No, they are not edible, they are plantable!

Seeking an alternative to the flowers, boxes of chocolates, and other symbols of love and affection traditionally offered on Valentine’s Day? How about these Garden Bon Bons?  For novice and expert gardener alike, these garden truffles are handcrafted bon bon balls of clay, organic compost and seed wrapped in a package resembling traditional chocolates. Seed balls are a centuries-old planting technique. The compost provides nutrients to the seeds and the clay holds it together and protects against insects. Toss into the garden or indoor container, find a sunny spot, add water and watch them grow! Available from Uncommon Goods.

Roman myth has it that Cupid was carrying a pitcher of sweet nectar to the gods on Mt. Olympus where he spilled drops of the sweet liquid and from that spot roses grew.  A single rose of any color in full bloom means “I love you.” Two roses put together to form a single stem signifies engagement, and stem leaves are a symbol of hope. Roses are red, violets are blue, but there are other flowers I can send to you. This year consider organic flowers from, California Organic Flowers, a nursery run by a family farmer.

Plantable Seed Valentine Card from Botanical PaperWorks

According to Hallmark, 180 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. Plantable seed paper cards are one way to keep the message living as they are planted and grow into flowers or vegetables.

Yummy Card boxed card set from Botanical PaperWorks grows six different herbs when the card is planted. Each card contains a recipe for a tasty dish using the corresponding fresh herb.

What about  giving the one you love an experience?

Instead of an expensive dinner out, share a romantic picnic with someone you love. This eco-friendly willow basket contains bamboo plates and cutlery, cutting board, and recycled glasses. Available at the Urban Gardens shop.

This one is on my desire list: Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure–literally a restaurant without walls. Their mission is to reconnect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it. The meal is set on a long table at farms or gardens, on mountain tops or in sea caves, on islands or at ranches. Occasionally the table is set indoors: a beautiful refurbished barn, a cool greenhouse or a stately museum. Ingredients for the meal are almost all local (sometimes sourced within inches of your seat at the table!) and generally prepared by a celebrated chef of the region.

Outstanding in the Field at Munson Farm, Boulder Colorado

Forage for your Valentines gift…

One of my favorite garden newsletters, Dirt du Jour, turned me on to Forage, a Los Angeles eatery where your urban harvests plus food from local farms and ranches make the dishes served from their kitchens. Guests collaborate with the chefs in creation of the meal after foraging fruits and vegetables, bringing them the limes from their backyard trees, or peas they’re growing in their gardens. From there, a tasting in the kitchen, information about how you’re growing them, and then a collaboration to figure out how best to use the foraged ingredients. They hope to become a small example of how victory gardens and small farms aren’t some pipe dream or privilege, but something we all deserve and can have in our daily life. Forage holds a harvest call every Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.