Mary, Mary quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells
And one bat-eared begonia.

It was evening as Sylvia and I sat side by side in our recliners resting after working in the garden (Sylvia) and mowing (me).  She said to me, “I had to haul rocks back to the garden today.”

“Why?” was my reply.

“To keep things from blowing away in the wind,” she answered.

Sylvia had put down the newspapers that we had at hand and all of the landscaper’s cloth.  She does that to control weeds in the area between the rows and even around the plants.  It’s an effective mulch and saves a lot of labor.  The newspaper we already have, so it is economical.  The landscaper’s cloth can be used for several years.  It allows water to pass through and into the ground while preventing weeds from growing.  The cost is greater, but so is the benefit.  The garden does look good now.

Not much newspaper you may observe.  We recycle and that’s what we had.  Perhaps if we were to plan ahead . . . ?

Tiny little asparagus shoots are up and the rhubarb is showing signs of life as well.  It’s going to be a great year.