January 27, 2015
With the drought, our eyes had grown accustomed to dry and brown. Now that we’ve had some rain Santa Barbara looks lush and yes, green. My favorite hiking trail now welcomes with a confetti sprinkling of flowers and a soft blanket of clover and sour grass.
It’s time to kick into to overdrive with spring planting. I get giddy thinking of all those bulbs underground and the pop-up of pretty blooms. Here’s a peek at what’s been happening in the garden.
In went fifteen asparagus plants (Easter Brunch, I’m looking at you) planted with the help of our very own Casa Rice compost. These non-genetically modified UC 72’s were developed by UC Davis to withstand heat and lack of water — making them perfect for our climate. The asparagus plants are already two-years old so as soon as stalks appear we can harvest for our dinner plate.
I’ve been waiting not so patiently for this kohlrabi to bulb.
Same goes for these daffodils.
These artichokes are poised for some seriously stellar offerings.
In the fall we did a big cut back on the salvia and it’s come back in abundantly.
The melancholy and stark bones of the rose garden in winter.
After showing those damn aphids whose boss, we have purple cauliflower perfection.
Look, swans!!
I do my best to embrace the winter garden, but in my heart I’m a floozy for spring (can you blame me?). Part of the thrill is the anticipation and promise — here’s to enjoying the wait. How’s your winter garden coming along?
