List Lovers Thursday

So it's my favorite time of year - in case I hadn't already mentioned that. Even though the daylight comes a little later and goes a little sooner every day, I must, must, MUST get outside everyday. We have enjoyed some time each evening after work on the back patio. I get home, kick off my shoes, grab a big glass of water and the day's mail, and retreat to the loveseat out back. Hubby is usually there already enjoying a cold drink on the glider. On Tuesday I moved my little TV (that's also very old) out there and we sometimes have our dinner there. I think I even caught a cat nap on Monday evening. It's become our little oasis.

I have a few palms, a couple of cacti and succulents, some ferns and spider plants, and even a little lemon tree in pots on the patio. Out in the yard I've planted a few herbs in a small bed, trimmed up some fountaingrass in a couple of beds and borders, and still need to clean up a couple of other beds to get ready for some new plants. And here's where I always get into trouble.

I always plant tomatoes - it's a given. After that, anything goes. I'll prepare the spot for the tomatoes and dig out the tomato cages. I make my trip to the store to buy a tomato plant or two, but usually come home with much, much more. I just can't resist the happy little faces of a pansy, or the texture of a lamb's ear, or the way a little succulent seems to grow in a spiral, or even the idea of cutting a bunch of kale and digging up a couple of beets to cook for supper.

So here is my list - a list of things I'd like to plant this year. Some are practical and do-able, and some are just pie-in-the-sky, but fun to dream about nonetheless.

• lettuce (red oak leaf, deer tongue, Simpson black-seeded)
• radishes (German Giant and Pink Beauty)
• chocolate mint
• lavender
• society garlic
• Baja Fairy Duster
• violas
• Mexican Primrose
• shallots
• millet and purple millet
• lamb's ear
• yarrow
• Mexican Red Hat
• butterfly bush
• popcorn bush
• catnip
• zucchini
• beets
• yellow beets
• swiss chard
• kale
• basil
• nasturtiums
• salvia
• flame tree
• alyssum
• hollyhocks
• sweet peas
• morning glories

Here's to playing in the dirt!