Rake vs. Divot, part two

Rocky Mountain Little Sunflower (Helianthella uniflora), sprouting from one of my divots.

Back last November I made a post comparing two methods for planting native seeds, whether you scratch the surface of the dirt and rake the seeds into the top 1/4 inch or so, or dig a little divot, fluff up the soil, and put the seeds in that.  I think most/many native plants around here prefer the former method, but since I adopted it (from the advice of more knowledgeable native plant folks), there are some plants that just don't seem to sprout that way.  One is this perennial, Rocky Mountain Little Sunflower, which I haven't gotten to sprout for years, so I thought I'd go back to the divot method.  And now I have a bunch of little seedlings.  I think Gaillardia and Scarlet gilia also prefer this method...Next fall I will try planting those in divots as well.

Gourd banjo puppy whispering

He's been with us five days, a little eight-week-old border collie puppy named Paddy, born the day before St. Paddy's Day.  He's really a great little guy, but he has been pretty intense, too.  This is to be expected with border collies, and it's what's wonderful about them, in fact.  So, I thought I would introduce the musical components of our world gradually.  He heard the violin a few days ago and didn't freak out, then today I was playing the gourd banjo on the couch when he came in room and heard it for the first time.  He got all giddy for a few minutes...I was worried...but then he came over and curled up at my feet and dozed for a half hour while I played.  The last few tunes going on this CD are approved by Paddy.