It's 53 degrees this afternoon, and overcast. It would be a nice day to work outside, but I have so much prep to do. Maybe I can work out there after Emma and Rob get home.
Yesterday I found the new bulbs (crocus, I think) coming up on the northwest corner, near the siberian iris that Lisa gave me last year. The other type of bulb I planted there (and I can't remember what it was) is not showing yet. Emma also found the purple crocus blooming in the east bed --they are always the first. I found the bare beginnings of a tulip and daffodil in the birch bed today. Oh, and the snow drop is blooming beautifully in the woods, and squill is filling in fast.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Early Cleaning
It's 55 degrees this afternoon. Rob and Chris inspected the hives (Chris lost one over the winter, so there are only two at the moment), and I began to do some bed cleaning. I don't want to do too much yet, I know it's still early. It's very tempting, though. I got about half of the pile of leaves into the new bed on the northeast corner, and I got the tomato beds cleaned up. I cleaned a bit where the crocus are starting to peek up, but I was careful not to really uncover them. Reading last years posts makes me realize how early it still is. I also managed to prune the flowering quince, so it's a bit thinned out.
The average snow for March is 5 inches --we've had none so far. I'm sure some will sneak in during the second half of the month. I have a lot more energy than last summer, and I'm grateful. We're supposed to be in the fifties until Weds, and then go back to typical March 40's.
The average snow for March is 5 inches --we've had none so far. I'm sure some will sneak in during the second half of the month. I have a lot more energy than last summer, and I'm grateful. We're supposed to be in the fifties until Weds, and then go back to typical March 40's.
A new year
Planting, spring 2009
Purchased plants:
Goldenrod – three plants, try one in walnut bed.
Spiderwort –this one has blue flowers, but almost yellow leaves.
Tomatoes –see below for types.
Purchased seeds:
Cardinal climber –for the fence. Could be the one behind the daylilies, since it says this will grow/flower in partial shade. Otherwise, the one that blocks the street.
Zinna
Cosmos
March 5, 2009
We are having our first really warm day today. It’s hard not to go outside and look for green tips, but since it’s the first warm day, they are unlikely. Still . . .
It’s very windy, and I had to pick up all the recyclables and put them back in their can.
Well, I’m back in from outside, and sure enough the lilies are showing their tips. The yellow tulips between the birch trees are also showing the merest tip. The ground is still plenty frozen, however, below an inch or so.
I just ordered some daylilies and another purple coneflower from Roots & Rhizomes. The daylilies (3 of each, one yellow, one orange) are to go behind the sedum right next to the garden bench. I’ve got some bearded iris in there now, which aren’t doing well, so I’ll take them out. I’ve had trouble growing anything in the back part of that bed –even the bee balm died out. But daylilies are tough, so they’ll probably do okay back there.
The purple coneflower is to go where the pussy willow tree failed.
March 8, 2009
Well, today is definitely not a warm day –37F at noon. Lots of rain! Lots yesterday too. The backyard is a pond (because the ground is still frozen) and the water we drained off the pool Friday has all be replace ☺
Still, at least it’s rain.
Purchased plants:
Goldenrod – three plants, try one in walnut bed.
Spiderwort –this one has blue flowers, but almost yellow leaves.
Tomatoes –see below for types.
Purchased seeds:
Cardinal climber –for the fence. Could be the one behind the daylilies, since it says this will grow/flower in partial shade. Otherwise, the one that blocks the street.
Zinna
Cosmos
March 5, 2009
We are having our first really warm day today. It’s hard not to go outside and look for green tips, but since it’s the first warm day, they are unlikely. Still . . .
It’s very windy, and I had to pick up all the recyclables and put them back in their can.
Well, I’m back in from outside, and sure enough the lilies are showing their tips. The yellow tulips between the birch trees are also showing the merest tip. The ground is still plenty frozen, however, below an inch or so.
I just ordered some daylilies and another purple coneflower from Roots & Rhizomes. The daylilies (3 of each, one yellow, one orange) are to go behind the sedum right next to the garden bench. I’ve got some bearded iris in there now, which aren’t doing well, so I’ll take them out. I’ve had trouble growing anything in the back part of that bed –even the bee balm died out. But daylilies are tough, so they’ll probably do okay back there.
The purple coneflower is to go where the pussy willow tree failed.
March 8, 2009
Well, today is definitely not a warm day –37F at noon. Lots of rain! Lots yesterday too. The backyard is a pond (because the ground is still frozen) and the water we drained off the pool Friday has all be replace ☺
Still, at least it’s rain.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Feels like spring
I just put in 4 new perennials (3 red cardinal flower, next to the fence and bench), so lets hope we don't have any more nights in the teens!
We have bluebirds back in the yard, and the goldfinches are bright yellow again. Things are still behind a bit --the daffodils and tulips are up but not blooming; all I have are crocus's, blue squill, and glory of the snow. And the two snowdrops the squirrels haven't eaten. I'm always a bit disappointed in the spring if I didn't plant any new bulbs in the fall, so this spring I'm a bit disappointed :-) They say it might be 70 degrees tomorrow. The river has completely sprung it's banks --right now you can only tell where the river bed is supposed to be by the tree lines. All the fields surrounding the river are completely under water. It's kind of cool.
We have bluebirds back in the yard, and the goldfinches are bright yellow again. Things are still behind a bit --the daffodils and tulips are up but not blooming; all I have are crocus's, blue squill, and glory of the snow. And the two snowdrops the squirrels haven't eaten. I'm always a bit disappointed in the spring if I didn't plant any new bulbs in the fall, so this spring I'm a bit disappointed :-) They say it might be 70 degrees tomorrow. The river has completely sprung it's banks --right now you can only tell where the river bed is supposed to be by the tree lines. All the fields surrounding the river are completely under water. It's kind of cool.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
In the garden
Today, after church, I finally got the obedient plant dug up and threw it in the compost. Amazingly misnamed, and a wretched plant. I actually have a pink one, with variegated foliage, but it's not very prolific or strong. It is actually coming back as a handful of growing tips this year, which it didn't do last year, so maybe it will be better. But it's nice to have the white one gone.
I didn't get the big sedum split though. Another day.
I didn't get the big sedum split though. Another day.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Sunshine on the ground
Yesterday was that back-end-of-the-low kind of day --cold northwest winds after storms the day before with a low pressure system. However, a small patch of yellow crocus bloomed in the back garden --a little patch of sunshine back there. It's supposed to keep warming, so the daffodils and tulips should start shooting up this week.
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