By the solar calendar’s reckoning, spring begins around February 4th. Some may find this preposterous. How can it be that spring begins in such cold, dark days? Yet, everything must begin somewhere. Even the mighty river must form from a trickle. February is that trickle. Perhaps, even that droplet.

Tomatoes ripening on the vine symbolize all which is good of the summer season. Tomatoes ripening on the vine, catching the light of the summer sun, shining like a beacon against the cement shadows of New York City symbolize a gardener who has found their joy. Gardening, no matter the location, no matter the space. And, their joy becomes my joy.

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate. . ."

These are the opening lines of Shakespeare's 18th Sonnet, one of his most famous. The comparison to a summer's day is less favorable during a heatwave, I think. It's not hard to be lovelier and more temperate than a day with triple-digit heat!

Despite my ups and downs in the tree pits, every year I learn a new lesson. Last year's lesson? Plant drought-resistant seeds. This year's lesson? Don't be lazy and be sure to put up lots of signage.

Something I looked forward to every summer was going up and picking huge bowlfuls of blackberries. They were so huge and sweet! My grandmother and her faithful dog, Rusty Dusty, would keep me company.

One of the kigo we explored in this episode was banryoku, which translates to a thousand shades of green. This is the season of green, isn't it? Certainly, summer will bring it its new shades and variations, but right now everything is fresh and alive.