Another Spring

The creek in the side canyon has been running on and off for about a month, dandilions are up and raging but we're working hard keeping them in check. Turned the soil over in the garden, saw the first of many broad-tailed hummingbirds, and have been enjoying young lovage shoots. (Better than the horrific taste of old lovage leaves)

The garlic planted last fall has sprung up with about 75% success, maybe the other 25% are just catching some more Zzzzs before game-on time. We relocated some plants from around the property into a new bed near the ever crumbling arch. A few pads of Opuntia x durangowhatever here and there, an Echinocactus, some Penstamen, Ipomopsis, and others making a native bed. We also got our hands on some Ephedra (Mormon Tea) from very close by, so that will be a nice piece of texture once established.

Of course now that we spent the dry early part of the last decade learning the ropes of xeric gardening, it has been pretty wet the last few summers. We'll enjoy that as long as it continues. I wonder what effect, if any, the Eyjafjallajokull eruption will have on our growing season this year?

Looking forward to a great year. Also looking forward to figuring out a way to get these blogs to include a slideshow... Any blogger experts out there?