a report on early spring, and win deborah madison's massive new cookbook       

I know -- I'm late with this edition! I've been prepping for Saturday's open garden, plant sale, and lecture by my friend Lee Reich. If you're nearby, do join us -- rain or shine. (Visiting details.) 

The big old apples are about to pop, and many new things are waking up daily, plus with the cool weather, earlybirds like the hellebores remain in bloom, not something usually still "out" when I have visitors.

Now on to new stories (and back to weeding for me):

it's the little things: a look at early spring

I keep wanting to gripe: Spring is "so late," and the weather "isn't cooperating," I say, as if it's all meant to be in service to me, and is behaving disobediently. (How arrogant!) Though frustrating, the quieter pace has also been fruitful, full of little discoveries -- even while the big, bawdy stuff is waiting quietly in the wings. Things like the hottest peony ever ('Golden Angel,' in foliage, up top) and my first encounter with Metasequoia cones, just above (yes: my trees had s-e-x!). The story. 

quick stocks and more, plus a big book giveaway

With months of garden harvests and farm markets ahead and her book "The New Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone" recently out, I rang up Deborah Madison from her New Mexico garden to talk fresh food ideas. Share in her wisdom about the goal of mastering just a few dishes; about learning to cook in a nonlinear fashion; or on making quick stocks -- including from your bean-cooking water! -- and maybe win a copy of this massively delicious volume.

miss it last time?  

• The May garden chores: my to-do's for the month ahead.