"I'm goin' where the chilly winds don't blow" --Bob Dylan

I caught my brain suggesting that I could feel the cold air reaching me, way over here, through the window. Just knowing it's 11 degrees out there is enough to give up and go back to bed, pull up the covers and sleep ...until April. Nevertheless, I can soldier on because my seeds have already arrived. Only 115 days until the last frost date! Now it is the oh-so-important time of planning the space where the deliciousness will burst from the ground. I only hope my optimism continues through the summer, despite my brown thumb.

We'll grow the things we like to smell, see, or eat most: brandywine tomatoes, various peppers, pumpkin, red onion, cilantro, dill, Italian parsley, fingerling carrots for Anja, bee balm, lavender, marigold, zinnia, and only because I can...artichoke!

I am skeptical I can coax anything edible from an artichoke plant, but I have a seedling tray that will help me get started early and increase the chances. I don't think I've even seen an artichoke in it's natural state, so I attempt anything in this area with no attachment whatsoever. I have included a pic since I might not see one actually come from the garden.

There are ample community raised beds that we sign-up for in spring. Every year my neighbor grows an amazing amount of basil to share and mint comes back everywhere--which annoys her, but I think it's a nice problem to have--just eat it! Apparently the soil is very good for tomatoes, the only problem may be with the carrots. Depending on space, I would like to add some leafy things, especially spinach.

As much as I like gardens, probably the most exciting thing is eating. Too bad it'll be a while. In the meantime, visions of heirloom tomatoes will dance in my head...