Last Saturday morning was a lovely spring day. The sky was blue and there was just a touch of chill in the air. We had a great time walking to the Highlands' Arbor Day tree giveaway. Unfortunately, we got a late start and missed out on the Redbuds and Dogwood. Oh, well, maybe next year. At least that shows a lot of interest. Maybe some of these trees we've lost in the neighborhood will be replaced for the next generation to enjoy.

But we are now proud owners of a Shagbark Hickory and a Walnut tree. Someday these teeny tiny trees will be great big canopy trees with edible nuts. We'll probably be long gone - the Hickory is apparently a very slow grower.

Now we just need two things - some dry days and places to plant them. The arborist at the festival told us that we need to wait until it's dry enough that we can pick up some dirt and squeeze it without it compressing together into a clump. As far as where they'll go? I have no idea. Our yard is the size of a postage stamp and I'm trying to leave the small unshaded patch in the front as an unshaded patch so I can grow veggies. I think we'll clear away some brush and ivy in the back and put them there. 

 Then we walked to the Bardstown Road Farmers' Market. (As an aside, we were stopped several times by people asking directions to the Arbor Day thing.) Although the farmers' market doesn't ever really close, Saturday was the official opening day of the 2009 season. We arrived at about 11:30 or so and it looked like a lot of vendors were already sold out. The large size honey jug was sold out - the vendor said he wished he'd brought more cases. He was surprised at the interest.

We also stopped to talk to the guy from whom we buy our tomato plants. He had a good time poking fun at me for planting Roma seedlings. His exact words were, "Oh, you're planting the horrible tasting tomatoes!" But he gave me some good advice - don't spray them with a spray bottle. They don't like it when their leaves are wet. He also agreed that they're a good option for canning. He mentioned some good meaty heirloom tomatoes that might work, but said the acid content might not be suitable for canning. We'll return in a few weeks to pick up a tasty heirloom plant or two from him.

It's just nice to be out and about walking in our neighborhood. The community is coming back to life just like the Daffodils in the yard and we felt like part of it. Now today it's back to winter. :)