The first shoots of wild garlic

The first shoots of wild garlic have appeared and, while they are not large enough to pick, I am already dreaming of them in soups, dals, pesto and fritters/pakoras. I imagine they would be equally delicious dipped in a light tempura batter and quickly fried before being used to garnish a soup. The young leaves work well in a pungent spring salad. Perfect for warding off colds and flus. Instead of putting the in the salad blend them up with olive oil and lemon juice instead of normal garlic for a bright green vibrant immune boosting dressing. I'm longing for that first harvest.

The garden too is showing signs of life. The patches of earth I have dug over are now sprouting 'weeds'. These plants seem to  have the strongest life force and are the most determined to stake their claims on my garden. They all have their place, or so I tell myself on my lazy garden days when they have all gone to seed. The welsh poppies are visited by bees and the shepherds purse feeds the birds. The horsetail, invading from my neighbours garden, feeds nothing but can thankfully be used in so many herbal preparations it makes it's presence here less irksome. While weeding can become a never ending chore I remind myself to  be thankful as they are a bountiful harvest in themselves.