Sunday, as the day after the farmers’ market (when I have to get up at 4 a.m.) is usually a pretty lazy day for me, but I did do a little planting today:  some quinoa–mostly just to see what it’s like when I’m not getting it in a box.  I curious to see if the leaves can really be used like spinach.

My biggest task was planting some leeks.  I love them, but I’ve not ever tried to grow them so this will be fun too.  I know I was amazed the first time I tasted REALLY fresh broccoli–you know, the home-grown, just-picked kind.  I hope there will be a similar experience with the leeks, too.

I’ve added a couple more herbs–Spanish tarragon (a.k.a. Tagetes lucida) which did not do well for me last year); papalo (a first time one for me) since I’m always looking for potential substitutes for cilantro; epazote (again–more since it did overwinter), Thai basil, cinnamon basil, lime basil, and lemon basil. The burnet is back and looking healthy as is the Greek oregano, the marjoram.  The Syrian oregano didn’t come back so that needs to be replaced.  I’m most pleased that the French, or summer, thyme is back and looking great; I’ve added some English thyme, too.

My mint is looking really scruffy–unknown kind that I got from a friend and keep for the awesome flavor.  I’ll need to see what I can do to help it along.  Might be time to repot it.  The lemon grass and the fern-leaf dill are looking good too.

Even though I’m always looking for stand-ins for cilantro, I’ve given up on culantro–flavor is okay, but the leaves are very tough, and I seem to have no “luck” at growing it–so on to something else.  I do want to add Vietnamese coriander to the collection too.

Even though it’s not an herb, I’m most happy to see my planter of alpine strawberries is doing well again this year–I may not get lots of berries, but the flavor is so great.  They never really make it into the kitchen–just get eaten out of hand as I pick them.

Ready for some spring and summer flavors–updates to follow as things grow.

alpine strawberries