It’s time to take a fresh look at climate change in your area, and how technology can provide you with some possibilities you might never have thought of.
Almost three years ago I started to get fed up with the regular summer drought we experience here on the Sunshine Coast of BC, Canada. It was a never ending battle to keep those garden veggies watered and fed. At the same time, I love home grown vegetables, so there didn’t seem an alternative that wouldn't be a struggle, considering the water restrictions. |
So, I thought, what if it was possible to grow a really sought after and pricey crop that didn’t need any water during the summer? Buying the beautiful veggies and fruit from the market? But still managing a cash crop?
I started thinking about saffron plants imagining them filling my raised garden beds. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, and is referred to as red gold for that reason.
Going potty with pots
Learning to pick them, then separate the precious three bright red stigmas that are the saffron, and dry them was interesting. Although it is a crocus, it is the only edible one, and in fact other similar plants in the crocus family can be deadly, so it’s a good idea to get your corms from a reputable specialist grower. There’s a lot to learn about saffron Sativus.
Since then I’ve become a specialist saffron grower!
The pots evolved into more pots, then the saffron corms finally transitioned (took over!) the raised beds.
It seems incredible, but next year, in the summer when the bulbs/ corms become dormant for months in the ground, I will actually have some of my own top quality corms for sale.
A rough calculation tells me I must have around 5.5 thousand saffron plants at this time, through restocking and their rapid annual division. I am in the middle of the annual harvest now, with older plants giving up to 7 flowers for these few weeks in October to November. It's intensive. Every day they must be picked and processed. I love it!
Start growing a passion!
A little saffron goes a long way. You can calculate about three threads per person for a meal.
There are so many ways to incorporate healthy saffron into your food and drink. The information I’m giving you today is hopelessly abbreviated, because the topics arising from saffron are quite vast.
If you want to try your hand at growing a few bulbs/corms, here are their requirements:
- Well drained soil
- Depth of 6-8” to plant the corms
- Small amount of organic fertilizer
- Sunny spot. Saffron loves sun.
- No moisture from when leaves die back and the plant goes dormant, to about mid September here in North America.
- Regular weeding. I mulch, so that helps a lot.
- Daily flower picking for about 4 weeks.
That’s it!
Super saffron cookies
YOU NEED:
1/4 tsp saffron threads
2 tsp hot water
1/2 cup butter (or coconut oil)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup plus 2 Tbs sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup golden raisins
1 plus 1/4 cup all purpose flour
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Use parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
This recipe makes approximately 36 cookies
If you've any thoughts you'd like to add to this content, please leave a comment. Your interest and interaction are always appreciated and encouraged.
Vicki