Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Already the dandelions have gone to seed and only a few yellow flowers can be found in the lawn.  According to Penn State Extension, dandelions flower when the day length is less than twelve hours, which explains why they are more prevalent in the spring than in the summer. By fall, lawns are thicker which will prevent seeds from taking root. Being one of the first plants to flower they provide an early source of nectar for the bee population.

With the numerous benefits that dandelions have to offer, they should hardly be considered a weed. A native of Eurasia, they were probably introduced to America because of their nutritional and medicinal value. If you would prefer that they remain in meadows and ditches, instead of in your front lawn, they can easily be dug up (be sure to get the entire root as they are a perennial). Instead of discarding the plant, the leaves can be served fresh on salads or steamed quickly for a nutrient packed side dish. They are a very bitter herb, but that is probably because of the high quantity of vitamins and minerals in each plant. Dandelion leaves contain more vitamin A than almost any other fruit or vegetable (338% of recommended daily value (RDA)/100g ). They are also one of the richest sources of vitamin K of any herb (649% RDA/100g). The plants are also a good source of fiber, calcium and iron as well as various beneficial flavonoids. Later in the summer or fall, the roots can be dug up, roasted and ground, and then brewed by itself or mixed with chicory for a coffee substitute. I may have to give that a try this year.     

So, next time you see a yard or field of dandelions remember that although they may be a weed in your lawn, they can also serve many useful purposes including providing food for the insect population as well as ourselves. 



Sources: Penn State Extension -http://extension.psu.edu/pests/weeds/weed-id/common-dandelion


webpage - http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/dandelion-herb.html

Is This a Hazardous Waste Cleanup?

No, just getting ready to tackle the poison ivy!

In spite of my best efforts, I still got a rash on both arms, due to a breakthrough in one of the arms and difficulty getting the suit and gloves off! Next time, the duct tape around my wrists will be applied loosely. However, the contact was minimal and the rash is minor. I bought this Tyvek suit and neoprene gloves for around $10 at Ocean State Job Lot - well worth the cost.

Unfortunately, although I removed most of the visible vines in my planting bed, I could not get all of the poison ivy since it has spread prolifically into the woods. It seems to have really taken off in the past few years.  Where previously there was only a small patch that was easy to avoid, except perhaps when retrieving a soccer or basketball that had rolled into the area, it has recently expanded both into the woods and our lawn. I just read an article in the Concord Monitor which provides one explanation for this apparent increase in abundance of this noxious weed.    "My Turn: Poison ivy grabbing more and more territory in NH"

Construction Season

It took only about five days for a pair of Eastern Phoebes to go from this -

to this -

We missed these birds last year when they failed to appear in the spring after several seasons of nesting in the same spot.  I wonder if these birds are related? It was amazing to watch them work as they both flew back and forth depositing mud and grass on this narrow space. An insect eater, phoebes are a member of the flycatcher family. They were also the first birds banded in North America in a 1840 study by James Audubon. One bird marked with a wire was documented as returning the next year (The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds).

From The Birds of America, John James Audubon, 1944 (Plate#434 Flycatchers and Vireo)

Tiger Lily or Orange Daylily

I remember along the roadsides in Michigan "Tiger Lilies" seemed to be everywhere. However, as I researched for this Blog, I discovered that these were most likely not true Tiger Lilies or Lilium lancifolium, but were probably the common Orange Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva). In any event, after I got married and moved to New Hampshire it seemed that these sightings became less common. It was no matter, because I had become tired of their common orange color which had been so prevalent while growing up.  However, as often happens when nostalgia kicks in, I found myself yearning for a bed of "tiger lilies". I was so excited then to be able to barter an old skateboard for an entire garbage bag full of plants last spring. I suspected these plants would be carefree and that all I had to do was dig up some dirt, plant the roots and in no time I would be enjoying these bright orange beauties. I was correct about their hardiness, however, this is what I encountered last fall just as they were blooming, and the same this spring as their green shoots made their way through the dirt. Apparently they are a favorite snack for the deer in our neighborhood!

 

The First Asparagus

If it's asparagus then my birthday is near. For as long as I can remember asparagus has been my favorite vegetable. It would always be my request to accompany my birthday dinner. Now that I grow my own, it is so exciting to see the first shoots poking through the ground, a sure sign that summer will soon be on its way. It's unique flavor cannot be beat and when picked early, the tender shoots seem to melt in your mouth. There are many dishes which include asparagus, but I prefer to eat it alone with just a little lemon or hollandaise sauce on top. Here is a simple recipe that can be made in the microwave.

1 egg yolk
1/4 cup butter
1 tablespoon lemon juice

In a measuring cup, heat butter in microwave until almost melted. Add egg yolk and lemon juice and blend well. Then microwave whisking every 15 seconds. Sauce will be done when smooth and creamy. Do not overcook. Serve immediately over freshly steamed asparagus.

The Mind Does Not Belong in a Cubicle

A new book as reported in recent article in The Atlantic, "The Mind Does Not Belong in a Cubicle" verifies the importance of a human connection to nature, even while we work. The book is titled Cubed: A Secret History of the Workplace by Nikil Saval was released last week and joins other studies on how our physical work space impacts our lives. It makes perfect sense to me that worker satisfaction and productivity increase when there is the opportunity to connect to the out-of-doors, such as through windows letting in natural sunlight or the ability to get outside and actual see, smell and taste the natural environment on a daily basis.  Although in my office I am adjacent to large windows, they do not open and the blinds are typically shut so that we can all see our computer screens without glare. Because of this, I find it extremely important to get outside at least once during the day to take a walk or run an errand. If you are like me and spend most of your day working in a cubicle, what do you do to relieve stress and rejuvenate yourself during work hours?