The sun is out today and the first daffodils are in bloom in the woods around town. This marks something important, those beautiful spring flowers get full-to-bursting with their brilliant yellow heads, and I thought yesterday would be the day they’d pop, but they held off until this morning. In spite of 38 frosty degrees, I awoke to see the first brave daffodil souls raise their open faces to the sun. Here in northeast, there are other spring flowers such as crocus and johnny-jump-ups that are up a week and a half before. But I always feel when daffodils bloom on the hills and under the trees where I live, we have indeed survived a long, cold winter, and that’s got to be a good thing.
I just love this time of year.. garden plans that were made on paper through the chilly winter days now can come alive. We're planning to expand the herb gardens this season, to include more culinary and medicinal herbs. I took a few herbal workshops this winter. You can never learn too much about herbs. Tinctures, syrups and teas were of course a big seller for me this winter along with my soaps, especially anything with elderberry in it. I never realized what a sincere following it had. I thought it was only me :-)
In the garden... it's nearly all cleaned up. The comfrey roots have been harvested and beds thinned. Many of the calendula seeds I missed during autumn clean up have begun to self sow, so it looks like I'll be transplanting many..saving me a lot of time re-seeding this year. The grapevines are pruned and already buds are popping out on a few. Spring is such a magical time of year.
The scented geranium cuttings I planted in January are really beginning to take off, and my lovely bay and figs made it through the winter, hurray! Since returning from Italy, the one thing I've always wanted to grow was an olive tree and a few weeks ago I was able to find one in a nearby nursery. Such beautiful grey green foliage, which historically is thought to bring peace, harmony, wisdom and success in to your home. These days, I think everyone should grown one don't you?
Winter market went seasonably well for a new market, but now we are gearing up for summer markets and I can't wait! The Kennebunk Farmers Market will open May 5th this year and the Wells Market usually opens over Mothers Day weekend. We'll be offering our line of herbal and goat milk soaps, herbal balms and salves, herbal teas, and skin care specialties. We will also be expanding our summer offerings at market to include herbal jams and preserves, herbal dips,seasonings and vinegars, herbal baked goods as well as various preserved items. Be sure to check out our gift page for some of these newer items. We'll be updating it as the season progresses so do check back often. Or even stop by market to sample some of these delicious offerings.
