Not having to bake challah really freed up time to be in the garden.  I finished grass-seeding and then strawing the whole yard.  I should clarify less lawn, as I’ve been subtly expanding the native areas into the lawn, in my secret plan to take over the unnatural world.  Don’t worry, I’m leaving enough (improved) lawn for all you badminton fanatics.

I noticed spring beauty (Claytonia) and bluebells (Mertensia), not to mention violets, are cleverly infiltrating said lawn, assisting me in said secret plan.  Of course some exotic invasives like lesser celandine, the shiny yellow drifts, are seeing their advantage and insinuating themselves into everywhere, but it’s too late now to eliminate all evil.  I have faith that aggressive natives will eventually overrun the invading aliens from another world.  (It’s all one big metaphor.)

(In fact, if you read between the lines of all my garden tales, you’ll discover my “secret” rage against the whole unnatural, degenerate descent of our country into its logical hellish conclusion, but also my stubborn hope that natural justice will prevail.  But you already knew that, so back to friendly garden sappiness.)

While I was strewing straw, I top-dressed the future (any day now) strawberry bed, and its neighboring perennial veg/fruit beds.  Note the asparagus gone wild!  Obviously I will do more cleanup on those beds soon.  I also leaf-mulched some areas with the remaining leaves, so nothing goes to waste.  I weeded and straw-mulched the lilacs, which are looking happy.

In case you haven’t picked up on it, my ultimate goal is to manage, maintain, and improve upon the lovely mostly-native surroundings the previous owners left in our care, to create a healthy, balanced, welcoming habitat for beneficial co-evolved critters, plants, and people.  That is, a mini-MOBOT for Avdi and family/friends to enjoy and relax in.  Plus bonus things to eat!