Landscaping The Wall Part 1

This spring has been a wet one for would be gardeners like us. Finally last Friday it was warm and dry enough to do some additional planting in the new wall out front. These violas that I planted on April 8 have survived several inches of rainfall lately without drowning. They could use some mulch, though.

Here Norm prepares to transplant a couple of chrysan- themums that lived through the winter heeled in behind the garage. We also have placed some of the hostas that we saved last fall back in this bed.

This is what the same planter looked like on April 4 before we started moving plants into it.

After a drenching weekend (almost two inches) we are looking forward to a dry, warm week ahead. Maybe we will celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday by planting more stuff. The other night we had some of the first leaves of lettuce in a salad. Our lilac is blooming and all kinds of lilies are coming up, along with our tame wildflowers: black eyed susans, purple coneflowers, and phlox. We look forward to their blooms in succession.

Doug is safely home, giving final exams this week. MIchelle continues her recovery in the hospital. Baby Lily is doing well. We are hopeful that Sarah, daughter of friends, will also do well in the hospital as she recovers from pneumonia. And now we are offering special prayers for Heather whose baby is threatening to arrive some 7 weeks early. Dear God, have mercy and surround them all with your love and grace.