"Mary, Mary, quite contrary: how does your garden grow?"

How does the garden grow? It is a question many in Newtown are asking as warmer weather calls out to the agrarian in all of us. We have spent hours poring over richly colored seed catalogs in the short, dark days of winter. Flats of seedlings have been planted and they are stretching their spindly necks toward the light.

The lengthening days beckon us to the tasks of raking, weeding, tilling, sowing, and planting. Pruning puts the overgrown shrub back in its place, and in some cases, the shovel is employed to remove those plants that have overstayed their welcome.

Now is when we step back to assess how the garden grows. With the landscape still laid bare by winter's hand, we can see what works, and what does not.

We ponder the placement of new perennials, asking ourselves if they benefit the overall vision of the garden. How even one plant contributes to the beauty of a garden is thoughtfully considered. The textures and colors the gardener selects are paramount to pleasing the eye of the beholder, as each season unfolds.

We trust that town planners are taking as much care with the development of Newtown. Weeding out plans that fail to meet prescribed criteria, seeing that blight does not blossom in undeveloped plots, and supporting solid regulations that allow for thoughtful placement of new businesses and homes contributes to positive growth, just as does the wise selection of shrubs in the garden.

What is left behind and what is encouraged to flourish can make or break a town as easily as it can a garden. Does a new development or enterprise enhance the character of Newtown? Is the placement ideal or does it steal the show from established growth?

As any gardener knows, even carefully considered additions can be in error; but what puts down roots is not so easily dislodged.

We are planting perennials in this town - developments and retail spaces that must fit the vision of what Newtown is or can be.

It is up to Newtown's caretakers to see that what we tamp into the earth is less the "snips and snails and puppy dog tails" of another nursery rhyme of yore, and more of Mary's "pretty maids all in a row."