That first one: it came up not in the Root Riot plug but tucked down the side of it.

The next came up today from where it was supposed to.

I searched for images of the cotyledons of both: turns out some varieties of sunflowers do closely resemble some varieties of zucchini at that stage.

So whether those big first leaves are of the squash I planted or if that seed was plucked out and a wandering one from last year helpfully tucked back in by a jay, I’ll have to wait for the true leaves to tell.

I suddenly wondered if my nose would know and took a deep breath. It was very familiar. I’ve planted both before. Yup. It’s definitely one or the other.

I had only planted two zucchinis, then did a third Wednesday after that first one came up so oddly placed–because who needs more than one zucchini plant in their garden? Two was pushing it, but I really ought to have a backup.

Said the woman who had one long ago that vanished bit by bit and then in its entirety down a gopher hole. It was like a Bugs Bunny cartoon come to life.

That reminds me. I need to go buy gopher cages to put them to ground in. Locally invented.

I can just see that bunny out under the mandarin tree rubbing its paws in gleeful anticipation.