As i sit here facing our large window looking at the front yard, I can see new growth on the nasturtium, light green leaves on the tip of the passionflower vine, I can feel spring coming our way. The sun is shining brightly. According to the weather app, the temperature will go to a high of 64°, with a 47% of rain.
I've started my first batch of seeds, I'll have to check if any have sprouted. The fava bean (Vicia faba) plants I sowed in early winter have continued to grow and covered bare surfaces.
As I'm writing this, the sun has decided to hide behind the dark clouds. The rain is coming. I can feel it in my bones, as the old timers used to say. And now the sun is out again. I love the anticipation of spring. It's a promise of brighter days.
Yesterday, I saw our first California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) blooms. It won't be long before the front yard is carpeted with bright, orange flowers.
I can't wait to use my new tree identification book that I bought last fall, “A Californian's Guide to the Trees Among Us.” I learned about this book from the tree class I attended last fall at the UC Master Gardener Conference. It's the best tree identification book I've seen in a long time. By the time I ordered the book and it's arrival, the trees I wanted to identify have already lost their leaves and gone dormant.
Our chickens have started laying eggs again. Chickens are great at scratching the ground and eating weeds, and giving us manure. They are my overall best garden helpers.
The sun is hidden again, I'll have to wait a little longer.