Why Spring is One of my Four Favorite Seasons

[StrawHat]

I just enjoy watching them unfold. Started with three plants not we have 30+.

Kevin

 

[Spindrift]

I agree, the spring is wonderful! It feels like I'm unfolding a little, myself. Around here, the cherry trees are in blossom these days. Yesterday, a little moose paid is a visit in the garden.

 

[358156 hp]

Fiddleheads?

 

[Cadillac Jeff]

Ferns

 

[Ian]

We don't have spring. Or fall. Just the hot season and the not so hot season.

 

[CZ93X62]

What Ian said. Summer and February.

 

[StrawHat]

Yes, fiddlehead ferns. When first emerging they appear as fiddleheads and the uncurl into the leafy frond. They are also edible. I like them sauteed with olive oil and lemon then finished with a bit of sea salt.

Kevin

 

[fiver]

I had no idea what they were either.

and blossoms?
my trees don't even have leaves yet.
I got one or two leaves breaking out of their buds on a couple of things, but certainly not the fruit trees. maybe another 2-3 weeks.

 

[L Ross]

Ostrich fern fiddle heads. Identifiable by the U shaped channel on the "inside" curve of the stem. We sautee' them with fresh asparagus, pickle them, heck, we've even done them creamed on toast with grated cheddar cheese.

 

[fiver]

what kind of weather will they handle?
do they do 20-25 below zero, or snow, or being buried in ice for a bit, or stand the shade?

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

I haven't heard of anyone knowing about FH since i left Main in 77. MMMMM good.

 

[StrawHat]

I can tell you they tolerate down to zero and a bit further. Shade, definitely, they prefer it. Mine are thriving under a black walnut tree if that tells you anything.

Kevin

 

[fiver]

have to keep my eyes open for some to try.
I got a spot... LOL.

 

[L Ross]

what kind of weather will they handle?
do they do 20-25 below zero, or snow, or being buried in ice for a bit, or stand the shade?

Yes they will. I have mine in rich low soil on the edges of woods. But yes we get medium harsh Winters here with -20-30 not uncommon. They spread once established.

 

[fiver]

they might just do well over there then.
I have a spot with really good dirt it just is the first to freeze and the last to thaw and sits in the shade or at best dappled shade 23hrs a day.
stuff grows great there the first summer,,, but? it has bested pretty much everything I have thrown at it after their first winter.

 

[StrawHat]

Ferns like dappled shade and can be found in forests. Your spot does not sound bad. I might like it myself when it comes my time to be planted!

Kevin

 

[fiver]

yeah [chuckle] that's what they said about the other stuff I put there.

 

[Glaciers]

We don't have spring. Or fall. Just the hot season and the not so hot season.

Yeah we like to say "two seasons in Alaska, winter and Fourth of July"
Spring is the best here, world waking up. The Birch buds started couple days ago, and should be fully open by tomorrow. Crazy fast. I Believe there's a chance the snow will be gone the day after tomorrow as well.

 

[Glaciers]

what kind of weather will they handle?
do they do 20-25 below zero, or snow, or being buried in ice for a bit, or stand the shade?

We tranns planted ferns from the coast to the interior here which can and often gets -40 plus and they are in a planter on the north side of our house. They are doing fine, been coming up now for 15 - 20 years.

 

[fiver]

I will try to find some.

I got some starts from some Viking berries from Siberia, they are finally showing some signs of life over in the warm side of the yard.
I thought about giving them a go over on the shaded south side.
their descriptor reads like they grow in everything everywhere from bogs and swamps to just about desert conditions and barely need dirt.
they are maybe 6"s tall after 3 years.

the only thing I have got going good over there is the Tayberries, I believe they do good because they vine up and out of the darkness, and they can catch a little bit of late afternoon Sun, problem is I can't find any more of those.