Yesterday I had a hunch that there could be some early signs of it, if only I could find the right location. I ended up on hands and knees, peering through my strongest glasses and brushing away debris and leaves which cloak the woodland floor.
By now my nose was almost touching the ground, but Yes! I had found some tiny bits of it, scarcely half an inch long, but by carefully breaking a tiny piece off one, and crushing it between my fingers, I could easily detect that wonderful garlicky smell.
It is tiny, but active. It won't take much more than a few weeks for it to come through and then I'll be baking wild garlic scones, wild garlic bread (much nicer than 'garlic bread'), quiches, pesto... the possibilities are endless.
The flowers are very attractive, as well as edible. For a few weeks the woodland floor will look like this.
It is a true seasonal delight. I carefully replaced the covering of leaves and will leave it to grow, for now.
I also found one violet, tucked away and hidden. It helps that I know where to look, or I would never have seen that pretty little flower.
You got me at WILD garlic bread! Yummy.
ReplyDeleteHello SAS, I'll post the recipe. It is truly yummy and if there is any left over for toast... Enough! I am salivating already.
DeleteIt doesn't grow many places in Suffolk - too dry I think, but recently Brother in law told me there is some in a wood that they clear in the spring - so I'm hopeful that at last I'll get to use some
ReplyDeleteHello Sue, I do hope you manage to get your hands on some, it really perks up baking and cooking.
DeleteI was lucky because a friend got us started off, we transplanted just a few tiny clumps and they have spread quite nicely over the last few years and cloak the woodland floor beautifully, before they get swallowed up by the froth of cow parsley.
I grow garlic in the garden....but wild garlic, is that something different again?
ReplyDeleteWe use the fresh garlic like spring onions/shallots. Also have garlic chives but never know what to do with that. Rougher than real chives
A wonderful wood?
Hello Linda, Wild garlic is much milder in taste, the bulb, leaves and flowers are all edible. I'll post lots of photographs and recipes when it is ready to harvest.
DeleteOur little patch of woodland is just that, very small as woodlands go, but it is filled with magic and delight and we love it as much as the grandchildren do.
Hello Elaine, I've been away from the computer for a while and it was so lovely to have a visit from you :)
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of wild garlic!! Try as I might I have not been able to track any down at local garden centres as I would so love some in my garden. Maybe I should venture into some wild woods with a bucket and spade!!
Have a wonderful new week :)
Hello Prunella, If only you could pop over here in that hot air balloon, a little later in the year, I could let you have some of ours to get you started. It is lovely having you back in the world of blog, you have been missed!
DeleteThe scent is wonderful, but I've never tried cooking with it. It grows wild in damp Devon where I live!
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
Hello Margaret, It is a lovely ingredient, much milder than the other type of garlic. Just as with asparagus, strawberries and samphire, it is a much anticipated seasonal treat. Devon sounds like an even more wonderful place to live - breathtaking views, scrumptious cream teas, and lots of wild garlic!
DeleteOwl Wood... With so many delightful hidden treasures!
ReplyDeleteOh I am so happy, to have found your blog!!!!
Luna Crone
Hello Luna, It is lovely to meet you, too. That little patch of woodland, Owl Wood, is a magical place. It provides our logs for burning and plenty of room for fun and games with the grandchildren, our hens normally free-range there, wild pheasants and the occasional deer call by, and one year we had a brood of owlets hatched and fledged in the owl box!
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