The Little Seeds That Could and Other Spring Tales

You may recall that George's mum visited us last summer and worked a few miracles in our garden. While she was working around the yard, she came upon some laurel seeds and decided to plant them in a row near our front door since we'd like to have something to block off the utility area where we store our hose and would like to store our rubbish bins. She mentioned that she'd put some seeds in the ground and left a stick to mark the area. We took note but didn't really have much expectation. Fast forward through the worst winter in Seattle's memory, and look at what we have:

Well done, Pat!

The other plants near the front door seem to be doing well. I think we lost one or two over the winter. The area is still quite full, and I can see how a few of them are growing and already taking up more ground space. Of course, we are also anxiously awaiting the bloom of our rhododendron in the next month or so. It has the most beautiful pink flowers!

The feijoa cannot be given the same clean bill of health. It was risky to plant it in this zone under normal conditions. In any other winter, it would not have spent nearly a month covered and surrounded, completely, by a blanket of snow, and it might have stood a chance. Alas, winter was not kind to our precious plant, and it's anyone's guess as to whether those few green leaves are going to pull it into our beautiful sunny summer. We're rooting for you, little tree!! [Writer's note: If we're this fussy about our plants, imagine what it'll be like when we get pets, or when we...gasp...have kids.]

While we were working in the yard on Sunday (and pretending that spring had sprung), we were amused by a few things in our little corner of the world (other than George spraying himself with the sprinkler). First, I was working in the front and George was in the back when I looked over my shoulder and discovered a couple (male and female) of mallard ducks wondering onto our lawn. I knew George wouldn't believe me if I didn't call him to see for himself. They were a bit too friendly with me, but they waddled away as soon as George pulled out his G1 for a little photo shoot. There is a creek nearby, but I have never seen ducks in our neighborhood, let alone in our driveway!

Later, while I was weeding and grooming in the perennial border that Pat planted for us, I laughed out loud when I got to the spot where she planted a variety of catnip. Sure enough - the only thing left in its place is a nub of a plant covered in cat hair. Perhaps that explains why our neighbors' cats like to visit our yard so frequently. I'm guessing that one won't be coming up this year...

Finally, to prove that the joy of buying a home from an idiot never really ends, we discovered that a fern that's not doing too well had been planted above the weed liner. I can't believe the thing lasted 2+ years with so little soil and no real root growth! Hopefully our attempt to save the little guy will be successful.

George worked so hard on our lawn this weekend. I can't wait to see it thicken up. Hopefully our plants will all cooperate and help us entertain our VIP guests this summer. In the mean time, let it rain and sun and rain and sun...