Annual Bates Nursery Excursion

For the third year in a row we've taken a trip in the month of April to Bates Nursery. Situated just north of downtown off Briley, this family owned nursery is just our size and style. This year we brought Anja, and an awesome coupon, and took our time on a lazy Sunday afternoon looking at plants and flowers.

We are SO over the actual in-the-ground-garden. Between the dogs and squirrels we're opting for pots that can be strategically positioned for optimum results.

It looks simple, but we managed to complicate it. The kids thoroughly enjoyed dumping the dirt from pot to pot.

Aria ran through the rows and rows of plants, just small enough to squeeze through the junipers. I'm extremely grateful to Nana for the bright red hat because I would always spot her, trailing after her brother, stomping along in puddles, just over a few rows as I navigated the cart. She consistently 'sampled' flower blossoms, bringing me small handfuls of petals with a sweet and sincere smile, saying, "Pretty!"

Our strawberry pot. Now I know, we'll get like 4 strawberries total, but if we achieve that, it will be worth it!

I must have filled each of the small pots twice with dirt, and Roland dumped them each time. Totally fine, he was doing a great job. So serious!

Roland, a lover of all things color and texture, couldn't stop touching and asking questions, which was wonderful. This is just the place for his exploring mind! When we reached the green house full of annuals, vegetables and herbs it really clicked for him. Once he realized that the plants were situated in containers in trays, labeled with perfect pictures of what the plant would grow into and the cart was at the end of the row...plants were flying into the cart. "Mom look! We can grow broccoli!" If he recognized the plant, "Yellow peppers!" it was likely being tossed into the cart. "Oooh, isn't this pretty!" I put back all sorts of interesting plants, which I'm sure we'll try at some time, but this year we are attempting (in pots): strawberries, red and green bell peppers, zucchini, cucumbers and two varieties of tomatoes. We also buy annuals for the front yard and one cucumber and tomato plant to give to Great Grandpa Arvil. (Keeps him up and out the door to check on them!)

Not sure what I am grinning about, probably just watching the kids.

This is Aria, running out of water in her bucket to paint with...

We explored and explored and explored. And when it was finally time to check out, the kids cheeks red from the heat, Anja laying happily by the checkout counter with her new friend Bella, the kids were treated by one of the workers with Popsicles. I wish I had a camera at that moment, seeing Aria try to understand her first push-pop. Getting Roland to show her how was the only way she would try it. The next freeze frame in my mind is the two of them sitting in the shaded doorway, covered in fruit syrup, watching us load up the car. (I think Anja enjoyed herself, she was the queen of the place.)

Explaining to me that I need to refill the watering can and then refill her bucket. She was not amused when I told her to wait...and there's Roland, moving dirt again.

Aria did pretty good at 'setting' (more like tossing) the plants into the hole I dug.

We potted, planted, moved dirt, watered, potted and planted some more. We have no expectations for our garden, anything beats last year! But it's a treat when the kids get home from school to send them out back with their watering cans to water the plants, and eventually, pick the 'harvest'.

My sweet little dirt urchin that doesn't like worms!

There's no grand lesson here, just summer fun. And speaking of summer fun, here's a fun activity we learned from Grandma Joan - brilliant - painting the fence with paint brushes and water. Endless and harmless good times!

Massive concentration.

Notice the focus.

Less into the painting, more into the spilling.

Working hard to get just the right angle.

And on a funny note, this was kinda our first day of spring. It was in the high 80s, a break from the 90s that blistered us the day before. We could really use a true spring this year! (As I write this the wind and rain is pelting the office window.)

So, I'll let you know in a couple months what lived, and what died. What the dogs ate and what was an amazing success. There's some dill by the front door that just might be the best plant to place your bet on!