such a delicious and nourishing meal after a day spent in airports. And to top it off, it was my first taste of fresh asparagus stalks of the season!

I look forward to lots more as it becomes available here in Toronto.

Sundew (Drosera)

A tangle of sundew tentacles (Drosera) in the warm house at Terrain.

Sundews are my favorite carnivorous plant so it was kind of heartbreaking that I couldn’t bring one home. Oh, and the store had mixed pots of my favorite succulents, lithops, too. Torment!

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April 24, 2009

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Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla)

I went out for a walk yesterday and while we have had some warm and sunny days already, it was the first one that really felt like spring. One of my favorite spring blooms, the pasque flower was out. I’m so glad I caught them because they’ll be gone before I get a chance to go out walking again.

‘Mascara’ Lettuce Seedling

I often allow some of my lettuce plants on the roof to bolt and go to seed in the late summer heat. They look beautiful and eventually produce seeds that can be collected for next year.

‘Mascara’ is a vivid, red oakleaf variety that comes back up on its own in the spring. I do collect the seeds, but since it sows itself I tend to just give them all away. I find the tiny seedlings popping up in pots scattered around the roof and carefully transplant each one where I want them. Free food! And all from one plant that I let go a few years back.

This is the first seedling that popped up this year. I thought the nasty snowstorm a while back would kill it, but its still kicking. Tough little thing.

More about ‘Mascara’ lettuce here