Is it just me, or does something come over you this time of year & just gives you the urge to dig in the dirt?? And when you get out & see all those blooms & blossoms in the nurseries, it really kicks into gear…I want them all! I visited a delightful nursery here in AL yesterday. Went with a ladies group down to Petals from the Past in Jemison, AL (about an hour south of B’ham) …a wonderful family-owned nursery that was just amazing. I had heard all about it, but this was my first visit. I was in for a treat! We got the grand tour from the owner (who has a degree in landscape design & horticulture). He & his wife own the nursery & treat you like you’re family. We all got some great advice from Jason, the owner & he took time to answer any questions we had. One thing that really amazed me & I thought it was genius…they grow blackberries on vines just like grapes grow, so that there are rows in between, no weeds or snakes, & you just walk along picking the berries…all neat & orderly, how cool is that? He told us that they get ripe around May & you can go & pick to your hearts content, so guess where me and DH will be heading soon?! There were also fig trees & blueberries in abundance, all for picking when harvest time comes. I would definitely recommend going there if you haven’t been & live in the area….it is truly a treat. I bought some reseeding annuals that he showed us growing in the yard….I’m all about reseeding plants! The house that you see, which is now the nursery store, was an old farmhouse that they moved to the property…it was once a few miles down the road. It has an old-fashioned feel & they sell old-fashioned heirloom plants that your granny might have grown. Lots of old roses for the rose lovers out there. Me…I stick to Knock-Out roses that are easy to take care of…I’m a little leery of growing roses, cause I’ve heard how hard they are to take care of. It’s a charming place to visit & they have lots of great garden ornaments too. Oh, and all their plants are grown in AL, which has to be a good thing. Hope some of you get there one day!
DH & I had a real bunny spotting last night right after dinner…we’ve been wondering when they would come out again this year…and then, there he was in the backyard. We had so much fun last year watching 3 bunnies frolic around in the backyard, putting on a show for us! They are so darn cute! I scared him when the flash went off…and away he scampered, but I know he will be back. 
Who likes asparagus?? We sure do! Just a quick recipe to share with y’all…I watched Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee recently & she did these roasted asparagus. I used her exact recipe, but left off the kalamata olives she added. These are SO delish (as Rachel would say!)…asparagus must be in season right now, cause it’s been really cheap lately & I’ve been buying it for about 4 weeks now. This recipe is one of the best I’ve found, I always have just steamed it before, but this one is great.
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Chop ends off asparagus, drizzle with a little olive oil, place on baking sheet (so they are all spread out), sprinkle with lemon pepper, bake for about 12-15 min. until crisp tender. Try it…it’s SO yummy!
Happy Gardening Everyone! 
Oooh, love asparagus sooo much!
In fact we have much in common… so excited to have found you through your comment on Sandy’s blog!
I too, just turned 50… love all the things you love!
I’ll be back Rhoda!
Come see me if you’d like!
Hi Rhoda, Just read your article about Petals form the Past and decided to join. I own the Bed & Breakfast in Jemsion called the Magnolia Rose Manor. I have an acre of beautiful gardens that Jason and Shelly have helped me with. They have guest from out of state that come to Alabama and they stay with us. I would like to invite to come to the Inn the next time you come. Tour our gardens. I love your recipe for asparagus. Contact me when you have time. ps I love Petals they are wonderful.