Short and sweet

The last couple of weeks remind me of the reason for planting early spring crops. Each February I rethink the effort to plant snow peas and lettuce. They will be enjoyed for such a short time. Our springs frequently change abruptly to hot weather and these crops suffer. In addition, the beds are needed for the summer crops mentioned earlier. Already I have transplanted the eggplant and peppers into gallon pots, where they can stretch out a bit while they wait for their own raised bed, presently occupied by peas.

Those first salads of tender lettuce and spinach with homemade blue cheese dressing dissolve any doubts I might have had! These are nightly appreciated. The snow and snap peas, those that make it in from the garden, stir-fried lightly in a tiny drizzle of fruity olive oil then tossed with golden raisins....well, there it is.

Lettuce varieties for 2004: 'Plato', 'New Red Fire', 'Green Ice', 'Buttercrunch', 'Cimmaron' all from Pinetree Seeds. Also 'Crispy Frills' a freebie from someone.



Spinach varieties for 2004 : 'Space', Corretta'. Also from Pinetree

Pea varieties for 2004 : 'Mega' snap peas and "Oregon Sugar Pod II' snow peas from Territoral Seeds