The spring breeze gently awakens new life around us. The snow now melted into pools of water exposes the winter gravel that once helped keep the icy roads in check. The brown grass, under the spring sun will long awaited turn to green and the black soil will warm. But in Calgary, a snowfall in April even May will turn us back to winter thoughts and remind us that we are disciplined gardeners who do not put plants permanently outside until after the May long weekend.
As we wait to start our gardens, let us celebrate the international days of the carrot festival and the dandelion on April 5. Not the most known days to celebrate, but why not? These two plants were known to us as children. Remember the dandelion flower bouquet for mom that seemed to droop before mom had a chance to put it in water or blowing away the seeds of the dandelion not knowing where the wind would take them? This spring before we get out our spray and tools, to get rid of those yellow weeds or pick the greens to add to a salad, let’s take a moment to remember the good times we had with this flower in our youth.
The carrot. The vegetable with its flowing green stems and orange roots. The carrot seed is so small that it is a wonder that it can produce a colourful root vegetable. The small delicate fern leaves push out of the ground and thrive and grow so they can be harvested to be roasted, boiled, baked, sweetened, or buttered. The carrot is a cuisine staple. A fresh picked carrot with its hint of dirt and garden hose water can never be refused.
Yes, these two plants do need a day to be celebrated. It is sometimes the simple things in life that give us so much joy as a child but are forgotten in our busy adult lives. So, on April 5, let’s raise our glass and celebrate the carrot and the dandelion.
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