<p>Well- its fairly balmy in Seattle- by that I mean the ground isn’t frozen rock hard- so that means that all the bits that I started to dig up last summer and fall ( I have been digging new beds where sod used to be) can continue.</p>
<p>I’ve pretty much started my front yard going the way I want- still working on the side yard ( and I close my eyes to the backyard because H has too much misc stuff out there from working in the bathroom and digging up dirt to put a shed next to the garage- I will get to it later this summer)</p>
<p>But- I also have a large parking strip that is all mine to plant-
Its about 45’ X 15’, I planted a city donated scarlet oak, that is about 12 - 15 ft tall & I am going to keep it there- ( but I just pruned it )but I am also seriously thinking about installing some raised beds for veggies and stuff.</p>
<p>We face south- so it gets lots of sun- and I am already to start some seeds, but I can’t decide what to plant-
I anticipate donating extra to the food bank- because while I might start canning at some point in time- that is way down my list for things to start doing. after going to Europe to see Pearl Jam and getting a tattoo</p>
<p>I have been looking on websites but was wondering what others have had good luck with. I like herbs- we have sandy soil, so rosemary and lavandula I already have as shrubs- and am going to plant basil I know- cause I always grow tomatoes- but what else?</p>
<p>what is too hard to start from seed- what gets too prolific to deal with it?</p>
<p>Two more months until I expect to see the ground- don’t torment me with gardening questions, especially since “balmy” around here means 30+ degrees and I just cleared the driveway AGAIN… I’m giving in to the critters and shade next season after sad results in recent years (even the zucchini didn’t do well).</p>
<p>Do you have the Sunset Garden Book? It was indispensable when we lived in California, and I’m pretty sure it had suggestions for different soil/exposure/climates for the whole west coast. </p>
<p>(Finally, I have something that some of you don’t have: the lettuce is coming out of our ears, and the tomatoes should start turning red next week.)</p>
<p>Let’s see: saw a flock of robins yesterday. And this morning I noticed “our” red winged blackbirds are back. And the dog ate another vole, which means the ground is soft enough to dig.</p>
<p>And there are buds on my plum trees… and the sasanqua camellias are blooming… and so are the rosemary plants.</p>
<p>And I don’t know if this is a rose bush that is badly premature or way late, but one of my roses has a flower bud on it… and it’s opening.</p>
<p>Ah Emerald, you and I, spending all our free time up to our elbows in dirt! </p>
<p>I am still in layover mode and still enjoying the rest. The first thing I have to do is mulch. I started a winter mulch the end of Nov. and only did 4 trees so the first thing I have to do after everything thaws is mulch about 10. (I can’t mulch the trees when the mulch is frozen!)Of course, these aren’t my trees but the township park’s trees. Then on Arbor Day, they are planted a tree in my honor! I really want a willow.It’s going on a swale and a willow would be fine. I’m hoping since it’s my tree , they will let it be a willow. There are significant reasons why it needs to be a willow.</p>
<p>gawd- Im sorry I must have hit a nerve- I didn’t mean to- I don’t ever watch TV so I haven’t been paying much attention to weather-
I guess now isn’t the time to bring up Ds trip to Ghana next week either? :o</p>
<p>Really, its raining and there are mudflows everywhere- & its cold.
and Seattle so it must be wet right?</p>
<p>Backhand- I would gladly rip out this corkscrew willow that is growing kittycorner from our backyard, but is hanging over our yard and is a big mess.
However salix is great I hear for making a tea to help with propagation.</p>
<p>Oh, emeraldkity, I envy you your “sandy soil”. Here in Georgia we have red clay and MUCH effort is spent working loamy stuff into it so things can thrive!</p>
<p>We started some serious re-landscaping last summer/fall and have since been hauling buckets of water out there (saved from the shower) to keep them going. Recently, we have had rain, though, so the buckets have been dormant. H and I were just talking about needing to do some pruning and I noticed that the daffodil bulbs are up!</p>
<p>I feel for you folks in Georgia and your water situation. Drought isn’t limited to any single part of the country.Every August our personal water bill spikes. Rain barrels are a good way to deal with the situation but no matter how much water you save more is always needed.</p>