The last few weeks have finally felt like spring in New Jersey (although we also had a mid April snow day and a couple 80 degree “summer” days 😅). I’ve been soaking up all the sunshine and what I like to refer to as “top 10 days” - spending as little time as possible tethered to a screen. In turn, I haven’t written here as much as I would’ve liked (only publishing one other post this month) - but that’s okay. This post is a bit of an April round up - so it’s got more packed into it than usual!

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is visit our beautiful arboretums, public gardens, and parks. Each week, there is always something new in bloom. I try to see as many flowers and trees at their “peak” - knowing they won’t return again for a whole other year. The wait is always worth it, though. After winter, the burst of color just makes my heart so happy. I find myself in awe thinking just how amazing it is that all these hues and types of flowers just *exist* in nature and that we get to enjoy them. 😍

While I love making special intentional trips out to certain spots, I also love seeing the flowering trees in parking lots and just the wildflowers popping up along the trail we walk the dogs daily, too.

These tulips & azaleas were captured on a rainy day in front of a shopping plaza!

I love foraging for ramps (wild leeks) - and made a batch of ramp butter this week. The flavor profile is like a young garlic / onion / chive - tastes like spring. I feel like the culinary world goes crazy over them. I only learned about them in recent years, and now I look forward to them popping up along the forest floors every April.

RAMP BUTTER

Forage ramps sustainably (taking only 1 leaf per plant, never pulling the bulbs) or purchase a bunch from your local farmer’s market.
Blend ramps with olive oil (enough to emulsify).
Whisk in olive oil ramp mixture with softened butter. I like using the vegan “butter alternative” from Trader Joe’s - but use any butter you’d like!
Store in an airtight container or wrap in parchment paper logs to freeze and save. I love having some in the freezer to work through during summer / fall / winter when ramps are long gone. So great on a piece of toast, tossed with pasta, mixed into a butternut squash curry, etc.

** If you cannot get your hands on ramps, you can honestly do this with any herb or even roasted garlic!

2ND ANNUAL SEED & PLANT SWAP AT THE LILLIE HOUSE

A couple weekends ago, I also went to The Lillie House’s second annual plant / seed swap. I went last year too, after hearing about the event through a post I saw on Facebook (which I never really use anymore - so I’m really glad I happened to see it). I’ve learned so much from fellow gardeners, and always bring something new home to add to my own garden for the year. It’s so fun seeing some of the perennials from last year’s swap coming back to life this year! I’ll be growing snapdragons for the first time this year thanks to Nichole of Wild Rose Flower Co. (who brought snapdragon seedlings to the swap).

ORIGAMI SEED PACKETS

I made origami seed packets to share some from my collection (and labeled them with some cute little doodles). Last year, I had just brought containers of loose seeds - so this seemed like a way more efficient way to give them away. I reused paper from paper bags I had saved, but you can use any paper you want or have! Maybe a great way to repurpose junk mail? The best part: no glue or tape necessary!

I’ve started exchanging seeds with a couple friends (through mail) in the last couple years - and think I might start packaging up future seeds to send this way too. 🥰 I’m really excited to be growing calendula for the first time thanks to seeds my friend Rebecca collected from her own garden and sent me!

“To plant a garden, is to believe in tomorrow.” - Audrey Hepburn

As I write this, tomorrow is May 1st, and my garden for the year is in a complete state of upheaval (not ideal). I have written before about gardening and the life lessons one can glean from having your own garden. One of those lessons being - not everything is in your control.

I’ve had this lingering waterline / sewer project hanging over my head that I tried to spearhead in February as soon as the ground thawed. The project was supposed to take place in late March or early April - and due to circumstances I can’t control… it’s still not done (or even started). I’m really hoping for the best, choosing to believe there will be a garden this summer - but I’d be lying if I said I also wasn’t incredibly anxious about it all. Now is the time to be putting plants into the ground and letting them establish their roots before the heat of summer - and here I am, uprooting everything. Cue anxiety, but at least the dogs (specifically, Stewie) are having fun in the dirt pile and hollowed out raised beds. 😅

I’ve chosen to start the seeds through the unknown - choosing to try to believe. Fingers crossed there will be veggies and flowers in the coming months! 🤞 I also couldn’t stay away from the garden center (oops) - picking up the usual (eggplant and pepper starts) and also a new-to-me flower (gazanias).

I’ll end with a silly daffodil selfie, a page from my junk journal, and also some words I wrote (on a scrap from making the origami seed packets) that I feel like really encompasses the season. I hope your spring is off to a great start wherever you are! 🌸