Spring has sprung!

And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
~Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Sensitive Plant"

Image from the 1918 Burpee Seeds catalog, courtesy Burpee Seeds catalog cover gallery

M&E plan their spring garden

Edna: Margie, we're running late on our garden planning this year, what with all the partying we've been doing lately. My lands, but we need to get a move on if we're going to have anything planted! I know Cousin T will help us with whatever we need outside, but I think we'd best decide what we want to grow before we start him to work. For myself, I think we should put in a few heirloom vegetables. I've got a hankering to grow me some purple tomatoes this year.

Margie: Whatever you do, Edna, don't give Cousin T any Special tea until he's finished making our rows. Lord a mercy, they went every which-a-way last year.

I'm planting red tomatoes and corn plus some peanuts. We need beans too, Edna, and a herb garden.

Edna: An herb garden is a very good idea, I just love the smell of lemon verbena. I also think we should set an area aside just for some flowers. Zinnias and sunflowers are always a cheerful addition to any garden.

Oh, and look, I found a plant that we can grow in your honor. It's called Devil's Claws. Hee!

Margie: Edna, you are not funny. I'm salting a ring around the garden to keep demons like you out.

I'll also plant some tall, pretty flowers so I don't have to look at your face.

Edna: Fine by me, since that means I won't have to see you either.

I'm looking forward to some homegrown vegetables this season, Margie. Go call Cousin T and tell him that we'll pay him in cookies if he helps us with our garden, okay?

Margie: Only if you use your own money to buy the cookies, Edna.

Edna: Does that mean you're buying the seeds, you cheapskate?

Margie: Sure, Edna, if you can loan me some cash.

Edna: Oh good Lord, I am not getting into this argument with you in front of our readers! I swan, Margie, sometimes you have the manners of a toad. Just call Cousin T and we'll talk about this later, you hear me?