Looks like spring, feels like spring, tastes like spring?

Lately we've been experiencing such warm, sunny, and gorgeous days but I won't declare that it's spring just yet in case it might jinx this great weather. The Proud Garden is back in growth mode, and the new season has begun. The daffodils are in full bloom, the perennials shooting straight up out of the ground, and the roses are beginning to put out tiny new leaves.

Bleeding Heart

My poor yuzu (left) did survive the winter but is currently looking a little stressed, so I started the fertilizing process. On the other hand, the kaffir lime (right) is doing great as it was kept indoors after purchasing it last October. I've already used some of the leaves in thai cooking.

This past weekend we attended an art and nature fair at Villa Corvini in Parabiago to see if there might be something worth adding to the garden. The fair had all kinds of potted plants, flowers, herbs, and both food and craft stands.

It was also interesting to find a vendor selling kokedama, the ornamental hanging plant with a moss-covered root ball. Prices were prohibitive, so this might be a project to look into. Moss grows fairly often in shaded areas in the yard, and I always rip it out. To think that all this time I could've put the moss to good use.

We came away with a couple of herbs: bergamot mint and vietnamese coriander. They both have an amazing smell when you ruffle the leaves. I'm not quite sure how to use the mint, but I'm looking forward to using the coriander in some asian dishes.

Vietnamese coriander

Last but not least, Mister B the daffodil eater. I was trying to snap a photo of him sniffing the flower, but he had it in his head to take the bloom in his mouth. That dog will taste anything!