A young linden -- "an incontestable symbol of resurrection."
Jean Giono
It's probably not right to have one favorite tree in a garden -- you know, because the others might become jealous. But it's hard for me not to love a young linden that I planted five years ago. I favor this tree because it represents a long-awaited renewal in my life.
The above quote from Jean Giono's The Man Who Planted Trees has been with me for many years. So, when our house was finally completed, I set out several linden trees near our new home to honor this rebirth. I planted a few silver-leaf lindens, which I thought would thrive here, and for a lark, I planted one broadleaf linden, a Tilia platyphyllos. And to confirm that I really don't know anything about the nature of plants, the silver-leaf lindens are barely holding on while the broadleaf linden is thriving. It was supposed to be the other way around.
The blooms on the broadleaf linden are incredibly beautiful and fragrant. It makes my day to pick peaches and figs, and then eat them under the small canopy of this young tree. The gift of fruit and fragrance, combined with the sound of wind rustling the firm deep-green leaves, reminds me that there is a loving presence that surrounds us all. How can it be otherwise?
October 1, 2009
A Broadleaf Linden in Southern California
Silver Bell Winter Squash
Silver Bells are one of my favorite c. maxima squash. They seem really heavy for their size (weighing from 3 to 6 pounds), and I think they're just beautiful. Silver Bells are perfectly suited for baking whole, and can be cleaned, baked, and processed just like a small pumpkin. I can't imagine why this variety isn't much more common.
I direct-seeded the Silver Bells on June 5th, and harvested them from early to mid September. It's definitely a vining squash, but not as vigorous as many other c. maximas I grew this year. I sib-pollinated the fruits, keeping one fruit per vine.
The cooked and pureed silver bells were about 9 Brix -- which is pretty sweet for a squash. I made a few great pies from these!
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