Season Generously

September always seems like a collision of seasons. Winter bumps full on into spring, and there's an explosion of great things to eat in the garden and the farmers' market. All this seasonal generosity gets me inspired in the kitchen, and in the past couple of years, it also inspired a bit of a blogging frenzy. But this year I keep thinking, "I can't post about the first radishes (or rhubarb, or beets, or asparagus.) I did that last year. And the year before."

This is post number 223. It's half way through year three growing food in this garden, just past year two for the blog. And it's all settled into a gentle rhythm that I sometimes mistake for a rut.

I really don't like feeling in a rut. I can usually garden or cook myself out of one, but I've crawled out of this one by giving myself some quality time in the shed, reading some of my old blog posts, checking Google Analytics, and enjoying the encouraging comments from readers. That prodded me to download the photos going stale in my camera, and write this post. It's not a new season premier. Rather a re-run of old favourites, some of which Google tells me have never been read by anyone but me! 

I sprinkled radish seeds around back in June or July, and they're their usual enthusiastic selves. Quick to germinate, unbothered by cold, rain, wind and slugs, and so so peppery and crunchy. I thought it was cute how they look like tiny red eggplants when you slice them down the middle. Radishes first appeared on this blog in November 2010, cast in The Radical Radish post.

My own rhubarb is still tiny, but the market stalls have all got gorgeous big bunches for sale for $2. Pair them up with some sugar and oranges for the life-changing roasted Ruby Rhubarb, featured back in September 2010.

While we're talking rubies and roasting, Ruby Beets are in season again, and delighting us with their earthy, sweet, rubiness since November 2010.

Hello asparagus! I broke my personal rule and bought asparagus before it got cheaper than $15 a kilo. But it was so worth it, grilled on the barbie with a lamb loin chop and lemon roasted potatoes... more on that meal coming up.

OK, the re-plays are over. This is a new season premier. This is the fruit I just picked from the not-a-lemon tree. Turns out the Meyer's lemon tree that's been so shy, retiring, and reluctant to fruit is actually an orange tree. I've grown my first ever orange. Wow. All that coddling and fussing over the past two years has paid off.

Over roasted rhubarb, with pear and ginger Bliss yogurt from Cyclops, it was one of those priceless moments.

Now I've got a difficult decision to make. Do I leave a reluctant orange tree that has produced two oranges in two years in its primo place up the top terrace? Or do I replace it with a lemon tree that will likely be way more productive and happy?

Hmm. I guess we'll find out in Season 2.