Yay

I found an ebay seller that sells spores of  Matteuccia struthiopteris. Known as the Ostrich fern, but known to us Mainers (whether they know the botanical fancypants name or not) as the edible Fiddlehead.
This is one of those native spring delicacies that people from away tend to be leery of.  They grow in many other states and i'm sure people eat them, but it seems to be more of the thing to do up here.  In other places, people keep them as pet plants in shade gardens, having no idea that they have something yummy in the ground.
I have been trying to establish a patch in the yard for a few years, i have only a couple hold-outs left since the shady spot they were in has become less shady as  we have cleared out an overgrown and dying cedar  that was hit by lightening a few years back.  There is one of those 'trees' left and as soon as possible, i want that removed too. Its really just an overgrown hedge plant that got away from the previous owner and instead of being a neatly clipped landscape bush, it is now a towering 35' monstrosity.  Anyway, its not long for this place, the only reason i haven't pestered our Tree Man to come take it now is because there is a family of Blue Jays nesting in it. So, hopefully later this fall.... 
Ok, where was i...
Oh yes,  so the seller sells spores and i think i can handle starting those indoors and then planting out the ferns in a nice shady spot on the opposite side of the shed that is next to my garden.
The older ferns need to be moved there once things around the house (spring cleaning/rearranging) cools off.
I am also hoping to get some Ramps (wild leek/wild onion) from Oikos to plant there as well... yummy leek-like Ramps and delicious and limited seasonal Fiddleheads.

I can't go tramping for Fiddleheads anymore on account of my bad leg and my uncle who used to supply the family with them, has been gone for a few years now.   I think of him when i see them actually...

So, hopefully i can have good luck with this plan....

She also sells Huckleberry seeds, i plan to try those too.  And i ordered more letuce seed from her.

Yay!

Pictures

I took some pictures the other evening. They were taken near a baseball field where our daughter's softball team plays sometimes.

It was so cold out,  but the surrounding forest looked so green and lush.

My new camera lens has some lint inside it, so it is really hard to get the focus right.

 The big tree looks like it wanted to lay down for a nap.

These are pictures i like to look at on hot summer days...

Just reminding myself...

I need to prioritize the Parsnip planting today.  I feel like i am so far behind. Probably because half the other blogs i read are by people who live at least one zone south of me and that puts me about a week to 10 days behind them per zone. But i can keep myself in check to some extent by reading the Johnny's Seeds blog. They are in my zone so i can pretty much follow their lead.
They had Globe Artichokes survive the winter under their row covers this year.  I think that is awesome. They are taking root divisions and planting them out right about now.  My Imperial Star Artichoke (same as theirs) seedlings withstood the hard frost of the other day and that softened the blow of losing all else. Artichokes are up at the top of my list for favorite veggies, like in the top 5...and i'm a vegeholic. But its hard to grow them up here and the grocery stores want a lot for them.... other than pickled or canned, there isn't much else to get. Pickled and canned are fine, but fresh is a goal i'd like to achieve.

The Jerusalem Artichokes are looking good. Getting taller, it looks like all 4 varieties are making a good showing. I can't wait to try the different ones side-by-side and see what characteristics they have.

Found this Video on YouTube.  I hope it links.  I need a hoe like this cause i think it will save me a lot of trouble if i can imitate this method.




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Circa 1:38 pm

I got the parsnips planted. So that is one thing accomplished today. I also put up the last 2 hoops that i still had. I need to get the rest of them this weekend and install them so i can get the broccoli and suchlike out there.

My used books are on their way,  their estimated delivery dates are both June 3...

I am reading "Root Cellaring" now, so far it is interesting.