grandmother spider

Woke up early to start getting the drip and soaker set up in our little garden.  The lavender is just beginning to show a little purple, and random seeds are peaking out, anxious to meet the sun.

 I think today, I will go buy some companion plants, as a lot of our little babies are getting eaten up by some unseen pests!  So frustrating to grow something from seed and watch it be gone in one day. Urg! I did make some organic aphid spray which seems to have worked. I haven't seen any aphids in a couple of weeks. But something else is snacking on the lettuce, cucumber, flower babies and basil.  I do have a little helper in the garden when it comes to insect control:

Do you see her?

What about now?

There she is! I've been watching her grow right along side of the plants for a month or so. Every morning, she accompanies me while I water. She watches over the little plants, probably controlling the larger insects since she's such a big gal. I've been trying to identify her- maybe a "wolf" or "sac" spider? She doesn't run, just sits patiently amongst the plants (unless the drops of water get a little too close!). She is so amazingly big and beautiful-I feel so blessed that she made our little garden her stomping grounds.