Very lovely! Happy Easter to you as well.

That photo makes me want to plant all over my front yard.

Now that is a picture to warm the heart, Jackie. I'll just enjoy your beautiful scene without having to worry about the tremendous work you've put in to create all this loveliness. Happy Easter!

Ingrid

Happy Easter to all.
Easter here isn't until the 3rd - 6th May and I still won't be able to find any hot cross buns. I do miss them.

I love seeing your garden photos Jackie. They are always gorgeous.
Daisy

Beautiful Jackie, thanks! I looked longingly at the bulbs and other color, then thought, "what would I HAVE to do to grow something like this?" WATER. Per Wunderground, the rainfall for San Rafael to date is 3.26" (whatever 'to date' period they are using is). Mine for Encino is .69". I guess I shall have to continue enjoying your scene vicariously! Thanks. Kim

Kim, they must be using 2013 to date - that sounds about right. Our water folks use "season to date", and they define "season" as July 1 to June 30th, because we usually don't get any rain here after May, and that way they can start counting when it is during the dry season.

Our "season to date" number is about 24" (most of which fell in Nov and Dec) which believe it or not is below normal!

Ingrid, actually once it is planted, the area only gets weeded about twice a year, and fed once. I prune or tidy the roses about once a year. We do irrigate it during our dry season, but that is automatic. So, it is really not much work at all. The bulbs take care of themselves. It took me some years to figure out which ones would come back in our climate (freezias, sparaxis, some species tulips - not big ones, some kinds of daffodils that like warm climates, and of course iris.

Jackie

Well, as far as rain totals are concerned, I AM jealous! We are at less than one-third of your total for the "year". That HURTS. Kim

Jackie, that is lovely, lovely, lovely!

As to water for the 2012-2013 season, here in the San Jose area we are just a bit over 9 inches so far. I am hoping we will make it to 10 inches before the season ends, although of course more would be better. Our average is about 15 inches. I'm only a little more than an hour away from Jackie (with no traffic) but we have a completely different weather pattern.

Jackie, that is a beautiful shot, it would be a pleasure to walk it. I guess the gal pipe at the top of the shot is the water line to the outer sidewalk.

Regards, David in Oz

We've had only a fraction of the needed rainfall so I'm praying for a rainy Easter!

Jackie, from what you've described you're getting a lot of effect for not that much effort and that must make you a very good gardener. Bravo!

Ingrid

That's so beautiful! Can you come decorate my yard with some beautiful flowers like that?Jk. but seriously it's beautiful!

David in OZ - no, that very visible pipe at the top is not the water line (the water line runs under the sidewalk, courtesy of my DH). It is a construction the CIty put there to hold up the telephone/power line pole. You can see the wire running diagonally up to the pole. Some people do not like them, and grow vines like Morning Glory up them, but my DH said to take pity on the linemen who have to climb the poles, so we leave it alone.

Jackie

So lovely and welcoming, Jackie! Thank you and Happy Easter to all!

Jackie, very pretty. I envy the bulbs and flowers too! Can't do that too much here, but I try. Our average is a little over 8 inches per year and we've gotten a little over 3 so far. We had a huge rain a couple weeks ago. Around here, you remember the rains because they happen so infrequently, I guess.

I've lived in San Jose and Santa Rosa, and love the climate of northern California, particularly Sonoma County, but too expensive:(

How luscious!!

Jackie, Just so lovely and peaceful.
Happy Easter all.
Jeannie

Well, as far as rain totals are concerned, I AM jealous! We are at less than one-third of your total for the "year". That HURTS. Kim

Happy Easter to you, too, Jackie, and to everybody on the forum! Your picture is lovely!
Melissa

Jackie, the photo is welcomed and inspiring. Happy Easter to you too!

Jackie that's a lovely photo. Happy Easter to you and everyone.
I guess I shouldn't complain about getting "only" 42 inches of rain so far.