Dilly Dilly, Dilly Dally

Ah spring. That time of year when a homeowner's fancy turns to all the hard work it will take to make the front yard look nicer than their neighbor's. I would like to get started now, but there was frost on the ground again last night. But I noticed yesterday that the wild violets are coming up through the moss in my front yard. They make a beautiful display so, of course, I won't be able to mow until they are done blooming.
That's the thing with naturalizing a landscape. The time when traditional chores can be tackled is limited to a few hours every few weeks. I gave up the daily struggle to nurture grass long ago, mostly because Jerry was so embarrassed when I turned the lawn black by applying iron. In my cool, shady yard, those are the alternatives: the yellow-green, healthy moss or black, dead moss. I thought it was fun applying iron. It proved that I was really trying.
But I don't mind the moss much either, if only I could figure out a way to make it look planned. The back yard was easy. It went from grass that needed mowing to forest floor in a couple of years. So far I have kept the front lawn open and flat so that I can play kick ball with Ryanne.
In past years I have gotten rid of noxious weeds by pulling them, but this year I think I will have a yard of top soil delivered. Then plant a few butterfly bushes, heather, and Andromeda, haul in a nice size bird bath, some garden gnomes, and call it good.
I would be doing all that today if only it wasn't frosty cold and the violets are about to bloom.
Nancy Sherer