California Spring
March 13, 2025
Welcome California spring! We always gets a head start with February and March being our early spring months. The roses are leafing out. The camellias are blooming. The narcissi and daffodils are also in bloom. The flowering magnolia is magnificent and we are even getting some spring rains. Hallelujah. I took my cue from nature and started the earlier seeds last month. Next week I'll start the zinnias. Soon my husband will order the soil amendments and then the garden work will officially begin. The best time of the year!
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| Look at these cymbidium orchids! Aren't they stunning? Several years ago my friends gave me some gnarly roots when they moved and I planted them in this pot. Last year I think they were in shock and bloomed very little, but this year they feel right at home and gave a burst of bloom. I will divide them after this bloom because they are definitely overcrowded. The pots rests outside year around under the olive tree where they get protection from summer sun and winter's frost, but I just moved it to sit next to the front door so we could see the blooms whenever we open the door. |
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| Peach branches. |
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| As soon as spring peeked through winter's window, I made some bouquets to place around the house. |
We love bok choy and serve it several times a month. This is my new favorite way: Cut in half, spray cut side with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, above. Place cut side down in a very very hot iron pan. Now spray the uncut side with a light spritz of olive oil too and sprinkle with more salt and pepper, see below. Cook for a few minutes until charred and turn to char the other side, see last picture. Place in an oven 350-400 degrees F for another 5-10 minutes until tender. Serve cut side up. I will often serve it with my homemade version of tomato coulis.
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If you miss fresh tomatoes but can't bear the thought of a sliced winter tomato, try dicing winter tomatoes. My own version of tomato coulis is not traditional at all, but it's a nice way to bring tomatoes into the winter diet and is great on fish, chicken, vegetables and eggs. During the summer I keep fresh salsa in the fridge but during the winter I keep this tomato dressing. It is nothing more than finely diced tomatoes, onions, celery, and cucumber, mixed with salt, pepper, and a tablespoon of both cider vinegar and olive oil. It will last for a few days in the refrigerator. I think you know that even as much as I love to cook, I'm not to fond of keeping kitchen gadgets. But of course there are a few exceptions, and an olive oil sprayer/spritzer is one of my essentials. I've had mine for years and I put it in the dishwasher when I need to refill and it has lasted for years. I love that I don't have to glug on more oil than I actually want. For a less restrained way of adding oil I use the olive oil dispenser below, which also goes into the dishwasher. Both are nice enough to keep out on the counter which is good because I use both for every meal. Both are priced under $10.  As for vegetable choppers, trust me, the Vidalia Chop Wizard is the best. I've tried them all (well, maybe not all, but many) and while it's easy to find more expensive choppers with bells and whistles, this plain and simple inexpensive chopper is by far the best. Most importantly is this: It works, it's easy and it's easy to clean! The Vidalia Chop Wizard is dishwasher safe and withstands daily use for years.  |
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| I had two amaryllis plants bloom from the baby bulbs I've been nursing in the greenhouse. I think next year at this time I should have a dozen blooming! |
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8 Comments
I look forward to your spring and summer posts. I live vicariously through you! My entire yard is shaded so no vegetables for me! I do have beautiful rhododendrons though.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love rhododendrons but in our area I can't say that I see them all that often except in parks and public places. I think they grow so large that maybe our smaller CA yards can't manage them? Just a guess. I'll bet your shady garden is beautiful.
DeleteI always love seeing the photos of your garden. I can’t even imagine seeing it panoramically in person. It has to be so stunning! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sharon! You are so sweet, but my pictures are much prettier than my actual garden. Smoke and mirrors!
DeleteWhat a happy spring post! Not a gardener my self, but the beneficiary of several. Thanks to a previous home owner, for instance, in my childhood I had the joy of a lilac tree outside my bedroom window. I kinda sorta reciprocate “existentially” by giving away many knitting projects freely (sometimes when I’d rather keep them). Chloe
ReplyDeleteI love lilacs too, but rarely see them here in my corner of California. I think they love cold weather, but not sure. Having one outside a bedroom window sounds like heaven!
DeleteI had and now have a lilac bush in my front garden. It's actually at least 2 different varieties or colors . My sister comes and "steals" as many blooms as she can carry. she gives me much stuff so I reciprocate when I can. win win. Smell is heavenly as is lilies of the valley which I allow to grow anywhere they want. Trying to wait patiently for spring to really start in NYC.
ReplyDeleteLilies of the Valley are flowers that I only read about. We don't' have them where I live but I love the fragrance in perfume! I don't think I've seen more than a few in my life. You are lucky to have both lilies of the valley and lilac. Heaven!
DeleteYou make my day when you make a comment!