Here's what our garden looked like almost exactly a year ago, April 16, 2010:



And here's what our garden looks like today, April 19, 2011:



(the tarp is holding some mulch that will go around the tiny plants in the back when they're bigger.)

The biggest difference is the strawberries, which are much healthier this year! But even the rhubarb seems larger. I don't know if it's because we had an earlier spring or because they are more established--probably a combination.

Even more exciting is a raspberry comparison. Last year, we had six plants, most of which looked about like this on May 1, 2010:



Today, we have over 20 plants. Here's most of the patch:



Let's get a few more of this year's highlights so far. Here's a close-up of the rhubarb, just because it's so big, beautiful, and green (and potentially tasty):



Some of our lettuce that survived the winter:



Some peas, which are planted all around the garden and in pots such as this one along the fence:



A close-up of a small portion of our large patch of lily-of-the-valleys at the back corner of the house, which are just starting to open with their intoxicating smell:



And the tail end of the tulips in the front:



We hope to plant most of the rest of our seedlings--basil, cilantro, three kinds of tomatoes, and eggplant (only leaving three kinds of peppers, which don't like the cold)--this weekend. That is, of course, if it ever stops raining.

Fortunately, there's always something to do inside when it's raining, like read a good book.



Or, if you prefer, collapse behind one.