Spring greens usher in Earth Day

(Fresh greens from the garden sprinkled with violets make a perfect spring salad)

Ahhh ... spring — what a beautiful time of year, and with it comes (ta-dah!) the first greens from the garden — a perfect way to celebrate Earth Day, which is Wednesday.

I was giddy with delight this weekend as I uncovered the beds that had been tucked away last fall with Reemay, a great protective covering that helps prolong the growing season and keeps pests at bay.
Saturday was near 80 degrees here in the Hudson Valley; Sunday more seasonal with temps near 60, which was perfect for getting some garden work done.

M and I shared a huge salad for dinner both nights: the spinach, lettuces and other greens I had sown in late August took hold before the first frost and weathered the winter quite nicely.
I picked the young greens and washed them well, then dressed them with a simple mix of olive oil, lemon juice and a dash of Tamari. A little salt and pepper, and we were in salad heaven.
The violets are also blooming, so I tossed a few of them in as well — edible little treats that add a splash of color to salads and other recipes.

In honor of Earth Day this week, here are some early garden scenes that are a welcome sight after winter's grasp let loose:

A variety of lettuces is a welcome sight in spring.

The red and green oak-leaf lettuces look pretty in salads and just about melt in your mouth.

I was surprised to find a lovely red radicchio head and some other chicory mixed in with the greens - must have been that Misticanza-mesclun mix from Franchi.

Spinach snuggled up with a row of carrots over the winter.

M made a beautiful dish Sunday with grilled portobellos, freshly steamed spinach and gorgonzola sauce, but it did not last long enough to take a picture!

Then there is the garlic:


Nine different varieties of garlic were planted last fall. I moved my little strawberry plants to the center of the bed, thinking that by time the garlic was ready and pulled, the strawberries would have plenty of room to send out their runners.

It's such a pretty sight to see those elegant garlic leaves pushing through the straw.

Ukraine was one variety that did really well in my garden last year, so I saved some bulbs to plant again.

There is nothing more satisfying than knowing the source of your food. Try planting some seeds, even in a window box or flower pot, and see what a difference it makes — celebrate Earth Day every day of the year, and treat yourself to the joy of homegrown fare.