Bluebonnets

While this picture was taken in the spring of 2007 which was an outstanding year for wildflowers here, it appears that this spring will only be okay. Lots of bluebonnets are around, though somewhat stunted from lack of late winter rain, but they are starting to fill out and bloom.

I learned something fascinating yesterday from my wife regarding bluebonnets. If you have ever looked closely at the blooms and noticed at the base of each bloom is a patch of color...either purplish or white. The white patch indicates a flower that has not yet been pollinated whereas a purple one has been pollinated. I guess it is a guiding mechanism for the creatures that do the pollinating.

Here is a link to learn a little more and see some pictures of what I am talking about.

It's Asparagus Time

We have been harvesting asparagus now for a week or so, and in the last week they have really been increasing in rate of growth and harvest. The temperatures have been in the 70's for the last week, though no rainfall, and everything is looking like spring.

Our asparagus bed is about 5-6' wide and about 8-9' long. This is the first season that we have been harvesting after building the bed a couple of years ago and, very patiently, allowing the plantings to mature for a couple of years.

The spears are good and thick, and very juicy and sweet. They are great to just snap-off out in the garden and start munching on the spot...but most find their way into the kitchen for a lite steaming or sauteing.

The plants were prolific seeders last summer as well. We have many little plants growing in the mulched walkways around the bed, many of which are sending up their own little spears for us to munch on. It is difficult to want to pluck the plants out of the walkways...maybe after harvest season.