Lotsa rain, and garden lust

Well, 4 inches of rain later...everything looks freshly scrubbed and relieved. Quick update: -- The rosemary I transplanted to the back herb bed from the front: DEAD. I am the rosemary-killer. Is it a coincidence that my Mom's name is rosemary? I don't think so. -- Growing your own lettuce and chard from seed: rocks. It's immense fun to go out and pick a salad. --- Roses in the back: sprouting new leaves, unless it's wishful thinking -- Allium in the front path bed are coming up. The ones I planted in the two foundation beds aren't showing any signs, but they were a different variety I think. No ipheion yet either. Saturday, Mike and I went to The Natural Gardener on a whim. What an inspiration! Beautiful, organic, native plantings everywhere. Lush veggie garden. Gorgeous herb bed. Roses out the wazoo. We came home with an onion set, 3 baby strawberry plants, turkey compost, a seed-starting flat, some seeds and a big red glazed pot for a future dracaena in the living room, which I've been trying to find for a long time. Heaven! It's kind of a drive out there, but The Natural Gardener is the prettiest, smartest garden center I've ever been to.