Your description of hawthorn is superbly observed and entertaining. Wish I’d read the asparagus tart recipe before I cooked last evening, my invented recipe was considerably less elegant. Wishing you a happy time at Malvern Spring Festival these next few days.
Oh, Mark! What a gorgeous read. I always feel spring blossom should be scented, even going in for a sniff to the apple and pear flowers despite knowing the outcome. The tart is the work of an artist. Your descriptions are so delicious, your life so abundant and for your beautiful words we too owe a debt to those mulberry trees!
I’m starting to wonder if I love hawthorn a little bit more for being ‘almost’ rather than completely lovely…that it looks so good, brightens up the room as well as the hedge, yet honks so bad!
What a wonderful post to read early on a sunny morning. I wish mulberries were for sale commonly here in the UK, they are so hard to find. In Safranbolu, Turkey, someone once told me that the trees are a pain as the fallen fruit attracts a lot of flies! That has always stayed with me because… I wish.
Love the seasonality woven into this piece ! Never seen that variety of mulberry- are they as delicious as our coveted white variety? (Gobbled immediately on sight)
Ah, well there is a thing. There are white, red and black mulberries, all of which can have fruit of a different colour to their name, and can be anything from delicious to a little bland. The best of white, red and black varieties (and their hybrids) are delicious, and Pakistan is definitely up there with the best
This spring I planted my first garden - mostly thanks to my amazing neighbour who rototilled and laid it out for me. Nothing elaborate. Parsley. Tomatoes. Squash. Potatoes. Basil (that did not go well - transplanted too early) Peppers of varying heat. And Cilantro. I have taken to sitting in my garden in the shadows of evening light, watching it grow. Unbeknownst to you, your words have inspired my foray into gardening. Just as they often inspire what I cook - for a dinner party tomorrow night, I'm either making your asparagus pie, or, your amazing White Gazpacho -- the market tomorrow morning will seal the deal depending upon what's in the vendor stalls! Since stumbling upon your feed several months ago, I have been enchanted by your writing, photos and recipes. And, now, I am also enchanted by my garden - thanks to my amazing neighbour, and you!
What a lovely thing to read on this sunny afternoon in southwest England, thank you. It’s very good to make a connection from another part of the world via written words and more directly here
That it is! When I asked my husband which he’d prefer for our dinner party this evening (it’s rainy and drizzly here on the westcoast of Canada - (desperately need the moisture) he very quickly responded, Asparagus and Tarragon Tart. I’ll report back! :)
This tart is on repeat in my kitchen. So, easy, so delicious! And not claggy with over-much pastry. Once asparagus season comes to an end I will swap in some heirloom tomatoes. Also, thanks for the tip …I harvested some sweet cicely seeds for a delicious, aniseedy (but-not-too-much flavour and fragrance). Yum yum!
Thank you for your lovely spring visitation from faraway autumnal New Zealand.
It is planting time here, which gives another dimension to reading about the joys of spring: I can plant now in preparation for similar delight when spring rolls around in a few months’ time. I have resolved to get a Bramley apple, a hawthorn (which I’ve always loved but never actually grown), and a mulberry. I did plant a mulberry the year before last, but this summer I came back from time away to find it almost dead - four out of five shoots were leafless and brown. Mercifully, it pulled through but I probably need a backup as insurance. I am so keen to try a mulberry!
Another mulberry tree, however many you already have, is always a good idea! Despite the weather being glorious here, I’m envious of you being able to look forward to the start of spring, which I know is ridiculous
Mark, I love your writing. I also have your book A Taste of the Unexpected. I am not sure if I got the idea from you but I'm growing Musk Strawberry. If you have ever grown this please can you tell me if it should be moist and shady or in the sun. Internet says both! I have only one flower on the plants in a pot at home whereas at my allotment my more ordinary strawberries are covered in flowers. I'm going wrong somewhere and I'm desperate to try a musk strawberry this year!
Hi Liz, thank you very much. Musk strawberries…I grew them in fairly sunny conditions and they thrived. In containers, water often and liquid feed at least once a week to keep up the nutrient levels
We had a tree in our garden in my early childhood, peaches and pomegranates too, that was before the shift north to the tropics.
The day we buried my mother was the worst day, she died on the first day of spring. So there was a fresh hope in the breeze, which is inconceivable at such a sad moment.
After the formality I walked with my young nephew and niece away from the gathered mourners to get away from it all. We found three mulberry bushes, just coming in to fruit. We would go back every Sunday, as the children thought that’s where Nana was, and we’d collect bowls of mulberries. We’d all go home, I’d strip the children down to their undies, and we’d pick the tiny stems off the berries then make a pie.
Your description of hawthorn is superbly observed and entertaining. Wish I’d read the asparagus tart recipe before I cooked last evening, my invented recipe was considerably less elegant. Wishing you a happy time at Malvern Spring Festival these next few days.
And thank you, I love the Malvern Spring and Autumn shows
I agree! Right on point!
Thank you both!
The most gorgeous letter I’ve read all week 🥰 thank you for sharing! Xx
Thank you so much Catherine!
Mark I’m going to make that tart this weekend. Thank you. I love the idea of the Bubby Tree. I have plenty of moobage to try it out for you.
Ha ha, JP you are the best/worst/best!
🤣🥰
Oh, Mark! What a gorgeous read. I always feel spring blossom should be scented, even going in for a sniff to the apple and pear flowers despite knowing the outcome. The tart is the work of an artist. Your descriptions are so delicious, your life so abundant and for your beautiful words we too owe a debt to those mulberry trees!
Thank you for sharing.
Frances
Thank you Frances. It’s been a long, tiring but very pleasant day amd your warm words are very welcome
Beautiful pics - just glorious! Great info, of course - such a pleasure. Can I please move in?
You are always always welcome Elisabeth!
Thank you for the wander around your garden, just dreamy.
Thank you Helen, lovely to have your company
That tart sounds so good. I adore hawthorn and I so wish it smelt better. It looks so beautiful in a vase and lasts well too, but it really whiffs!
I’m starting to wonder if I love hawthorn a little bit more for being ‘almost’ rather than completely lovely…that it looks so good, brightens up the room as well as the hedge, yet honks so bad!
What a wonderful post to read early on a sunny morning. I wish mulberries were for sale commonly here in the UK, they are so hard to find. In Safranbolu, Turkey, someone once told me that the trees are a pain as the fallen fruit attracts a lot of flies! That has always stayed with me because… I wish.
The solution for anyone who finds them a pain is to sit under the tree and catch every falling fruit in their mouth, surely. And thank you
Love the seasonality woven into this piece ! Never seen that variety of mulberry- are they as delicious as our coveted white variety? (Gobbled immediately on sight)
Ah, well there is a thing. There are white, red and black mulberries, all of which can have fruit of a different colour to their name, and can be anything from delicious to a little bland. The best of white, red and black varieties (and their hybrids) are delicious, and Pakistan is definitely up there with the best
This spring I planted my first garden - mostly thanks to my amazing neighbour who rototilled and laid it out for me. Nothing elaborate. Parsley. Tomatoes. Squash. Potatoes. Basil (that did not go well - transplanted too early) Peppers of varying heat. And Cilantro. I have taken to sitting in my garden in the shadows of evening light, watching it grow. Unbeknownst to you, your words have inspired my foray into gardening. Just as they often inspire what I cook - for a dinner party tomorrow night, I'm either making your asparagus pie, or, your amazing White Gazpacho -- the market tomorrow morning will seal the deal depending upon what's in the vendor stalls! Since stumbling upon your feed several months ago, I have been enchanted by your writing, photos and recipes. And, now, I am also enchanted by my garden - thanks to my amazing neighbour, and you!
What a lovely thing to read on this sunny afternoon in southwest England, thank you. It’s very good to make a connection from another part of the world via written words and more directly here
That it is! When I asked my husband which he’d prefer for our dinner party this evening (it’s rainy and drizzly here on the westcoast of Canada - (desperately need the moisture) he very quickly responded, Asparagus and Tarragon Tart. I’ll report back! :)
This tart is on repeat in my kitchen. So, easy, so delicious! And not claggy with over-much pastry. Once asparagus season comes to an end I will swap in some heirloom tomatoes. Also, thanks for the tip …I harvested some sweet cicely seeds for a delicious, aniseedy (but-not-too-much flavour and fragrance). Yum yum!
Thank you so much Patricia - I’m delighted to hear you are enjoying it
Lovely, biding my time to pounce on Elderflower this week for cordial.
I hope you get a sunny day for it
I did. And now it’s all gone. On to Lime tree flower juice!
Thank you for your lovely spring visitation from faraway autumnal New Zealand.
It is planting time here, which gives another dimension to reading about the joys of spring: I can plant now in preparation for similar delight when spring rolls around in a few months’ time. I have resolved to get a Bramley apple, a hawthorn (which I’ve always loved but never actually grown), and a mulberry. I did plant a mulberry the year before last, but this summer I came back from time away to find it almost dead - four out of five shoots were leafless and brown. Mercifully, it pulled through but I probably need a backup as insurance. I am so keen to try a mulberry!
Another mulberry tree, however many you already have, is always a good idea! Despite the weather being glorious here, I’m envious of you being able to look forward to the start of spring, which I know is ridiculous
Mark, I love your writing. I also have your book A Taste of the Unexpected. I am not sure if I got the idea from you but I'm growing Musk Strawberry. If you have ever grown this please can you tell me if it should be moist and shady or in the sun. Internet says both! I have only one flower on the plants in a pot at home whereas at my allotment my more ordinary strawberries are covered in flowers. I'm going wrong somewhere and I'm desperate to try a musk strawberry this year!
Hi Liz, thank you very much. Musk strawberries…I grew them in fairly sunny conditions and they thrived. In containers, water often and liquid feed at least once a week to keep up the nutrient levels
So it all started with mulberries!
We had a tree in our garden in my early childhood, peaches and pomegranates too, that was before the shift north to the tropics.
The day we buried my mother was the worst day, she died on the first day of spring. So there was a fresh hope in the breeze, which is inconceivable at such a sad moment.
After the formality I walked with my young nephew and niece away from the gathered mourners to get away from it all. We found three mulberry bushes, just coming in to fruit. We would go back every Sunday, as the children thought that’s where Nana was, and we’d collect bowls of mulberries. We’d all go home, I’d strip the children down to their undies, and we’d pick the tiny stems off the berries then make a pie.
What a beautiful story Lisa, thank you so much for sharing it. I’ve never had a mulberry pie but will put that right in a few nights
I planted a mulberry in 2017 and am yet to see any berries but live in hope.
It’s got to give you fruit one of these days surely!