March is the time of beginnings and endings in the edible garden. The navel oranges are dropping from the tree as the new growth begins. Orange blossoms will soon fill the backyard with their fragrance. 

About this time I realize I haven’t made orange marmalade yet or I haven’t made as much as I had hoped. Last week I spent a day making 23 jars of the jam recipe that my mother and grandmother used with their citrus. Both were known for their jams. 

The broccoli side shoots are smaller now and I’ve removed some of the plants that the aphids colonized. It would take an army of beneficial insects to dispatch this infestation. But this happens most every year as the weather warms and the winter garden wanes. It makes it easier to move on to the summer garden.

The celery crop is the best ever, likely because of the abundant rain, cool temperatures and the rich soil. It is still crisp and with no hint of bitterness. That will change in a few weeks though we have rain and cool temps in the forecast for this week.

While the winter garden is still producing I love to share garden gifts.These I gathered when my son, Andy stopped by after work. 

The garden lettuce is bolting and I’ve had to compost some of the heads. I have a reasonable tolerance to bitter, perhaps owing to my love of arugula. I continue to make salads with lots of additions to distract my taste buds.

And new from the garden this week are ‘Bountiful Blue’ blueberries. The potted bush on our patio benefited from the winter rains and it is laden with blueberries. Our dog, Lucy occasionally nibbles at the low hanging fruit. There’s enough to share.

Purple flowers were the theme in the garden this week with plants that do well in my Mediterranean climate garden: cerinthe, Spanish bluebells, scabiosa, larkspur and babiana. It’s spring!

To see what other garden bloggers are harvesting head over to Harvest Monday, hosted by Our Happy Acres.