28 - Sunday, March 8, 1998 - North Shore News Spring 1998 In The Garden With the heady scent of spring already in the air, gardeners are being bitten by the early gardening bug. Bulbs and shrubs are in bloom, egging on the over-eager. There are many things you can be doing in the garden ar this time. So here are a few suggestions to help you ward off the tempta- tion to plant too early. * Pull back mulches from the plants (and compost them) to let the soil warm up. * Dig in finished compost. * Deadhead and feed spring bulbs as they finish blooming. ¢ Plane summer bulbs like filies, montbretia and gladioli. * Lift and divide perennials. * Try sowing peas, spinach and some of the greens and mustards around mid-month. By the end of the month, lettuce can be directly sown. * For flower lovers, some of the hardier perennials and annuals like sweet peas, delphiniums, columbines and pansies can be sown. * Move over-wintered plants like geraniums and fuchsias to a brighter win- dow to encourage new growth. Begin to fertilize regularly. . wines Scr eee ea “Unelis (Shared) plants evs cvailable with « green or penple lec, and eve a favourive for this time of year”, says May Choo, owner of Flowers by May. * Take cuttings from the above plants as soon as the new shoots are 4 to G inches long, Roots sprout readily at this time of year. * Seed or sod new lawns and reseed patchy areas. * If you're not composting your garden and kitchon waste yet, then take advantage of the subsi- dized compost bins offered by North Shore Recycling (NSR); you can pick one up for $45 ac the Transfer Station. Call NSR at 984-9730 or the Compost Hotline 736-2250 for more informa- tion. ———________. “Healthy Sulbs, like healthy gardeners, are Jirm, unshriveled and Lookin’ Over the Three Leaf Clover As St. Patrick's Day approaches, the shamrock begins popping up in gardening stores. The ubiquitous shamrock has been considered a symbol of good tuck by the Irish since St. Patrick toamed the land; but the superstition surrounding the chree- leafed clover has spread beyond the Emerald hills to many cul- tures. But which is the real McCoy? The one Se. Patrick is purported to have used to symbolize the Christian Trinity may have been the woad sorrel (Oxalis acetosella); a popular culinary herb during the Elizabethan age. Bur the plant most commonly sold as the real shamrock is Trifolium repens, a type of white clover with tiny yellow flowers - the perfect plant for a sunny windowsill or a warm corner outside. The oxalis most commonly sold for St. Patrick's Day is O. regnellii, a beautiful lit- tle house plant which blooms profusely through spring and summer with dozens of little white flowers. If you do put this plant outside for the summer, make sure it’s a sunny spot. And ler it dry out, between thorough waterings. have no spots.” — Anonymous Shop Margitta’s Fresh Flowers and Flowers by May for Shamrocks and other spring plants and pick up a new gardening book or two from Amber 2 Bookshop. Details Fine Gifts, limago and Out of Africa carry imaginative pots, baskets and containers for your plants. JB PAGE Using the highest quolity, designer fobrics, Tulips outfits combine European styling with kid-tough durability. °. Tulips are Always s in Season When you walk through the door of Tulips you are hit with a dazzling array of colors. Bur bulbs and spring flowers are not this store's specia'ty. Tudips offers unique, casual and fashionable clothing for boys and girls. newborn to eight years. These colorful, durable B.C. made products are tailored for active children. Fabrics are mostly cotton and items include coats, pants, reversible jackets and vests, sweaters, sweatshirts, overalls and dresses - and every outfic shouts with joyful color and patterns. y Owner, Bahran Pouriliaee selected three rare finds fresh for the season. Ahoy mateys! It’s a white sailor suit and vest with colorful band finishes the look. And in Giraffe-wear, a romper in vibrant purple, green, pink, and gold. Shop Tudps for your own kids or for those perfect, extra special baby shower gifts! Cheese Please! Have you ever had trouble finding a certain European cheese for chat special recipe? Well, chances are you'd find it at the Market Place Del. They specialize in European products - and the unusuai is their business. Some of the rare finds trom Greece include Myzithna, made from sheep's milk; simply grate it onto salads and pastas instead of parmesan. Also from Greece, Kefalotyri and Kassieri - both are excellent for deep frying, From Italy, the lovely and mild Fontina, often hard to find, and delicious mixed with Gertrud Loverack, owner ofthe Morket Place Deli, ond staff offer a deticious asray of European cheeses, meats, sausages end specialty items. blue cheese in a romatoey polenta dish. Swirzerland brings to the table a Swiss raclette for the dish of the same name or the ultimate in Swiss cheeses, Appenzeller - for fondues or just plain eating, And trust the Scottish to create cheeses shaped like hearts and apples and oranges - real novelty for your cheese platter. OF course the Afarker Place Deli also carries a wonderfui line of European biscuits and breads to accompany trim for baby; matching | booties and cap are a must! For the young girls, a Ticlips dress. A bright apron dotred with flowers and beehives slips the cheeses. Guten appetit! SB A Green Bouquet “S Why wait for the full ripeness of summer to enjoy the gifts of the garden. Spring offers up a cor- nucopia of tender young greens packed with vitamins, minerals and flavours. Gather them up in your shopping basket, or snip the tender leaves from your garden and mix your own mesclun (mixed greens) salad. Greens include arugula, beet tops, mustard greens and dandelion leaves, to name just a few. Each adds a new experience to the traditional spring parade of fresh salad ingredients. Perk up your salad bow! this season by exploring the greens of spring. Romaines of the Day . Mild flavour and year long availabilicy, make this green a regular addition to salad bowls, However, this leaf has found its way into main courses around the globe. [n Asian cooking, romaine is a popular stir fry vegetable or its leaves are blanched and used as wraps, much like wonton skins. Russian and Scandinavian cooks use this lettuce in soups and stews when they want a milder flavour chan spinach or Swiss chard. Venture beyond the Caesar Salad and try something new with this lively green. Watercress World ‘This water-loving nymph is sometimes an herb and sometimes a green. Its distinctive flavour can be found in soups, salads, casseroles and quiches. Try lightly sautéeing chaaterelle or shi- itake mushrooms with red pepper slices, then serve on a bed of watercress drizzled with your favourite dressing. Ger your greens at Waterfront Produce, Quay Produce Centre and Ken's Produce. Shop the Pepper Por Food and Spice Company and the Market Place Deli for tasty dressing ingredients, BE