THURSDAY IN THE GARDEN WITH DANTE: DANCES WITH TREES

Dante has been very busy in both the front and back yards this week.  He's had to contend with a lot of colder weather and some rain, but there were a few nice days when the sun came out, so he took advantage while he could.

There are some very important Spring rituals which Dante must PURRform in order for the trees and bushes to do well during the growing season.  In general, I refer to this ritual as "Dances with Trees".  Some people dance with stars, and some with wolves, but Dante dances with trees.

Dante feels it is important to love your trees by giving them extra attention and affection.  They like it when you talk to them, and give them a hug.  Dante is a very "paws on"  kind of gardener.  And everything grows better when it has a good self-esteem.

Here is Dante giving a hug to his favourite tree in the front yard.

And then he "PAWSes" to have a little chat.

"How's it goin' aftah such a hard wintah?", asks he.

Then Dante turns his attention to the bushes in the front garden bed.

"Did I MUNCHion dat I likes ta doos a taste-test?  It helps me ta judge da healf of da plant."

"Dey likes ta be nibbled", says Dante.  "Dey're kwite tickled by it -- an' it's fun fur me, too!"

"Dere's nuffin' like a liddle interactif play wif yoor bushes to stimulates dere growf!", declares Dante.

"My werk heer is done."

So, Dante takes a little break, then turns his attention to the crabapple tree in the back yard. 

"I missed yoo so much durin' da wintah", says Dante.  "Cum an' giffs me a big hug!"

"Duz yoo has any problems yoo'd like ta talk about?", asks Dante. 

But he is reassured that everything is A-OK!  So, he just gives the crabapple a little pat for good measure.

Dante then takes a look at the side yard which leads down to the garden gate.

"Da grass is growin' verreh nicely heer", says he, "doe it reely duz need a gud rakin'!  I will put in my recommendashuns to Daddy (but I feers dey may be ignored).

There's a lot of ground to cover, but Dante isn't one to lollygag (except when he's on Mommy's LOL-Spot).

(Biggify for the "Awe" factor")

"Well, dat's all fur dis week!", says Dante.  "I hopes yoo has lerned sumfing about how to luff up yoor trees.  An' maibe a dance step or two, too!"