Striped Snail

Roaming in the back of the garden, not the typical brown shelled oozer. I think it is a Cepaea nemoralis.

Garden pic

The current state of the back garden as of May 24, 2010. Last year we hadn't even started yet. And the hops have sprouted. Today I planted morning glory seeds after work. They soaked for about 20 hours beforehand, which may have been overkill.

Brownstone Hops Farming

A couple Golding hop rhizomes.I planted them in the sunniest part of the back yard and improvised a twine course for the vines to climb once they emerge.

Upstate Ramps

These ramps, collected in Roscoe, New York, were being sold at the Union Square green market a couple weeks ago. I've been wanting to try them for the last couple years.I opted to saute them in some olive oil, bulbs first, then then tops. The green part cooks like spinach. After salt and pepper, I ate them as a side with macaroni and cheese. They were good but they leave you smelling worse than onions.