the spring garden, part 1: additions

In this last week, during a brief respite from our abnormally high, wtf-inducing temperatures, I was able to put some spring and summer plants in the ground. We've also made a few exciting long-term additions to the garden!

(Please do not mock my use of the term "exciting.")

Exciting addition #1: grape vines:


Grapes to be:


Exciting addition #2: a bubbly, bubbly fountain:


With mini roses:


Exciting addition #3: a semi-dwarf peach tree (Spitting Gnome courtesy of my husband):


And now for the seasonal garden:


Pepper plants:


Tomatoes:


Squashes (squash? squashi?):


Herbs galore:


Including my first time with Thai basil:


Let's hope the near-100 forecast for the 1st really is an April Fool's joke and spring returns once again. If you visit for tea, we can enjoy the garden together until the heat chases us indoors.

february's project (a tad late)

Now that this scarf is in the mail, I can post a photo. It was for a January birthday. Oops.



Also, here's the first carrot of the season. Husband ate it; he declared it to be "carroty."

the winter garden

Since temperatures here are nearly 90F (um... spring? hello?), I have been converting my garden from winter crops to spring/summer crops. Judging by the crowds at the local nursery, everybody else in town is doing the same.

The broccoli plants are going to seed, so I've harvested what I can and will pull them up this week.


The onions and carrots need a bit more time, so I'll leave them for another month or two.


Some lovely spearmint is growing free in the northeast corner of the garden. It seems to be fighting for dominance with the old bermuda (or some kind of ) grass that used to cover the whole back yard and currently is trying to make a comeback in the northern half of my garden. Win minty, win!


Shovel Gnome watches me work. He wants to help. Really, he does.


Plants for the spring garden!


Lazy Gnome is a jerk. Just look at him lounging back there, the shiftless cad.

haikus of the sleepy baby

his pudgy fist lifts
to twist and turn at his eye
why doesn't he sleep?

blue eyes full open
almost pleading as he drinks
slowly sink to close

still now in my arms
little fingers grip the sheet
only Binky moves

the introverted garden

Islamic gardens have surprising unity across the vast geography of the Muslim world. Historically, such gardens were representative of or inspired by the Quran's description of paradise, though over time such unity was likely the result of certain principles and elements rooted in Muslim faith and culture.

As compared to Western gardens, which have been outward-focused - some would say "showy" - Islamic gardens are introverted. Traditional gardens are surrounded by walls, buildings, or trees. They are private. They are a place of rest from the chaos of the city, the dry and dusty desert, or the death of this world. They are spaces of peace, water, and life.

Some scholars point to seven different concepts that are found in garden design throughout the Islamic world: diversity, beauty, conservation, contextuality, individualism, multiple-use, and moderation. While I appreciate each of these concepts, I'm not going to take the time here to discuss each one. But as it is spring, at least here in the desert southwest, I am currently planting my seasonal garden and continuing the design of our patio and garden (a multi-year project in our fixer-upper of a home). A couple of these concepts really appeal to me.

Conservation: Water is valuable in desert lands, so it must be used wisely. Fountains can provide a celebration of water in careful ways.

Contextuality: I love this observation from Safei El-Deen Hamed: "Each design has to fit into two environments: the natural and the urban, the God-made and the man-made. If a Muslim designer disrespects the former he will be a sinner, and if he disregards the latter his action will be considered evidence of a lack of civility." For those of us who live in urban and suburban areas, this is something to keep in mind.

Multiple Use: This is my personal favorite, and something that I believe has been lacking in home gardens and Western gardens in general. Some complain that it even has been declining in Muslim gardening. Traditionally, Islamic gardens were oases in a desert - they provided water, food, shade, beauty, scents, and activity for humans, birds, and animals. Today, I think these deserts could be literal (the Sahara or central Arizona) or figurative (urban sprawl). The basic idea is for gardens to be as productive as they are lovely.

I have been reminiscing lately on my past visits to Morocco. Whether because of the similarity of climate, its interesting cultural and artistic history, or the delicious food, I became rather fond of the country. Someday, I would like to return. In the meantime, I am inspired by these photos as I plan my own garden:

come the revolution, I will barter in socks

One of my goals for the year is to learn how to knit more than just a simple scarf. To that end, I am attempting to knit one project a month. Alas, I am already behind. Not too far behind, though - I think I can finish February's project pretty soon. It is... well, a simple scarf.

January's project was a cap for Baby O #3:

negative equity

Let's say that [being] underwater is kind of like marrying somebody who then very quickly lets themselves go. You were never going to leave anyway, but for some reason now you feel more trapped. -Colm O'Regan