Welcome to the 67th Hippie Dabble Digest! I’m back on track! I’m also still working on getting products put onto the website.  There is now a wider variety of backflow burners. Still lots to go though with a wide range of different products.  Take a look at the new stuff in the Shop here: https://hippiedabble.com/shop/ and keep checking back!  Our next in person event is Nic Fest in Casper, Wyoming, June 16th through the 18th. If you’re in the area, stop by and say hi! 

Other projects in the works include getting a storefront up and running (that’ll take awhile) and a bird feeder livestream. I’m also attempting to befriend my new crow neighbors! They’re a bit shy so it might take some time.

In the last Digest I started you on a journey through my garden. Check out all the lovage here: https://hippiedabble.com/hippie-dabble-digest-66-ambicular-mini-habits-environmental-news-lovage-lemon-roasted-chicken-lots-of-lovage-summer-health-tips-more/. For this week’s Digest we have asparagus. See more below. Throughout the whole summer, I will feature one edible plant a week that I have growing in my own garden., including a recipe, lots of information, and where to buy.

Once again as a side note on all of the links provided in every Digest and on the Directory, they are not sponsored links. I don’t get a single cent when you click on them. I do the Hippie Dabble Digest and the Directory because I love finding and sharing this information. Maybe some day I’ll get paid for it, but for now, I just love doing it.

Just for Fun

Weird or Confusing

“Oddities, Pranks, and a few things that make noooo sense.” This site has found some of the strangest products I have ever seen! You have to check this out! https://weirdorconfusing.com/

On Youtube

Top 5 places to get FREE plants | How to get free plants

This looks like an interesting channel, and I like how she puts in plenty of disclaimers. Interested in getting free plants? Check this one out.

In the News

EPA sued over pesticide-coated seeds’ ‘devastating impacts’ on US wildlife (The Guardian)

“Environmental groups are suing the US Environmental Protection Agency over pesticide-coated seeds they say have “devastating environmental impacts” and are spread largely without regulatory oversight.” Read more here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/10/epa-pesticide-toxic-seeds-lawsuit-environment-pollution.

How the Canadian wildfire smoke could shift Americans’ views on climate (Washington Post)

“As climate change dropped its calling card on the East Coast last week in the form of thick, dangerous smoke, millions of Americans and Canadians shared the jarring experience — forced to retreat indoors, cancel plans, wear masks and breathe hazardous air.” Read more here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/06/11/canada-wildfires-smoke-climate-change/.

Ukraine’s dam collapse is both a fast-moving disaster and a slow-moving ecological catastrophe (The Hill)

“The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam was a fast-moving disaster that is swiftly evolving into a long-term environmental catastrophe affecting drinking water, food supplies and ecosystems reaching into the Black Sea.” Read more here: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/ukraines-dam-collapse-is-both-a-fast-moving-disaster-and-a-slow-moving-ecological-catastrophe/.

Texas sues EPA over federal smog control plan (The Texas Tribune)

“Texas is suing the Environmental Protection Agency over its plan to control smog that drifts into other states from industrial facilities like power plants.

The federal agency’s “good neighbor” rule, which was announced in March, requires Texas and 22 other states to cut emissions from industrial sources such as natural gas pipelines and chemical plants that contribute to ozone pollution in neighboring states. The rule is aimed at helping states comply with the Clean Air Act.” Read more here: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/09/texas-smog-plan-epa-lawsuit/.

Weekly Recipe

Baked Asparagus with Parmesan (Carlsbad Cravings)

This link not only has a tasty looking recipe, but it also has lots of information on asparagus and recipe variations. Screen shot below. Check it out here: https://carlsbadcravings.com/baked-asparagus/.

Physical & Mental Health & Well-Being

The Benefits of Gardening

Here are two great articles on the benefits of gardening. The first is from The Mayo Clinic Health System: Dig into the benefits of gardening. The second is from Happiness.com, which is a website, an app, and a community: The 7 Mental Health Benefits of Gardening.

In the Garden

This week is all about asparagus. I planted seeds two or three years ago (I’ve lost track of time), and the asparagus is still not big enough to eat. If you plant asparagus seeds, be patient. Here’s a picture of one of my plants.

Here are a few links on planting, growing, and harvesting asparagus:

Asparagus: How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Asparagus | The Old Farmer’s Almanac

How to Grow Asparagus in Your Garden – Bonnie Plants

Asparagus : From Seeds To Harvest – Urban Farmer Seeds (ufseeds.com)

Did you know there are tons of different types of asparagus? I didn’t until I started looking up websites for this post. Check them out here:

10 Varieties Of Asparagus, Explained (tastingtable.com)

Asparagus Types: 15 Asparagus Varieties To Grow in Your Garden (allaboutgardening.com)

And if you’re wondering where to get asparagus for planting, take a look at these links which include both seeds and plants:

Asparagus Seeds & Roots | Urban Farmer (ufseeds.com)

Search results for: ‘asparagus’ (rareseeds.com)

Asparagus Seeds and Plants, Crowns – Grow in your Garden – Burpee

Asparagus Seeds & Plants | Park Seed | Park Seed

Asparagus Crowns & Seeds | Johnny’s Selected Seeds (johnnyseeds.com)

This and That

I’ve recently discovered the joy of birdwatching! I never knew how relaxing it can be until now. If you’re into bird watching, or just interested or curious about types of birds, check out this websites from The Cornell Lab for looking up bird types and information on them.

A livestream to my own backyard birds is coming soon. Here’s a preview:

Quote of the Week

Thanks for joining me for another edition of the Hippie Dabble Digest! See you next week!