Garden Diary - Mar 16

First sighting of crocuses today! The yellow ones in the front are blooming, although they're practically buried under the masses of dead mint. Hopefully it won't rain this upcoming weekend, so that I can spend some time cleaning up in the garden.

And I've found another source for sorrel seeds, since Botanical Interests doesn't ship to Canada. From West Coast Seeds http://www.westcoastseeds.com/ I've ordered:

- Rainbow tuscan kale: A cheerful cross of beloved Lacinato with the super cold hardy Redbor produces these CERTIFIED ORGANIC, multicoloured plants with mostly the strap-like leaves of the Lacinato and the colouring of the Redbor. It is slower to bolt and more productive than Lacinato. Gathered in bunches, you will get some with blue green leaves, some purple leaves, some curly edges, some with red veins - enjoy cooking this colourful bouquet all winter long.
Matures in 65 days.

- Touchstone gold beets: The beautiful bright colours of Touchstone gold are a table delight! This new variety replaces the Burpee's Golden with a more vibrant yellow interior and red skin. The strong tops are green with green stems and pale golden petioles, while roots are a vibrant orange, uniformly globe-shaped, and very smooth; making a stunning display on the market table.
Matures in 53 days.

- White dutch clover: Trifolium repens. This low-growing perennial clover is for paths and will also add diversity to lawns. Flowers attract and nourish beneficial insects.

- Adagio: This new variety of Arugula has all the same flavour and nutrients, but is slow to bolt in summer heat. Ideal for market gardeners because of its extended harvest potential! Matures in 30-40 days.

- Large leaf sorrel: This vigorous perennial plant provides huge pickings of delicious, lemony, dark-green leaves from March to November. Sow May to June 1cm (1/2") deep in rows 45cm (18") apart. Grow plants 30cm (12") apart. Use in salads or soup. Cut off seed stalks. Matures in 60 days.

- Wild arugula: Diplotaxis tenufolia. Imagine - an argula that does not bolt all summer long, whose leaves are held up off the ground and are easy to pick for salads and sandwiches. This open, lacy-leaved plant has a bit more of the well-loved arugula "bite" and is great for snacking. Gather leaves all summer, watch for self-sown plants around the big one, and gather those leaves in winter. Slow germination rates and very tiny seeds mean that it is best started in the house or greenhouse for transplanting to the garden when it is big enough to handle. Set them where they are to grow as they have deep roots. Matures in 30-40 days.

- Gladiator parsnips: We like Gladiator for its quick germination and early growth; it is bigger and more vigorous right from the beginning. Gladiator is wide at the top with a short body. It is tender and delicious even to the largest sizes, with no core. Canker resistant. Matures in 110 days.

- Little fingers carrots: The ultimate in baby carrots, this HEIRLOOM is a fast-maturing Nantes type with smooth, golden orange skins, crisp texture, and a tender core. Short at 10cm (3 1/2"), Little Fingers is well suited to container growing and may succeed in heavier soils. For best results, plant these gourmet carrots in well-cultivated soil from March to July for continuous harvests right into early winter. The sweet flavoured, uniform roots are perfect for pickling, or eating fresh out of the garden. Matures in 60 days.