Youth in Spring (of the Coronavirus)

The first day of Spring was beautifully, deliciously warm - sunny, balmy, perfect; but for the viral load looming all around.

Young people, young plants - on that first day last week, beckoning me out onto the terrace for the first gardening tasks of the year.

Alas, the gorgeous weather apparently was  also conducive to social gathering, rather than the physical distancing recommended in these times...

Note the risky behavior of the young people ...

... similarly, the risky clustering of the young sorrel...

Survivors of an indoor Winter aphid infestation on Sissy’s windowsill.  Actually, at the height of Winter, they were brought out to the Jardin to fend for themselves.  And they made it!

But then, see the sorrel demonstrate the physical distancing required to flatten the curve ...

The sorrel, after being teased apart.  Hopefully this will give them space to thrive.  They survived the winter; a few more cold nights should be ok, right?  Most of their roots stayed insulated by the original soil, so hopefully root shock is minimal.

... so that we may all emerge from out under this pandemic healthy and well, like the salvia coming up from its Winter sojourn...

Salvia from the Mothership.  They did ok last year in the pot, but did not thrive.  Maybe this year, now that they are more accustomed to their tight quarters.

... rather than go the way of last year's Vietnamese balm.

These seed heads, like many of the others (including the promiscuous shiso) were left over winter for the birds.  But now, seems the birds should have other sources of food.  And hopefully gathering the heads and dispersing them in their intended pots will minimize the volunteers.  And this year, I resolve to be ruthless about weeding and eating the micro green volunteers.  The Vietnamese balm seed heads, even dried, smelled AMAZING.