Bishop Weed, also known as Goutweed

Bishop Weed, also known as Goutweed ~ Aegopodium podagraria

 My experience with both varieties of Bishop Weed is a love/hate relationship. They are easy to grow, are deer and rabbit proof, and spread easily. Ah, but there is the problem... they spread! Everywhere! You can pull them up, dig them up, mow them down and next year you will find them in the same area from rhizomes left from pulling and in new areas as they also spread from seed. The ones pictured were pulled up last summer and they are back as if they hadn't been touched. If you really, really want them, I suggest growing them in pots and cutting and destroying the flowers before they set seed. As they are an invasive plant, you may want to avoid them in areas where you want to keep native wild plants as these will choke out just about every thing else. It is banned from being sold in some states. It was brought here here as an ornamental plant in the 1850's, it is native to Europe, Northern Asia and Siberia. Before you decide to plant Bishop Weed please read the comments: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/546/#b  Also read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegopodium_podagraria
Aegopodium podagraria, commonly called ground elder, herb gerard, bishop's weed, goutweed, and snow-in-the-mountain, is a perennial plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae) that grows in shady places. The name "ground elder" comes from the superficial similarity of its leaves and flowers to those of elder (Sambucus), which is unrelated. It is the type species of the genus Aegopodium. This species is native to Eurasia, and has been introduced around the world as an ornamental plant, where it occasionally poses an ecological threat as an invasive exotic plant.
I do use the flowers (which are quite fragrant) and leafy stems in arrangements but you have to presoak them before using as the wilt rather quickly. As for it being edible, I wouldn't try it. It's medicinal properties need more research.

Bishop Weed-Snow on the Mountain ~ Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegatum'

Egyptian walking onions (multiplier onion)

Egyptian walking onions (Allium cepa var. proliferum) are unique in that they grow bulblets on top of their stalks. It’s been a constant in my garden for about 30 years. This is one plant (of many) that does well all over the garden, the pathways, and any other spot it can find! It’s not quite time for the little bulblets to form, but very close. It’s great to have around for adding to salads, first thing in the spring, along with some fresh chives and garlic leaves. Add some fresh thyme and oregano and you have a great bundle of herbs for cooking just about anything.

Walking onions, garlic, oregano & lemon mint, in the pathway, of course.

Bulblets forming... won't be long!

Hardiness Zones - Last Frost dates

June 10, 2008... Iris blooms and snow

Gardeners are a hardy bunch and have to be by their very nature, to endure the trails, tribulations and the great rewards of planting and tending a garden. I have planted as early as March and as late as July. The rain was so abundant one year that I gave up and let the garden go wild. In May of 2010, our apple tree was in full bloom and had a covering of snow, in June 2008 another late snow dusted the flowers and trees.

May 5, 2010... Apple Blossoms and Snow

To learn more about your growing seasons, you can use local and regional data to get an idea of what your sowing, growing and harvest dates are on average which can be found online, at your local Extension Service, Agricultural Center, or you local library. The last frost date (on average) for our area is May 17, the "Safe" date is June 11. The USDA Hardiness Zone map puts our area in zone 5, which gives our average low temperatures of -10 degrees to -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Reflections on 2012 gardening

At last! Looks like we are in for a great weekend for gardening! Reviewing my garden pictures from last year I noticed that we were preparing the raised beds on May 13th so we are a week ahead or more if you take into consideration that we have plants in the greenhouse that are ready to set out. The cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and spinach won't need to be covered as they have been outside to harden off and they don't mind getting frosted should we have more frost, which is very likely! The planter, in the picture, worked out nicely for the peppers last year and this year the patio tomatoes will be planted in it. The only drawback was that the cover for the soil was destroyed by the squirrels to make their nests! It had the planting instructions on it too! Oh well, I bet we can figure something out.

May 13, 2012 - Beds are ready to plant! 

I tried out a "Topsy Turvy" planter for a couple of tomato plants last year and was not really happy with the results. It took lots of looking after to make sure it had enough water and I'm not that dedicated... so the results weren't great. I may try again this year, we shall see. A friend tried this type of planter as well and wasn't happy with it either.

August 22, 2012 - Pepper are ready to pick!

The hanging, green bag is the Topsy Turvy