Author Archives: Mulysa

About Mulysa

Mulysa Melco is an artist and landscape designer in Portland, Oregon. She hikes, photographs plants, gardens, draws plants, bakes, cooks (plants - she's a vegetarian), reads about plants, relationships (between plants, between people, etc.), and studies Permaculture.

Rhubarb Custard Tart

Here is a recipe I adapted from an old friend’s mom in Wisconsin. It’s a rich dessert that is easy to make and is a perfect way to herald the start of rhubarb season. Makes one 9-inch tart. Crust 3/4 … Continue reading

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Rowan

Sorbus spp. ROSACEAE, The Rose family Mountain Ash Wonderful rowan. My favorite of these pretty, rugged trees is the Sitka mountain ash, which grows at high elevations. This resilient species is sometimes found in the form of a shrub or … Continue reading

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Spring arrived yesterday morning

It is two weeks till the vernal equinox, but the slow creep of warmth and growth that begins after the holidays here has blossomed into, well, blossoms. Yesterday was the first day the sun felt warm and today was the … Continue reading

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Sprout Poem

Birth By the waxing moon they swell tidal forces pulse sap upwards an ancient draw   They work all night freeing themselves from their close sac from earth from darkness   Inch by inch, creating selves tiny radicles grasp damp seed … Continue reading

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Spring Things

Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here Here comes the sun Here comes the sun, and I say It’s all right – George Harrison ‘Here Comes the Sun’ … Continue reading

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The Year

As the year draws to a close I’ve been looking back at year three in the garden. It was epic in a few ways and very challenging in others. Here is a random list of reflections. Established perennials and shrubs … Continue reading

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Autumn Harvest

  It’s time to pull out the mildewy squash vines and sprawling pepper plants and make way for cover crops. I’m still planting winter veggies from seed too – under cloches. 

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Concord Grapes

Autumn bounty continues at a pace that’s hard to keep up with. I helped a friend harvest grapes last week and made about 2 gallons of juice for jelly-making and freezing for later.        

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Preserving Marathon

It’s time to save seeds and harvest almost daily. My dear neighbor Alice and I rounded up all our wayward cukes and various zucchini for a pickling night. We started off by taking care of some fruit that needed attention: … Continue reading

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Mouse Melons

For the first time I am finally growing these cute little curcurbits. My friends Hannah introduced me to them years ago. They are also called Mexican Sour Gherkins and indeed are a very miniature cucumber. The stripes make them look … Continue reading

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