Yummy Flowers? Yes Please!

If you're like me, you get easily bored with the normal, everyday "salad"

Some nuts here, some crasins there, some ranch tucked everywhere...

So why not dress up tea time and do it like the Brits!?

Put some edible flower's on your salad!!

Here I have some beautifully colorful pansies on top of spinach for springtime. They have a mildly tart taste and go great with almonds, your favorite springtime veggies, and some raspberry vinagrette. They also work great on arugula and romaine - really any springtime lettuce. Isn't this way more inspiring than hum-drum parsley?

Well believe it or not, Pansies are not the only edible flowers in your garden. I love putting flowers on my salad throughout the season and it's a great way to wow your guests! 

Here are some more edible flowers. Check out some of the cool directions. Who knew bringing our garden into the kitchen could be this fun?

• Angelica (Angelica archangelica) - May be skin allergen to some individuals. Good with fish and the stems are especially popular candied. Tastes like: celery-flavored. 
• Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) - Tastes like: sweet, anise-like, licorice
• Bee Balm (Monarda species) - Used in place of bergamot to make a tea with a flavor similar to Earl Grey Tea. 
• Calendula* (Calendula officinalis) - Tastes like: poor man's saffron, spicy, tangy, peppery, adds a golden hue to foods
• Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) - Tastes like: spicy, peppery, clove-like
• Chrysanthemum: Garland*(Chrysanthemum coronarium) - Tastes like: slight to bitter flavor, pungent
• Dandelion* (Taraxacum officinalis)Tastes like: very young buds fried in butter taste similar to mushrooms. Makes a potent wine.
• English Daisy* (Bellis perennis) - Tastes like: tangy, leafy
• Fuchsia (Fuchsia X hybrida) - Tastes like: slightly acidic
• Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) - Tastes like: light, sweet flavor
• Gladiolus* (Gladiolus spp) - Tastes like: similar to lettuce
• Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) - Tastes like: slightly acidic, boiled makes a nice beverage
• Hollyhock  (Alcea rosea) - Tastes like: very bland, nondescript flavor
• Honeysuckle: Japanese (Lonicera japonica) - Berries are highly poisonous. Do not eat them!
• Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana) - Tastes like: very bland, nondescript flavor
• Lavender (Lavendula species) - Lavender oil may be poisenous. Tastes like: floral, slightly perfumey flavor
• Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) - Tastes like: lemony, floral, pungent
• Mallow: Common (Malva sylrestris) - Tastes like: sweet, delicate flavor
• Marigold: Signet (Tagetes tenuifolia) - Tastes like: spicy to bitter
• Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) - Buds are often pickled and used like capers. Tastes like: sweet, mildly pungent, peppery flavor
• Redbud  (Cercis canadensis) - Tastes like: mildly sweet
• Rose (Rosa rugosa  or R. gallica officinalis) - Tastes like: sweet, aromatic flavor, stronger fragrance produces a stronger flavor. Be sure to remove the bitter white portion of the petals. Rose hips  are also edible 
• Squash Blossom (Cucurbita pepo species (aka Zucchini Blossom)) - Tastes like: sweet, nectar flavor.
• Sunflower* (Helianthus annus) - Tastes like: leafy, slightly bitter. Lightly steam petals to lessen bitterness. Unopened flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.
• Tuberous Begonia (Begonia X tuberosa) - ONLY HYBRIDs are edible. The flowers and stems contain oxalic acid and should not be consumed by individuals suffering from gout, kidneystones, or rheumatism. Further, the flower should be eaten in strick moderation. Tastes like: crisp, sour, lemony
• Violet (Viola species) - Tastes like: sweet, nectar

*Only the petals of these composite flowers are edible

Flowers to Avoid - Some flowers in particular to be avoided (but not a complete list) are: azalea, crocus, daffodil, foxglove, oleander, rhododendron, jack-in-the-pulpit, lily of the valley, and wisteria. See a more complete list.

I have only put my favorites here. Click for a more complete list.

May your seasons salading be FLOWERY and BRIGHT!

Spring's-A-Comin'

image: Denver Botanic Gardens

The time has come for the sun to shine brighter and wee little plants to start poking their heads from their wintery graves. Which also means it's time to get DIRTY! 

As I left my driveway this morning I saw the sweet little starts of daffodils and thought to myself, "it's finally here." I love the start of a new season. This year is particularly great because 'ol Jack Frost decided not to visit New England with any snowstorms. I can't say I'm exceptionally sad about it. But we were left with quite a bleak view for all winter. Needless to say I am ready for the world to give me some GREEN!

I thought about all of the wonderful things I could post about to get you ready for spring. And then I got dizzy because I didn't know where to start. SO I decided to write up my personal plan of action AND let you in on some of my favorite websites. These sites are tried and true - whether you're gearing up to plant your own veggie mart or splash your house with some color. 

Let's get started! 

Step 1: TEST YOUR SOIL

You have no idea how much this simple little task can make or break your garden. Plants are just as complicated as humans. We require more than to eat, poop, and sleep, right? So plants need more than soil, water, and sun. The soil pH and nutrient balance is an important part of your garden. Every state should have a university agricultural extension and can typically analyze your soil for a small fee. Just type in "[your state] agricultural extension" into Google and BAM. You're on your way

Step 2: PREP THE SOIL

Now that you know what your soil is lacking (or has too much off), take some time to amend the soil. This is especially important for long term plants (perennials, shrubs, trees) and veggie gardens. Do you expect to get nutrients from your veggies? Well they have to get it from the ground first. So don't skip this step! Areas with annuals don't need as much prep because you will be pulling them out after the season is over. If you don't have enough in the budget to amend all your soil (which I don't recommend anyway), then do small spaces at a time. That takes me to my next point

Step 3: DO SOME RESEARCH

Get inspired. Take your ideas from pinterest to reality! Look at websites, check out books, find your favorite color schemes, and have fun with it. Then, check your plant hardiness ZONE. An important point to note is that most plants do NOT grow the way they say they grow on those 'lil tags that accompany them. Remember, these plants are grown in California so they probably aren't going to grow the same way in your state. See what grows well in your soil type, in the shade, in the sun, with lots of water, without any water. Then do the research around your house. Where is there a lot of sun? Where is there a lot of shade? Where does the water pile up? Where is there a lot of wind? These will all help shape where and what you plant.

Step 4: MAKE A PLAN

Now let me make myself clear: Don't get ahead of yourself! It's easy to do when we feeble ones gain ambition. But if we take on too much, we will soon be swimming in a sea of un-cared for planties. If this is your first year, do a small area of annuals and see what works for you. If your whole house needs to be landscaped, I recommend hiring a landscape designer or architect to help. That way you can have an entire plan and attack small chunks as your budget permits. Also remember that the more you put in, the more maintenance will be required. Later I will do a post on maintenance, but for now just remember that there is no such thing as a "no-maintenance" landscape. For those of you making your own plan, plan what colors and what plant will go where. Take some time to write it or draw it out. Make sure to take full grown sizes into account. This will be very helpful so you don't buy too many plants.

For vegetable gardens: I just found this lovely site that will make a plan for you. It takes into account where you live, what and when you should plant, and then sends you lovely reminders. Check it out here!

Step 5: GO TO YOUR LOCAL NURSERY

You don't have to buy from the most expensive nursery, but that might be a good place to start your looking. They often have the most unique plants available. Home Depot and Lowes will have mass annuals for a waaay better price, so save the petunias for a later trip. Use this time to pick the sales associates' brain and see what you like best. If you are doing a small garden, gather inspiration from the pre-planted pots. If you are doing veggies, the nursery will give you all of the information you need of varieties and fertilizer. And remember, when you buy plants you pay for what you get. Quality is pretty much stated on the price tag. If you want to save money, buy a smaller version of the plant. It will be stronger in the long run because it has grown up in your landscape, not a foreign one. 

Step 6: GET THE RIGHT TOOLS

The right tools need not be the most expensive ones, but make sure you have what you need. Gardening gloves, a great looking hat, and a hand trowel will be a great start! But eventually you will find that additional tools will help you be more efficient. I guarantee that you will have more satisfaction if you find the tools that make it easier on you. Heck, I need one of those little padded knee things to lean on. Haters can hate! I'm lovin' me my gard'nin time!

Step 7: WEED BARRIER

If you don't want to spend your whole life outside in the weeds, make sure to put down two things. 1 - a pre emergent herbicides and 2 - a weed barrier. I personally HATE that black junk they sell in the nurseries, so I always recommend that you put down old newspaper. This is great for two reasons: 1 - You can dig into it easily if you need to do additional planting or re-planting and 2 - you don't have to dig it up at the end of the year. It is completely organic and will decompose into the soil. 

Step 8: START PLANTING

Now that you have made a plan, start planting! Have fun! Invite your friends to plant with you! I have found gardening is a great way to dig deep into someone's soul. Pun definitely intended. Also, make sure you plant correctly. Especially with your more expensive plants. Check the tag and follow the guidelines. Do not suffocate your plants!! Most of us bury our shrubs and trees too deep. They don't get oxygen this way. Check the tag to be sure of depth AND width.

Step 9: WATER WITH CARE

There are two types of water people. Those who neglect and those who kill with love. Don't be either of these.  Make sure you know the water requirements for your plants and FOLLOW IT. Believe it or not, killing with love is more common - ESPECIALLY FOR YOUR LAWN. A general rule of (green) thumb (tee hee) is that your plants need more in the beginning, and less as time goes on. Later in life let them get a little thirsty (only a little). This will help their roots grow deep and strong. Except for annuals. Water the heck out of 'em.

Step 10: KEEP A JOURNAL

As the years go on you will learn more and more about your garden... You will also forget more and more about your garden. I'm not kidding people! Keep a journal, you will be glad you did. Write down what you planted and where. Talk about how many veggies you got from one plant. What you did one year to the next. And when you find the plant of your dreams, you will be soooo glad that you wrote down the botanical and common and variety names so you could order ten thousand more 5 years later. Plus, it's a great way to see your growth as a gardener.

Well not that I've talked your ear off, here are some more great resources and websites.

National Garden Association - lots of how-to videos

Better Homes and Garden - need I say more? 

A great article on when to plant veggies

Monrovia plant catalog

By far my FAVORITE company for gloves and hats

My favorite nursery in all of Utah - great fruit tree how-to videos

 Connecticut Agricultural Extension
Smart Gardener - Makes a plan and sends reminders for veggies!

Not having a green thumb is a myth. The only trick is knowing the tricks. So get out there, get some sun, and have some fun!

In later posts I will talk about some of my favorite design techniques and how to get the most "bang outta your buck." I look forward to sharing more with you!

Costa Rica 6: Zip Line

Today I'm going to let the pictures do the talking. Here's what you need to know. Rachel and I carried pin-wheels all the way from America for this one activity. We guarded them with our lives. They came on every bus ride, and survived every childs grappy grasp, only to die an unfulfilled pin-wheel life. Why did we bring them, you ask? Because we were inspired by this little piggy.  

Alas, our pin-wheels could not make it, but that didn't stop our fun, or our inspiration. Zip-lining was a pretty darn fun way to see the country-side of Costa Rica. We only got a few pictures, but we got some videos to make up for it. I did my best to live up to my inner piggy. 15 zip lines later, all I can say is, "pure. adrenaline."

Enjoy!

And then there were pretty flowers.

See what I mean? Beautiful flowers livin' up to our inner piggies. Doesn't get better than that. It was our last night in La Fortuna so we splurged on Batas and Tres Leches. Yu-uuuum. Rachel's drink kind of looks like Nickelodeon slime. Am I right? 

Tomorrow is my final post for Costa Rica. But I have to say it was by far my favorite part of the trip. Tamarindo, here we come!

Costa Rica 4: La Fortuna

Welcome to La Fortuna, a beautiful little town at the bottom of the Arenal Volcano. Here in the center of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, we experienced the most spectacular rain forests. All that elementary school education about tree frogs and sloths finally came to good use! We were sooooo lucky because we happened to have perfect weather for our entire stay (they don't call them "RAIN forests" for no reason). And usually the clouds are so thick and dense that you can't even see the volcano. But the gods came in and parted those fluffy cumulus muffins and left us a perfect view of this majestic beauty - every. single. day. See for yourself!

BUT - getting to a perfect destination requires some imperfect travel (Ce La Vie?). Since we decided to do public buses, we ended up having a full day trek from Nosara to La Fortuna. Yeah, tell me about it. And this time it wasn't by choice. In the end we took five different buses and went to the following towns: Nosara, Nicoya, Juantas, Canas, Tilaran, and then finally La Fortuna. A total of 6 towns, 5 buses, and 10 hours! It was long, but the journey was pretty hilarious. Our bus from Juantas to Canas was so packed that I had to squeeze into this little space at the bottom of the back door. I was surrounded by many small children. We didn't have room to take of our packs and Rachel's straps kept hitting the kids in the face. I kept trying to move them, but Rachel and I just busted up laughing every time we looked at each other. She tried to capture the moment, but as I'm sure you can imagine, getting a picture in that mess was an adventure itself.

    

See that kid on the left? He was hanging on for dear life. His toes were hanging off 6 inches of standing room. One time we stopped and started really fast so I put my hand up to keep him from falling. My hand just happened to be really close to his derriere. Aaaawkward. Haha. 

At our final stop before La Fortuna, we enjoyed ourselves some species of oranges. YU-UM! In Costa Rica they scrape off the hard outer edge so you can squeeze the orange for your very own juice. 

When in Costa Rica, do as the Tico's do. And by golly you better do it with joy!

These lil guys were our first encounter with Costa Rica wildlife (aside from those scary Howler Monkeys... *shudder*) They are called Coati and they feed off human scraps. Soooo, Tico Racoons. Every country has 'em I guess. I imagine they like their cheetos spicy, so keep that in mind. 

For the rest of the day, we just wanted to chill. Our hostel had a pool. Wahoo! So we saw no reason for getting out of beach mode just yet. But lucky me what did I discover out on the pool deck?

THIS GUY! I call him Gustavo. 

He was a little camera shy. And Jenny shy. We made eye contact and he smiled before he ran away.

But he made up for it by showing off his swimming skills!

Ok, enough of Gustavo. Sorry girls, if you want more, come over and see the action series I got of him. I'm thinking of making it into a calendar. 

Anyway, La Fortuna is pretty much activity central of Costa Rica. Rachel and I participated in three. I had to separate them into different posts, but here is activity 1: Hanging Bridges!

These pictures were taken at the beginning of our trek. It's part of the national park. What a beautiful view! And that Volcano sure looks great too. (haha, ok, oldest trick in the book, but I just couldn't resist. 

We finally made it into the rain forest. Apparently there are so many people on this trail everyday that most of the wildlife has fluttered away, but we got lucky. We found THIS GUY!

Yep, that's a snake. Be jealous. So jealous. 

And when the wildlife was sparse, Rachel and I became the wildlife.

This my Spider Monkey face... caught in the act!

Watch out Tucan Sam! Tucan Rachel's on the rise!

Now I'm an alligator... ready for the kill.

And Rachel is... uh... a SLOTH. Reaching, reaching, reaching... She'll get there eventually.

And then we actually saw a sloth. People, I can not tell you how EXCITED I was! All I really wanted to see was a sloth. Most people go their whole Costa Rica lives never getting in contact with these fine fellows, and there I was, face to ...sleeping bod. But he was a sloth. And I fell in love.

Oh my GOSH! Isn't he the sweetest?

And just to prove that we were on a high hanging bridge, we had the "Credible" Richard (our chill-tastic tour guide who said "Yes! I am so credible!") snag a quick photo of us. 

Pretty nifty indeed. And this is the beautiful view from the that very hanging bridge.

And just to prove it wasn't all rain forest, I made Rachel take a picture of this sa-weet squirrel. She chided me saying, "when I get home, I'm going to look through all these pictures and say 'Why are there so many %*#@ pictures of squirrels!?'" (she actually only said dang, but I had to add the exclamations for effect... tee hee).

Ok, well, he may not look like much to you, but check it. He was Brown, Black, AND Tan. A Tri-colored squirrel! You should have seen it, he was great!

And just because I couldn't resist, I took some pictures of flowers that are native in Costa Rica. Impatiens and begonias. Look at those colors! Beautiful aren't they? Apparently they grow like weeds. How "unfortunate."

Tomorrow we get to explore the Rio Celeste - a beautiful river that has been turned blue by volcanic sulfur. We will also discover the town of La Fortuna in all of it's charm. I'm getting excited just thinking about it!!