seeds

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis L.)

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The Eastern Redbud tree is part of the Fabaceae family.  That’s the pea family.

The Redbud tree is beneficial for a number of reasons.  It is very hearty in the lower plains and eastern portions of the United States and grows wild as well as domestically.

The tree is very distinct because it has the red/fuchsia flowers that bloom in the early spring.  Generally around April here in zone 7.

Beneficial:

The flowers of the tree attract beneficial bugs such as hummingbirds and bees.  In our tree we also have praying mantis egg sacs.

Edible:

Flowers: can be eaten raw or fried; although, the base of the flower is bitter, so it’s best to pinch it off and eat the petals.  The flowers have a slightly sweet taste.  The flowers contain anthocyanins which create the purplish color.

Leaves: can be eaten raw or cooked.  Taste like pea pods and are substituted when pea pods are not directly available.

Seed pods: the seed pods develop in the late summer to early fall.  The immature pods are flat and green and can be harvested.  The pods contain condensed tannins (proanthocyanidin) and essential fatty acids (linolenic, alpha-linolenic, oleic and palmitic acids).

Newly formed branches:  can be cut off and used to smoke wild game.

Medicinal:

The branches of the tree are said to be treatments for whooping cough and dysentery.

The roots and inner bark can be used for the treatment of congestion, fevers and vomiting.

References:
Redbud Analysis
Redbud Fact Sheet USDA

Winter 2017 Indoor Soil Garden, Day 19

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So, Awesome things have been brewing in the indoor garden!  Here are my update pictures:

Each of the potters have grown so much.  Unfortunately, I am still waiting for my lavender to sprout, but it will soon, I am sure.

The white powder on the top of the potters is diatomaceous earth to keep away the gnats that were in the tent.

 

The left side is yellow onion, the right side is red onion:

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Grand Rapids Lettuce on the left, Radishes on the Right:WIN_20170331_17_04_39_Pro

Raab Broccoli on the left, Black Opal Basil on the right:WIN_20170331_17_05_16_Pro

Buttercrunch lettuce:WIN_20170331_17_04_25_Pro

Turnip on the left, Kohlrabi on the right:

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Beets on the left, Carrots on the right:

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The Navel Orange has been accruing new growth.

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It dropped some of it’s flowers and some of the fruit, but it’s supposed to drop what it does not feel is healthy to flourish.

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There are still over a dozen oranges left on the tree.

WIN_20170331_17_04_13_ProThe potato bucket has flourished!  All of the sproutlets have developed very nicely.  In a few days I will cover the spoutlets with more soil and wait for them to continue to grow.  As the potatoes grow vertically, they will put out more potatoes in the bottom of the bucket horizontally.  Within about a month, there will be potatoes to pick and harvest from the bottom of the bucket where I cut the holes.

SPRING IS COMING!

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It’s that time of year again!  Time to prep for the outdoor garden.  Our seedlings need to get in the planter so that they can germinate for the upcoming season.

This is this year’s line-up:

Phase 1:

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Phase 2:

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There are still a few other things that still need to be planted but, this is the bulk of the garden and will be the starter of the garden in a few weeks.