What a welcomed treat to see your post this morning Ashley. Just up above you here in New Brunswick Canada in my area at least, we’re weeks behind. The dandelions only as of yesterday started to pop up and your post reminded me of all the dandelion choices I decided last year that I wasn’t able to make this year I am! Your dandelion honey recipe I made last year was so so so good that this year I decided to triple my yield. And hear you say dandelion green pesto? Well now girl! That’s a new must try! Last year I made your elderberry mead. First time ever making mead. I’m hooked! So looks like the first small batch this year will be dandelion! Thank you so much for pumping me up this morning with new recipes I certainly plan on making this week! Woohoo! Let the season begin!
Wow! Forsythia tea and jelly! I have many forsythia bushes in my yard - can't wait to try this. As always, you have so much to teach us! Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
Thanks Ashley....what a great read....you and your family are truly amazing....I love all that you share...and I do try and implement as much as I can, when I can. I can tell you that I have had problems with local possums eating my flowers, my celery, my basil, and so many other things I have growing....darn it. I have to start covering lots more! Thanks again, have an awesome month! Hugs, Barbara from Oz xoxoxo
We have surprisingly few possums around here for whatever reason, but literally van loads of raccoons and skunks at every turn. At least those don't eat your flowers...but they have other challanges.
Always love your articles and learn something new every time! Who knew u could use forsythia blossoms to make jam! I have already harvested ramps (for ramp pasta and greens / beans and sausage). This year we were also able to harvest some fiddlehead ferns! We marked the location last year once we found them fully open. They were all delicious! I love being able to use what God has so nicely provided for us!
Always enjoy your posts. They are as already mentioned very informative, and inspiring! I started "deflowering" dandelions today. Was curious how people do this. I'm squeezing the flower at the base of the green part and rolling it between my fingers. Then I pull the yellow part, and I get it and a white cotton like attachment.. I understand. No green. My dandelions here have mostly flowered, and gone to seed, but still enough for various experimentation. I'm putting what I pick into a mason jar and then the freezer until I have at least a quart..
I'm also going to eat some of the leaves...😜. What's the best length? I know it will be bitter if I get too big.
For dandelion greens, it's best to get them before the dandelions flower, as once they're in bloom, that's when they start to get bitter. Those are really best VERY early in the season, and you have to find the dandelions in a sea of grass on the lawn without having the blossoms to call them out...so a bit tricky.
For "deflowering" everyone has their own method, but my go to way is to break the flowers in half (Left to right when you're looking at them from the top). Next, I pull the petals out from the middle, leaving a half "bowl" of the sepals behind. That method works for me, and I can clean them really fast that way, but I've heard all sorts of methods.
Always love to read what’s going on by you. I will be looking forward to your review on pressure canners. I have been waiting to start canning from my garden. With regards ❤️
Thanks Angela! That one's high on my list, so hopefully I'll have it up soon...but I gotta finish testing them all first...and there are just so darn many!
Great morning read ready to kick off my week...now. Please include more freeze dried recommendations my HR will arrive this week anxious to make good use of it.
What a welcomed treat to see your post this morning Ashley. Just up above you here in New Brunswick Canada in my area at least, we’re weeks behind. The dandelions only as of yesterday started to pop up and your post reminded me of all the dandelion choices I decided last year that I wasn’t able to make this year I am! Your dandelion honey recipe I made last year was so so so good that this year I decided to triple my yield. And hear you say dandelion green pesto? Well now girl! That’s a new must try! Last year I made your elderberry mead. First time ever making mead. I’m hooked! So looks like the first small batch this year will be dandelion! Thank you so much for pumping me up this morning with new recipes I certainly plan on making this week! Woohoo! Let the season begin!
Nice! Sounds like you have as many projects going on over there as I do! Gotta love it =)
Wow! Forsythia tea and jelly! I have many forsythia bushes in my yard - can't wait to try this. As always, you have so much to teach us! Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
I was really amazed at how tropical and peachy it turned out. Some flower jellies are better than others, and this one's a keeper for sure!
I just love hearing about your works in progress. I am very inspired by them! Thank you for continuing to share your life with us all.
You're quite welcome Linda!
Thanks Ashley....what a great read....you and your family are truly amazing....I love all that you share...and I do try and implement as much as I can, when I can. I can tell you that I have had problems with local possums eating my flowers, my celery, my basil, and so many other things I have growing....darn it. I have to start covering lots more! Thanks again, have an awesome month! Hugs, Barbara from Oz xoxoxo
We have surprisingly few possums around here for whatever reason, but literally van loads of raccoons and skunks at every turn. At least those don't eat your flowers...but they have other challanges.
Always love your articles and learn something new every time! Who knew u could use forsythia blossoms to make jam! I have already harvested ramps (for ramp pasta and greens / beans and sausage). This year we were also able to harvest some fiddlehead ferns! We marked the location last year once we found them fully open. They were all delicious! I love being able to use what God has so nicely provided for us!
Me too! There's so much abundance just about everywhere you look, if you know how to see it.
Always enjoy your posts. They are as already mentioned very informative, and inspiring! I started "deflowering" dandelions today. Was curious how people do this. I'm squeezing the flower at the base of the green part and rolling it between my fingers. Then I pull the yellow part, and I get it and a white cotton like attachment.. I understand. No green. My dandelions here have mostly flowered, and gone to seed, but still enough for various experimentation. I'm putting what I pick into a mason jar and then the freezer until I have at least a quart..
I'm also going to eat some of the leaves...😜. What's the best length? I know it will be bitter if I get too big.
For dandelion greens, it's best to get them before the dandelions flower, as once they're in bloom, that's when they start to get bitter. Those are really best VERY early in the season, and you have to find the dandelions in a sea of grass on the lawn without having the blossoms to call them out...so a bit tricky.
For "deflowering" everyone has their own method, but my go to way is to break the flowers in half (Left to right when you're looking at them from the top). Next, I pull the petals out from the middle, leaving a half "bowl" of the sepals behind. That method works for me, and I can clean them really fast that way, but I've heard all sorts of methods.
Thanks! I'm too late... maybe...
Always love to read what’s going on by you. I will be looking forward to your review on pressure canners. I have been waiting to start canning from my garden. With regards ❤️
Thanks Angela! That one's high on my list, so hopefully I'll have it up soon...but I gotta finish testing them all first...and there are just so darn many!
Great morning read ready to kick off my week...now. Please include more freeze dried recommendations my HR will arrive this week anxious to make good use of it.
Blessings to you and family
Nice! Freeze dried strawberries are absolutely amazing and they're in season right now. Those are going to fill mine all month.