Homework

Always do your homework. That's what I tell myself every time I receive another shipment from the nursery; that's the advice I gave myself as I shook my head over the Canadian Hemlocks, of which I ordered and planted forty. There's a family of deer in the woods behind our house, and Canadian Hemlocks are evidently a particularly tasty treat for deer. So far the Hemlocks survive, though brown and sad-looking. I think they are too crunchy for the deer to bother, though if they do live and flourish, the deer will most likely chomp them to stubs.

Downstairs in my laundry tub, five Lombardy Poplars are soaking their roots. I even turned on the jet streams and some jazz so they could really relax before taking their place in our side yard.

In the meanwhile I dashed upstairs to check planting distances. A few seconds on Google retrieved the following information: Lombardy Poplars are a pestilence! They grow quickly to an incredible height and then die, leaving you with invasive roots and skeletons. Indeed the Lombardy poplar is one of the WORST trees a bumbling gardener can plant: "I have never recommended, at least while conscious, a poplar," Horticulturist Mike Durr commented.

I am such a bumbling gardener. I am the worst of bumbling gardeners, wooed by SpringHill Nursery's jolly promises of a quick windscreen. Why wasn't I suspicious of too much good too soon? Why?!

Hopefully I checked the "Redeeming Features" column only to read: "No redeeming features found. Many horticulturists consider the tree taboo with too many associated problems to ever consider planting." (see Steve Nix's advice before you buy five Lombardy poplars!)

Not even Chidester the Gumberry can help me now.

You think I would have learned back in third grade to do some homework. Meanwhile, what to do with the trees? Should I sneak into my neighbor's yard and plant them in the dead of night? Seems such a shame to waste them. . .A thought occurs that maybe we would have moved on by the time said poplars die. Is this like polluting the atmosphere with no thought for your children?

Anyone want five soggy Lombardy poplar trees?

Sigh.

Maybe the deer will eat them.

In other news, Merry has created a new song: "One, two, three, Freakout!" She told me Freakout was a sort of machine, and informed me she had learned that word from Daddy. Yesterday Elspeth ate more paint, this time green, and in a fit of despondancy over spring taking her time, I painted verdant leaves up my kitchen wall.

Let me add: the Art Show is looking fantastic! Look for it tomorrow or at the latest, Friday. There's still a minute for you to squeeze in an entry if you wish!