A new phase

I have always gardened alone (in terms of my personal garden--the college habitat is quite another thing). Recently, though, some neighborhood children saw me removing some grass from a soon-to-be-expanded bed and asked if they could help; it turns out that a fifth-grader up the block is fascinated with plants, insects, and amphibians.When my flower bulb shipment arrives in a week or so, four enthusiastic volunteers under the age of twelve will be helping to dig the holes, place the bulbs, and spread the mulch.

They also brought me five toads to add to the amphibian population in the walled garden. This is a very useful gift.