Means of Potato

A harvest of new potatoes from the vegetable garden--new potatoes sounds so much better than middle-age potatoes, doesn't it?

Yesterday we did more tidying up for the tea party on Sunday. We had an extra helper today, the Balcony Gardener. Under a thicket of tansy, bindweed and thistle we discovered some beautiful piles of willow branches. Nettle Lady was immediately inspired so we all collaborated to create an ephemeral installation under the cedar.


Sharon devised a herringbone pattern to begin with.




I can't believe it's late enough in summer for the echinacea to be blooming. With the late start in the spring our summer seems so short.

Bees love these mint blossoms. We will use some leaves to make tea on Sunday. I also received a cup of Oregon grapes to experiment with. I found recipes for jelly combining oregon grapes with salal berries or crab apples. I don't think the crab apples are ripe yet. I think for Sunday I will boil them with water like I do currants, put them in the moule and make an oregon grape syrup I can make into refreshing spot of iced tea. Rawther! Apparently it's the root of this mahonia that is used to make medicinal teas, but hey, maybe the Vancouver mixologists will start using native berry syrups in their cocktails. Like, we could start a trend. Must bring gin to tea party. (Just kidding.)

As you can see from the photos last week the phacelia is already going to seed. I gathered some of the tiny seeds for Sunday's seed balls. The stems are quite prickly. I love the sensuous ritual of gathering seeds. It's an obsession of mine. I'm a bit of a gleaner, I am.

Good-bye artichoke. Hello parsnip? Is it time for winter gardening already? (Choked sob.)

I am very excited about the tea party. Hopefully the flying monkeys won't poop all over the garden. Please come!

Sunday, July 27 3-5pm
Artist's Potluck Garden Tea Party
With your hosts: Sharon Kallis and Lori Weidenhammer Bring your own tea cup, napkin, perhaps finger food to share, join us in making seed balls and don't forget your garden party hat.

At: Means of Production Garden (MOP), in the North West corner of North China Creek Park, at the corner of St. Catherines Street and East 6th Avenue. Wear good walking shoes, as the ground is uneven, and children will need to be supervised due to steep hilly nature of the garden MOP is managed by the Environmental Youth Alliance and has a mandate to provide urban artists who use natural materials in their artwork with a place to learn about, grow and harvest the materials we require.

Sound installation by the Legion Of Flying Monkeys Horn Orchestra!
Mark your calendars for future tea party dates, August 24, September 7. For tea party visit www.EYA.ca