Until the last week or so there hasn’t been much going on in the garden. A few sunny days have changed all that. Although spring and our last estimated frost free date (April 16) are still some time away, I see signs of spring. The tree swallows are back, I saw them this morning zipping in and out of their favored bird house. And the hummingbirds are voracious at the feeders. I have seen three types…Anna’s (here year round), Allens, and Rufus. The Rufus birds are particularly aggressive in their attempts to drive the other birds away and defend the feeders.

Although I have a flowers they favor in the garden, most of them have yet to come into bloom. An exception are the wild huckleberries and Manzanita on the property. I did see one flowering salvia, this one is Mole Poblano. It’s a variety which seems to do well here, unless it is cut back it can reach over 6 feet.

Also in flower this month are Cuphea and the Hellebores.

There is a brownish-purple Flax in the back which had completely overgrown its designated spot and shaded neighboring plants. After watching a video on Youtube we cut (or rather hacked) it back.  Fingers crossed it survives.

The flowering sweet peas have been planted in a half wine barrel. They are one of my favorite flowers, grown every year in memory of my English grandmother.

The edible peas are in the vegetable garden. These are snow peas planted last fall. The snap peas haven’t emerged yet.

The mint is taking off. It’s planted in a container so it doesn’t take over. There will be mint to serve with lamb for Easter.

I’ve already been able to cut chives for use in the kitchen.

I direct sowed salad greens, (arugula, cress and various mixed varieties) about 10 days ago when we had a break in the rain.

The first starts from a local organic grower have shown up at the market, I couldn’t resist buying several 6 packs. Grocery store greens are no match for those picked fresh from the garden.

I had to dig out the roses from the half barrels, remove redwood roots and replant them. This is a yearly chore, otherwise the redwood roots would choke the rose bushes. This one is a new one, Julia Child in honor or my mother who had a cooking school and studied with her.

We have a few days of a break in the rain, 47 inches so far this season. More is predicted next weekend. So, I am going to take advantage of the sun and get out there.

What’s happening in your own garden?