Elias Edible Empire

Elias Edible Empire Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Elias Edible Empire, Haverford, PA.

This winter’s California plant hospital and lettuce nursery. I found succulents in pots under the bushes and in the tras...
12/19/2019

This winter’s California plant hospital and lettuce nursery.

I found succulents in pots under the bushes and in the trash area of our apartment, and rescued nasturtiums that were going to be removed from another garden. They’re all together on the terrace enjoying sun, water and appreciation.

Since I’m not home with my greenhouse, and the temperatures here stay above freezing, I also started some lettuce plants. Seeds were at the grocery store. They’re growing in any plastic vessel - water bottles and produce containers - that crossed my path in the kitchen. When I leave in the spring, they’ll go into the recycling bin.

Today’s blueberry catch, (about a quart), since I’m only here once a week, and the birds are vigilant about taking their...
06/20/2019

Today’s blueberry catch, (about a quart), since I’m only here once a week, and the birds are vigilant about taking their share.

I will be having top-of-lettuce-tree salad for lunch.
06/13/2019

I will be having top-of-lettuce-tree salad for lunch.

What happens when you plant lettuce seedlings in April, and then ignore them until June 13th? You get lettuce trees!
06/13/2019

What happens when you plant lettuce seedlings in April, and then ignore them until June 13th? You get lettuce trees!

There are only one or two days per summer when we can beat the birds to the cherries. Looks like Bob got there today. I ...
06/12/2019

There are only one or two days per summer when we can beat the birds to the cherries. Looks like Bob got there today. I picked the blueberries, where the birds and chipmunks work together.

Today’s purple path to the back door.
05/11/2019

Today’s purple path to the back door.

May is more about how the garden smells than what it looks like. The lilac bush at the back door is in bloom today, and ...
05/11/2019

May is more about how the garden smells than what it looks like. The lilac bush at the back door is in bloom today, and the entire kitchen smells heavenly - inside and out. Last week, it was the crab apple tree, cherry tree, and blueberry bushes. Next week it will be magnolia and other flowering bushes.

My favorite plant on the entire property is in bloom: Tree Peony.
05/07/2019

My favorite plant on the entire property is in bloom: Tree Peony.

The curious case of a flowering Draecena: This bloom was so pungent, (I could smell it on the other side of the house), ...
12/23/2018

The curious case of a flowering Draecena: This bloom was so pungent, (I could smell it on the other side of the house), I cut it off last night and, still not able to toss it in the compost, put it in the basement, expecting it to wilt. It did not. So tonight, I brought it upstairs, put it in water in the living room, and I can still smell its perfume 6 feet away, which is easier to live with. They’re so pretty, I hope I found a way to co-exist with them for awhile. There are three more getting ready to open upstairs.

They’re opening! If you want to know what it smells like, pour a bottle of your favorite perfume up your nose.
12/21/2018

They’re opening! If you want to know what it smells like, pour a bottle of your favorite perfume up your nose.

The status of Draecena Fragrans flowers this week: Bigger and not yet open.
12/18/2018

The status of Draecena Fragrans flowers this week: Bigger and not yet open.

ZINNIAS? It’s stupid to grow them in December in Pennsylvania, but they have a back story. There is a spot in the garden...
12/15/2018

ZINNIAS? It’s stupid to grow them in December in Pennsylvania, but they have a back story.

There is a spot in the garden where a zinnia I planted four years ago kept re-seeding itself. I usually leave it up to the flower gods to decide if it’s going to propagate.

Seeds come from the dried up flower head, and this year I decided to save some. We had so much rain, though, that one of the heads was soaked and had a little roots poking out. The seeds sprouted in a perfect little ball inside their flower head!

So I saved them - tenderly separating and moving about 20 sprouts to potting soil. I gave some to Josh, who is a wizard at indoor propagating. His plants are 20 inches high now and in flower. Mine are going more slowly, and one is almost there.

Trying to grow zinnias in the winter is silly, but nature gave me an odd opening. I have some friends in mind who might need to smile this winter, and I hope to maybe give them a moment of feeling like it’s summer.

12/06/2018

Fourth flower on Draecena Fragrans. Surprise!

Three plants I call my “survival surprise jasmines.” They’re from a large potted jasmine at the shore house that surpris...
12/03/2018

Three plants I call my “survival surprise jasmines.” They’re from a large potted jasmine at the shore house that surprised me by producing flowers and seeds. I planted the seeds in pots last winter, watered them for about a week, and then abandoned them for two months, distracted by my February heart attack and recovery. The soil dried out in the pots and absolutely nothing happened. In May, when I made it back to the shore, I put the seedling-less pots outside to get them out of the way. After getting steady rain, the seeds sprouted and grew into robust little plants. We all had a pleasant spring surprise survival!

Oh, my. A third flower has turned up on another Draecena Fragrans. (I have three mature ones in the house.) No need for ...
12/03/2018

Oh, my. A third flower has turned up on another Draecena Fragrans. (I have three mature ones in the house.) No need for air fresheners in a few weeks.

My 20-year old, 12-foot high, Draecena Fragrans, (Tropical Corn Plant), is getting ready to flower in two spots for the ...
11/30/2018

My 20-year old, 12-foot high, Draecena Fragrans, (Tropical Corn Plant), is getting ready to flower in two spots for the first time. I was so surprised, I had to search the internet for information. Sounds like people can wait years for success, it has no predictability, the flowers are very pretty, but the fragrance is so overwhelming indoors that people eventually cut them off and and toss them as far out the door as possible. Now that just about sums up my gardening philosophy.

I brought in a pot of nasturtiums before the frost a few weeks ago, because why not?
11/26/2018

I brought in a pot of nasturtiums before the frost a few weeks ago, because why not?

Avocado pits open and sprout in my compost pile. When I find one, I put it in a community with other plants. Coleus is t...
10/22/2018

Avocado pits open and sprout in my compost pile. When I find one, I put it in a community with other plants. Coleus is this year’s pot mate for these three.

Address

Haverford, PA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Elias Edible Empire posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Videos

Fourth flower on Draecena Fragrans. Surprise!

Shortcuts

Share