Well, it wasn't so bad --in fact, it's almost all gone.  We got sleet and some ice last night, and then only less than an inch of snow.  By the time we went out to lunch, it was 40 and melting.  They got a lot of snow south of here, in DeKalb.

The rest of this week is supposed to be pretty unsettled --rain and snow showers, but not stuff that will stick around.

Waiting for snow!

The forecast is for 3 to 6 inches.  Oh joy.  But the temps are supposed to be a bit above freezing for the week, so it'll melt quickly.  Still, it looks to be a bleak week.  There are two more wintry mix storms on the way for later in the week.

Today is more like the March I always expect --wet (although we got most of our rain, at least an inch, yesterday and last night) and cold.  It didn't quite make it to 40 degrees today.

One of the crocus on the NW corner opened and it's white.  I can't remember if they are all white or not.  Still no sign of the other bulb I planted there, and I'm not sure what it is.  

Tomorrow and Friday are supposed to be nicer, and hopefully I can get a little more garden cleaning done.  We need to start buying compost and mulch, too.

More green

We've had some nice days.  Yesterday I was able to do some more garden clean-up, getting the daylily and iris bed near the propane tank straightened up (one hyacinth is peeking up), and the daylily beds near the woodshed raked out.  I also re-mulched the two maple trees with the left-over mulch we have near the mudroom door.  It felt warm enough yesterday as we were working in the yard that I had to change to short sleeves and sandals.  Of course, as soon as I stopped working, I needed a fleece again.  I think it was in the low 50s.

We had our first bonfire yesterday, just having the Fishers over.  The stars were brilliant.

Keeping watch

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.

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.

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.