Seeds (shhh...don't tell!)

(our backyard, after a recent snowstorm)

We love our yard. We bought our house in part because its 1/3 acre lot seemed both more expansive and more private than most town lots because it was surrounded by big old trees. Over the years, our neighbors have removed many of the trees (I mourned each loss). But we still have just about the shadiest yard around. Perfect for me, who likes to hide from the sun in the summer. Not so perfect for vegetables.

So we haven't done much vegetable gardening. Some volunteer squash in the compost heap. A few measly peas here and there. A couple cherry tomatoes. But never a whole vegetable garden.

Until this year. We've decided to do a bit of guerrilla gardening. There's an abandoned house near us. It's city property, neglected for years. Most importantly, it's got more sun than we do. This year, a raised garden bed or two might appear in its yard. Who will care? If someone does, we're just out a few seeds and some labor. But I bet they won't. And then we might actually be able to grow some veggies.

We spent this afternoon dreaming over seed catalogs. Headed our way are:
Boston Marrow Squash
Double Yield Cucumber
Blondkopfchen, Moonglow, and Martino's Roma Tomatoes
Grandpa Admire's Lettuce
Green Arrow Peas
Chioggia Beets
Light Red Kidney Beans
Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans
Golden Chard
Straight Eight Cucumber.

Aren't they great names? I swear, I could choose plants for their names alone (I didn't though--not entirely, anyway!--we chose organic, heirloom, and productive).

I also know of a green space that might suddenly sprout some elderberries this year...