A garden is the place millions of people go to touch the earth, to smell flowers - to use some of that fabled human brainpower in the cause of better participating with natural processes in the place they call home. It serves as an art project, an organic produce market, a spiritual practice, a pharmacy. It offers ongoing lessons in ecology, biology, chemistry, geology, meteorology. Gardening imparts an organic perspective on the passage of time. It bestows on its practitioners a genuine sense of admiration for the plants, the soil, the sun, the water. - Jim Nollman

Northern Illinois has been in some degree of drought for several years.  Of the last ten years, three have been severe droughts.  My garden is changing.  Except for new plants and transplants, I don't water.  I've lost some plants but most survive.  Empty spots are now being filled with prairie plants or drought tolerant plants.  Annuals in pots do get watered and tomatoes are pampered but the rest of the garden must adjust to a natural water supply.  These drought years have been very stressful for me, I worry about loosing trees and shrubs as well as garden perennials.  The garden looked dry and sear most summers.  Now I realize we all must adjust to the "new" weather patterns.  Some states, California to name the worst, are running out of water to drink.  Things might get much worse for all of us.  

Now comes the spring of 2015 which is bringing a much improved rain pattern.   It's been many years since  we've had a wetter or a cooler spring.     The garden and I love this weather.  The forecasters say we may have an  El Nino in the making to thank for this, so bless you little child and please come back often.

I have a lot of blue in my garden right now.  

A garden isn't meant to be useful.  It's for joy.-   Rumer Godden

 Replaced some Penstemon lost to  drought or a bitter cold winter.

Basket of annuals with a halo of sun behind.

Spent the day mulching, transplanting and potting annuals.  Took a break and sat during a brief moment of sunshine between the gathering storm clouds. I watch the birds.  Always busy moving, gathering, defending, building. Do you ever wonder if they are happy or just going about their lives on a pre-programed auto pilot.  We will never know if  they are enjoying the spring as much as we are. 

We've been blessed with more rain than usual this spring.  Beautiful storm clouds roll across the field  just north of the house.