May Happenings

Photos: 1. The fuzzy yellow catkins that covered the mesquite trees are now giving way to green pods. When they turn brown, they will be sweeter than sugar.  2. The smoky lavender blossoms of the ironwood trees, our hardiest endemic tree, is now sporting fat green pods. As soon as they're beige or tan, they are ripe. At first they taste like a fresh pea, then as they mature they taste more like peanuts or pistachios. 3.  Queen butterflies are laying their eggs on the desert milkweed. Haven't seen any monarchs yet.  4.  Palo verde tree beans are ripe by the tens of thousands in our area. Pick them before they get too starchy and lose their sweetness! 5.  Our garden is located across the playground from the farmer's market, held every Sunday morning.  6.  Om is a good sport as I give him Vulcan ears with his okra fruits!