Field Notes for March

Welcome back to Field Notes!

March 1, 2024

Have I mentioned that it's been raining here in the San Francisco Bay Area? Today it is pouring and cold and miserable outside, but warm and cozy inside. I'm on Spring Watch, counting down to the vernal equinox in several weeks, and dreaming about warmer days ahead.

All this rain is going to pay off in the garden

March 3, 2024

Despite all the rain, the landscaping team has made a lot of progress on the stone walkway. A canvas fly can be stretched over the steel frame to provide shelter from the rain, while they cut and fit the individual stones. The path is like a jigsaw puzzle, but with giant, heavy pieces!

The stone walkway is shaping up

March 6, 2024

Finally the rain cleared enough to take a shot of the progress. In the foreground, the pavers have been reset, leading up to the rebuilt stairway constructed of railroad ties. The rock garden spans the path and stairs. A wood chip path weaves through the yard. Further in the background, the drip irrigation tubing has been arranged in the future meadow. The oak tree canopy fills the sky!

A wide view of the rock garden, paths, and future meadow

March 7, 2024

Sunshine! The landscapers have laid out the plants among the drip irrigation tubing. After a month of mud, rain, and demolition, it is encouraging to see plants. It will take several years for the perennials to take hold. I recall that Rebecca Kolls, of Rebecca's Garden, used to say about perennials that the first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap. In the meantime, the fresh green is beautiful!

Laying out the plants according to the Planting Plan

March 8, 2024

What a week of progress! The stone walkway is almost done, the irrigation tubing is laid out, the perennials are in place and ready to plant, and we've scoped out the electricity for the automated sprinkler system. Surveying all the progress during Golden Hour is a good way to end the week.

Golden hour on a Friday afternoon

March 11, 2024

Took an invigorating walk around Bishop Lake today. Large groups of migrating (and maybe local) ducks and geese congregate on the lake. It is always surprising to see a heron or a cormorant aloft in a tree, but it's a good place for them to take a rest and survey the surrounding scene. 

Cormorant with a birds-eye view

March 15, 2024

Another week of progress in the landscape! The sprinkler system is set up and programmed, the plants are installed, mulch has been spread, the electrical wiring has been done, and the stone path and pavers have been finished with chinking. 

The gaps between the pavers have been filled with chinking

Detail from the rock garden

A few loose ends need to be finished up next week, but most of the work has been completed!

March 20, 2024

Today is the first day of spring!

Spring is here - leaf buds on a sycamore tree at Bishop Ranch

March 23, 2024

It's been raining all night, it's raining pretty hard this morning, and it promises to rain off-and-on all weekend. No complaints from me - the newly planted landscape will thrive with the extra water!

Mom by a glorious yellow brittlebush at Whitewater Preserve

Dad against a backdrop of yellow brittlebush on the road to Whitewater Preserve

Still, I can't help thinking back to all my spring trips to Southern California, to meet up with my folks from Alaska. Together we explored the desert, took photos of beautiful wildflowers and plants, and enjoyed each others company. In 2017, we experienced a "super bloom" of brittlebush (see Whitewater Preserve). Memories of those cheerful yellow flowers and good times brighten the gray skies and dripping rain here in the San Francisco Bay Area!