We've been all about spring around here. That's why it's spring. Or maybe I got that backwards. Well, anyway, spring means green. And our yard is no exception -- crabgrass and dandelions galore. Maybe some Kentucky bluegrass here and there. But... we're letting it die! It's my statement against high-water-use, good-for-nothing-except-? lawns in a desert mountain. So I've been planting lots of other things to try to replace our grass entirely, around most of the house -- a process that will doubtless take a few years. Nonetheless, here's some of what spring has sprung for us in 2010:

New junipers -- very blue ones. The best-looking junipers
I have come across, so I had to get a few. After 5 years I
understand they will gain a foot, so, patience...

But, of course, nothing compared to the patience
required of raising children! Or bristlecone pines,
for that matter. Google them, they're awesome.
This one is probably ten years old or so.
(Mugo row in back...)

This is our "compost"... uh... "bin"... We *are* getting
some good-looking black compost at the bottom of
the heap, but not a lot, and it's taking a long time.
We really just ignore it.

Here are the children, nicely lined up (courtesy
of Megan the older sibling!) next to the pretty
pink peach tree. Pear tree to the left, apple tree
quite a ways behind that! (squint)

Parley is showing off everything he knows about gardening.
Actually, he knows how to dig up brand new pea plants too.

This raised planting box was my first-ever
solo (real -- aka useful) wood-working project.
We've got Lincoln peas in the south half and
will put out some Brandywine tomatoes in the
other half in a couple weeks! (I *love-love-love*
this photo, by the way...)