Went out into the main garden yesterday early and what should I see but a single, unexpected burst of color!

A few hours later, I went back out, for our regular 10 AM Saturday workparty, and asked the five humans already present to stand still for the camera. They are, in order, Camden, Ben, Nathan in back, Joseph and Nicolas in front.  

So, we got to work. Joseph cuts back, while I sit on stool, planting itsy bitsy lettuces.

Nicolas, it turned out, wanted to go help his mom Marita turn compost in one of the back gardens. Marita also planted eggplant in the front garden of that house.

I notice the allium is fading . . . sob!

To me, what’s sadder than anything this spring, is to be utterly delighted by gorgeous flowers that emerge and flower unexpectedly, stay for a while, and then gradually fade. And yes, they mirror who we are. Each of us a unique gorgeous flower, that comes in (sometimes unexpectedly, for the parents!), stays for a while, and then gradually (or suddenly) fades.

Love that bok choi! And see just how many seeds (to save)  this overwintered kale produced, finally growing so heavy with seed that it now bends over to the ground. The flower below right, I don’t know the name of, but one of the women Joseph works for in her garden gifted it to him. YES!

Just as it did last year, valerian is growing up all by itself in the gardens surrounding the Overhill house. And that little plant, “Queen of the Prairie,” a native, but in the southwest! Neighbor Carisa said it had to get in the ground, NOW! So she brought it over. Already, three days later, it’s twice as big and much healthier looking!

And ah yes, the perilla, the perilla, coming up nicely once again, where it chooses. 

Here’s Joseph with his gigantic mullein, that he says he talks to. To the right, his wonderful friend Nathan, who has started to work with us each Saturday.

And finally, Joseph again, watering, in his fairy garden.