in my garden today
A morning walk was diverted by yet another flood event; the creek was up — a lot. Hoping to solve a plant problem my Plan B was initiated. I hadn't expected to see snow flurries over the mountains as I searched for, then failed to source, a poblano chili seedling. It'll be too cool this season for capsicums. Poblano chilies aren't so picky. Who knew it was spring? This elder, apparently.
Elders have grown here since before my time. That's just as well. When I moved in there was a witch living opposite. I planted a rowan, just in case. Once she left, another arrived next door to her. More of a kindly witch, that one bequeathed some of the roses and an iris still battling along in my garden. Even now there's still one away over the back. I feel more at ease with elders, a rowan and a venerable old holly tree to make them think twice about over-flying my garden.
Beyond the obvious, witch frustration, the elder is simply magical. Yes, the berries are a touch toxic, as are the leaves. This doesn't stop the flowers yielding a delicious cordial. Don't be kidded into thinking it won't keep. Capped down in small bottles and pasteurised in a water bath kept hot enough, but not too hot it will last on the shelf for ages. I'm less impressed with the so called elderflower "champagne", something of a coarse brew meant for intoxication. I've never wanted to pickle the buds and the ripe berries added to jam are interesting despite the seeds being a bit large, hard and annoying. Worth a try is the Swedish method of salting and pickling of green elderberries as a alternative to capers. No they don't taste the same, after all, they are elderberries, not capers. Will I make some more this season? Well, that depends on the weather.
in my garden today
A morning walk was diverted by yet another flood event; the creek was up — a lot. Hoping to solve a plant problem my Plan B was initiated. I hadn't expected to see snow flurries over the mountains as I searched for, then failed to source, a poblano chili seedling. It'll be too cool this season for capsicums. Poblano chilies aren't so picky. Who knew it was spring? This elder, apparently.
Elders have grown here since before my time. That's just as well. When I moved in there was a witch living opposite. I planted a rowan, just in case. Once she left, another arrived next door to her. More of a kindly witch, that one bequeathed some of the roses and an iris still battling along in my garden. Even now there's still one away over the back. I feel more at ease with elders, a rowan and a venerable old holly tree to make them think twice about over-flying my garden.
Beyond the obvious, witch frustration, the elder is simply magical. Yes, the berries are a touch toxic, as are the leaves. This doesn't stop the flowers yielding a delicious cordial. Don't be kidded into thinking it won't keep. Capped down in small bottles and pasteurised in a water bath kept hot enough, but not too hot it will last on the shelf for ages. I'm less impressed with the so called elderflower "champagne", something of a coarse brew meant for intoxication. I've never wanted to pickle the buds and the ripe berries added to jam are interesting despite the seeds being a bit large, hard and annoying. Worth a try is the Swedish method of salting and pickling of green elderberries as a alternative to capers. No they don't taste the same, after all, they are elderberries, not capers. Will I make some more this season? Well, that depends on the weather.