| * When harvesting buds, blossoms and leaves from dandelions, be sure they haven't been treated with chemicals. Also, thoroughly rinse and dry them before using. When using any kind of garden flowers in cooking, be sure you know what they are. |
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| DANEDLION SALAD 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 teaspoon cider vinegar or lemon juice 2 cups young dandelion leaves* 1/4 cup sliced green oninos 2 hard-cooked eggs, sliced 1/2 cup grapefruit or tangerine sections Dandelion Blossoms (optional)* In a small bowl, whisk oit and vinegar. Combine dandelion leaves and onions; add dressing and toss to coat. Arrange on two salad plates; top with eggs and fruit. Garnish with dandelion blossoms if desired. Yield: 2 servings DANDELION OMELET 1/4 cup unopened dandelion buds* 1/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper 2 tablespoons butter, divided 4 eggs 1/2 teaspoon water 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Dandelion blossoms (optional)* In an 8" nonstick skillet over medium heat, saute dandelion buds and pepper 2-3 minutes in 1 tablespoon butter; remove and set aside. In same skillet, melt remaining butter. In a small bowl, beat eggs and water. Pour into the skiller; cook over medium heat. As eggs set, lift edges, letting uncooked portion flow underneath. When the eggs are set, sprinkle with cheese. Spoon the dandelion mixture over half of the eggs; fold omelet in half. Garnish with dandelion blossoms if desired. Yield: 2 servings. |
| EDIBLE WEEDS? Did you know that some weeds are edible? Well, dandelions are highly nutritious and quite tasty too! Dandelion leaves may be used as a substitute in recipes calling for chicory, arugula, escarole, or curly endive. Lemon helps mellow the hint of bitterness common in dandelion greens. Use dandelion blossoms immediately after picking, because the flowers will close quickly. Below are a couple of recipes for the use of dandelions. |
| WEEDS! YUCK! A GARDENERS CONSTANT BATTLE If you're like me, weeds are the one thing about gardening that you could live without. Unfortunately, that is not an option! We must deal with them in whichever ways seem to work best for us. I have found, and faithfully use the following two methods of weed control. They seem to work best for me. One is , mulch, mulch, mulch. I find that a good thick layer of mulch is one of the best ways to control weeds. The seeds do not get the sunlight needed for them to germinate. The other method I like is, planting my plants close together, to the point of crowding them! This works the same as mulching in that it doesn't allow sunlight to get to the weeds or weed seeds, thereby inhibiting their germination and growth. When, and they sometimes do, my plants get too crowded, I simply take some of them up, divide them, and plant them elsewhere in my garden, or give them to friends and fellow gardeners. Since I plant my garden with birds and butterflies in mind, I limit my use of chemicals. I think that you will find that the two methods I described above, will also work well for you. Sure there will be an occasional weed pop through, but overall, the benefits of these methods will far outweigh the drawbacks. Another benefit of using a good layer of mulch, is that it also minimizes the loss of water, therfore, decreasing the necessity for watering. |
| If you would like to hear more about the trials and tribulations of others--and also some good advice on seed starting from others, click here. Some Like It Hot! Gardeners in the West, especially the arid West, will appreciate the High Country Gardens catalog. It's full of wonderful photos and gardening tips. The emphasis is on drought-tolerant plants. It's great, just for the listing of lavenders alone! To get their free catalog, call 800/925-9387, or click here. to visit their web site. Don't know what USDA Zone you're in? click here Want to find out more about planting or caring for a particular Plant? Check out the Better Homes and Gardens Plant Data Base with its listing of more than 500 outdoor plants. click here If you have any gardening questions, Veronica Fowler, with Better Homes and Gardens, is always happy to answer them. Just be sure to include what part of the country you're in so she can give you accurate, useful information. To email her click here. |
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| The graphics on this page are the exclusive property of Angel Acres Garden. To view my "Free Sets" click on the logo above. Page last updated on April 30, 2005. |
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