THE LOVING W As Told by KD
A SPRING GARDENING GUIDE GROW YOUR GREEN THUMB THIS SPRING
Hi Fur-iends! My name is KD Hop on Pop. I’m super proud of my name — it’s different and fun! Back when my mom and dad first adopted me in Lodi, California, my mom was a teacher. At the time, the students in her class were reading “Hop on Pop” by Dr. Seuss — and the name stuck mainly because my official adoption date just happened to be Dr. Seuss’ birthday!
OH NO! I just dropped my last quarter!
I recently celebrated my 11th birthday, and while I’m a California girl at heart, I’ve spent a few (colder) years here, too. I admit, the snow came as a shock to me because all I knew was the beach and exploring on the rocks while looking for sea urchins, but I quickly adjusted. Now that I’m used to the snow and the cold on my paws, I run around in the backyard, chasing squirrels. I have yet to catch one, and I’m unsure what I’d do if I ever did. However, my mom says my tail picks up a “rooster tail” of snow as I wade through it — oops!
Spring is in the air; the chirping birds and warm air call you outdoors. It’s the perfect time to start your garden. Even as a beginning gardener, you can find plants and flowers to bring you joy throughout the summer. Carrots and radishes are quick, easy, and grow well in most areas. Carrots are versatile veggies great for snacking and cooking; even your dogs will love them! They need to be planted early, though, as they take about three months to germinate. Radishes are cool-season vegetables you can start indoors and plant outside after the last frost. Other vegetables can be started from seeds indoors in late February to early March. Try cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, leeks, endive, and lettuce. Later, in mid to late March, you can start peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, Swiss chard, and tomatillos indoors. Wait to plant your seeds and seedlings in the ground until two weeks after the last frost. Some early cold-tolerant vegetables, like cabbage, broccoli, and head lettuce, can go in the ground early to mid-March. Heat-loving plants like peppers, okra, and eggplant that grow slowly can also be planted in March. Tomatoes are the stars of many gardens. It is best to wait until early April to plant them, though. They are like Goldilocks and prefer everything just right — not too cold or hot.
KD at Pescadero Beach, CA
Carrot and Catnip Cat Treats
Inspired by Epicuricloud.com
If you want to be your cat’s absolute favorite human, bake these catnip treats; they won’t be able to resist!
We can’t talk about gardening without giving a few helpful tips for adding color. Plant hydrangea, aster, pansy, sweet peas, garden mums, and Oriental lilies in the spring to invite pollinators and provide blooming color throughout the summer. Spring bulbs, like crocus and daffodils, are the first to bloom. Sometimes, they will even bloom when there is a bit of snow on the ground. But it is best to plant bulbs in the fall so they have time to settle in their roots. A gardener’s best friend is the USDA Hardiness Zone Map. Since most states include three different growing zones, it is a handy resource to choose the best plants for your area. The website at PlantHardiness.ars.usda.gov has a wealth of information, including tips for easy maintenance. So, grab your gloves, get your seeds, and enjoy watching your garden grow!
Ingredients
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2 tbsp coconut oil
1 cup oat flour, plus more as needed
1 tbsp dried catnip
3/4 cup finely shredded carrot
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Cold water as needed
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