Field Notes for February

Welcome back to Field Notes! I'm experimenting with a "journal" format this year, in which a single post includes brief entries made throughout the month. The format will likely evolve over the year, and vary from month-to-month or season-to-season (in the spirit of "Sabbatical" and trying something new)! So far I'm enjoying it.

February 1, 2024

Is it really February already? Today's temperature reached a brief high of 73 degrees F. in some parts of the Bay Area, with sunshine (it was glorious)! Later the temp fell back into the 50s, with more rain forecasted. Warmer days are coming, but I don't feel the pull to outside projects yet. I'm still favoring inside projects, like cleaning up "The Lair", which serves as our project room and guest room. With no overnight guests since the pandemic, the room has become a storage room. Time to clean up the clutter! 

Stash of gardening books

In the process, I found a stash of antique gardening books stored in the room! I'm looking forward to reading them and pouring over the pictures for new ideas.

February 4, 2024

The porta-potty was delivered Friday. The landscapers arrive tomorrow morning. The green dumpster will be delivered on Tuesday. Let the demolition begin!

 

Porta-potty is just the beginning!

February 10, 2024

What a difference a week makes. For the last five days, our yard has been under assault from our landscapers! The demolition and severe pruning comes first in the project, so it feels like everything is in chaos. Trees have been cut down, stumps ground, bushes removed. Tools and equipment are stashed everywhere.

Stump removed for the tulip magnolia

But, we have the landscaping plans and know that this work paves the way for the good things to come. The crew is very professional, considerate, and efficient. They also keep us informed, so we are never left wondering about what comes next. I've already done the "letting go" of beloved plants, and know that the chaos will pay off!

February 13, 2024

It is too early to crow, but I have sprouts! I planted chard, lettuce, and spinach seeds in coir pellets last month, and they are starting to appear. It's killing me, but I water only sparingly. I'm hoping to spare them from coming down with dampening off disease. They look a little spindly though, so probably are not getting enough light.

Spindly sprouts (but still alive)!

February 17, 2024

The San Francisco Garden Show is back and will be held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in April! My Aunt Char and I attended the Garden Show at the Cow Palace and the San Mateo Convention Center for years, until it moved to Sacramento and then closed for the pandemic. I'm thrilled it is returning to the Bay Area, and hope we can find a time to attend!

February 21, 2024

This might be fun to try - Tataki Zome (or sometimes called Hapa Zome). This refers to the Japanese art of printing fabric with flower petals. For best results the fabric should be scoured and mordanted. I like Janelle's technique of using washi tape (similar to masking tape) to arrange individual petals before pounding. This would be a fun take on eco printing, which we tried a couple of years ago (see Eco-dying Spring Flowers and Plants)!

February 25, 2024

Several giant shopping bags of stone and gravel were delivered this week in preparation for the hardscape work to come.

Shopping bags of stone!

February 27, 2024

This week the landscaping team is digging irrigation trenches for the PVC pipes, in order to relocate the valves to an optimal location in the yard. The irrigation system itself will be drip, but we need the infrastructure first. The original irrigation system became inoperable years ago, so we are delighted to replace it with a modern approach.

Irrigation trenches for the PVC

February 29, 2024

Happy Leap Day! I'm celebrating the day with a beautiful Valentine's Day bouquet from Mom and Dad (it still looks great)!

A brief ray of sunshine lights up the rich, jewel colors of the flowers