Took Banjo on his first trip to the nursery today (clarification: Banjo the dog-- the plant nursery). Bought two redwood planters for my two blueberry bushes and three Sweet Broom plants (genista spachiana). Since I'm so concerned with looking for what water and light the plants I pick require, I seem to have a problem reading labels for size. Oops. My tiny plants will grow to be 5-6 feet tall by 6-8 feet wide. I planted them around chimney and citrus trees-- clearly a bad move. Oh well, crossing fingers that pruning will keep them in check until I move and take them to a new home with more space. The good things- their yellow flowers help to make the front beds more cohesive, they require little water and no fertilizer, and they smell like lemons!
The crocus blooms have gone and the daffodils are taking their place:
One of the hyacinths on its way up:
A wider view of the front. Having lawn mowed this weekend and will try to take one of the entire front. Unfortunately this week's rain has brought the return of the weeds... but as soon as dryer times hit, the weeds will disappear and my plants should flourish.
The trickiest part is trusting that all the plants will grow, fill in the empty spaces, and become a gorgeous composition of texture, color, and depth. Things look dinky now but this plot has great potential.
Trying out companion planting and starting to use the "biointensive" method of spacing instead of rows. It's all a mish-mosh at the moment.
What my Euphorbia would have looked like (if they hadn't died):
Master gardener flower plots:
Peaceful fountain:
Something about this area reminded me of Greek mythology. Maybe it was because I wanted to "spend all my life on the bench at the very end" but reconsidered just in case I could be cursed like Midas... too much of a good thing you know:
The gardens are just heavenly. If you find yourself in Palo Alto, you must visit.
Above: Instead of raised beds, these are sunk into the ground. I loved the permanent trellis structure the peas are climbing and how neat the pathways are (mulch between rows and compacted dirt in the main path)
Below: I've never seen a greenhouse like this before. It seems to be made of slats and intended for hardening off. 
Below: A section of raised planters with more chicken wire structures. The edible garden is part of their "Roots and Shoots" program. Third graders come weekly to the garden to learn about planting and reaping a healthy harvest. 
Below: A teepee trellis in action. 
Zinnia Starlight Mix:
Monet's Palette Sunflower Mix:
Moons and Starts Watermelon:
The Marin Sun Farm CSA box: Frenched Lamb Rack, Beef Bottom Round, Ground Beef x3, Ground Pork, Ground Lamb, Boneless Pork Leg, Filet Minion x2, Beef Stew Meat, Beef Shanks, and a New York Strip. We have a full freezer. Now... what to make?!!
March 2010:
By this August, maybe my tiny plants will have become big plants.
And our tiny dog will have become a big dog.
