May

The weather finally changed and we had about 2 weeks of warm dry weather. We were able to start tilling up some of the beds in the garden and begin planting.

The 3 Angelica plants growing in the garden have been most impressive. they are attracting a wide diversity of bees, from little tiny ones to big fat ones.

The delphiniums are in bloom and many of the perennials around the garden rooms have come alive. By the middle of May many had started putting on their blossoms. In the last week, the blooms started opening - roses, poppies, nasturtiums, allysum, penstemons, and lillies.

We both have been doing a lot of back breaking work without much of a break, in hopes of getting a lot done in case the rains come back. There is an unsettling feeling this year, after the months of rain. The talk amongst the gardening community is that this is a very different year than most.

We have violet green swallows nesting in a house on the garden post. The claimed the house that the Barn Swallows used last year. We've seen the arrival of gold finches and house finches, the Towhees have returned, and the wrens. The forest is full of bird songs that start at 4:00 and go strong until about 6:30. Mr. and Mrs. Robin have brought their young to the garden again. They are my companions as I garden and we get along very well. It is fun to have them sit nearby and look at me and I look at them.

There are many dragonflies now, too. It finally feels like Spring has arrived. When the garden was finally tilled up, I felt a shift in the garden, like it woke up — and I did too.