Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913

Largesse from the Garden

Last week my column was entitled "Life Giving Rain" by the Courier, which is a very accurate title. Unfortunately, it's brought life not only to my desired plantings, but also to all the myriad of weeds that try to live here. When it's dry, the weeds mostly only grow in the rows, because the drip system keeps the water going to just the rows. But with the rains hitting everywhere, the weeds are coming on like gangbusters everywhere.

All of the garden is turning green. There's supposed to be bare brown ground between the rows. Now, not all the greenery between the rows would normally be known as weeds. But technically, any plant growing where not desired is a weed (see Webster's dictionary). I do believe I could supply the county with cilantro, dill, husk cherries, and moon flowers. Half the county could likewise have love-lies-bleeding (also known as cockscomb) and baby's breath (the annual, not the perennial version which is a noxious weed) from my largesse. (At least, they could have those were I not busy ripping out most of them. I will leave some for my own usage and enjoyment. I don't plant those things, they just volunteer to show up every year.)

The rains are also causing my lawn and yard grasses to grow like, well, weeds. I'd just mowed all of my acreage right before these most recent rains. It looks like I'll be riding the mower between rain showers as more of those are in the forecasts. Between weeding and mowing, my days will be full. I did get the other weedblock cloth installed, so one less area to weed. It was put down along the west side of the garden, which butts up against the shelterbelt. While working there, I disturbed (attracted?) a tick. I felt it crawling up the back of my neck, which disturbed me, a lot. I was itchy the rest of the day. At least it hadn't started sucking my blood.

I am enjoying all the early largesse from my garden. I'm planning a nice fresh salad to go with my spicy chicken legs (found while defrosting the freezer during one of the rains). I know I can find enough leaf lettuce for a salad for two. I'll add a few leaves from the Swiss chard, as well as some beet greens. I can pinch off a leaf or two from my lone red kale plant. I'll chop in the tops off a few scallions, perhaps a couple scapes from the garlic, and the few radishes that managed to mature instead of bolting (as the first planting of those did). I even have a small green pepper I can add. I might throw in some dried cranberries, some feta or freshly grated asiago cheese, and definitely a handful of sliced almonds for crunch.

I have several choices for salad dressings to go with that fresh salad. I could go with several of my sugar-free dressings, or use my favorite poppyseed dressing. I'm not currently doing the Whole Life Challenge (next one starts July 13), so, for now, sugar is ok (although I'm not using as much as I used to).

Sugar-free Balsamic Dressing

1/3 C balsamic vinegar

2/3 C extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 Tbl equivalent stevia

1 tsp Dijon mustard

Salt & pepper to taste

Optional: 1 tsp honey

Optional: 1 tsp fresh chives or other herb, chopped

Mix all together and refrigerate

Cilantro/Parsley Dressing

1/2 C fresh cilantro

1/4 medium red onion

1 clove garlic

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp cracked black pepper

1/4 tsp sea salt

1 Tbl lime juice

1 tsp red wine vinegar

1/4 C EV olive oil

Mix all together in processor or high speed blender. Toss with salad.

Honey Mustard Dressing

1/2 C honey

1/2 C mayonnaise

1 1/2 Tbl stoneground Dijon mustard

3 Tbl yellow mustard

2 Tbl fresh lemon juice

Salt & pepper to taste

Mix well with whisk. Store in fridge.

Poppyseed Dressing

3/4 C sugar

1 1/2 Tbl poppyseeds

1 tsp dry mustard

1 tsp salt

1/3 C cider vinegar

2 tsp grated onion

1 C canola oil

Blend dry ingredients together. Add vinegar and onion. Beat at medium speed for 3 minutes. Gradually add oil in a steady stream until thick. Pour into a kidded jar Ann's store in the fridge. (This does get quite thick, and keeps for a long time. It is really good on a salad with strawberries.)

 

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