Yesterday I had three Liatris delivered --bare root-- and got them in the ground today. I really don't like getting bare-root plants, as I've had some very bad luck with them actually growing. We'll see if these make it.

I was going to mow today --the grass and dandelions are really getting out of hand, but the mower wouldn't start. It's battery needs a little push, I think. Rob is going to see if he can pick up a battery charger tomorrow, since this seems to happen each spring.

The garlic mustard is getting out of hand too. Emma and I pulled a big patch of it a few days ago, but I need to get some Round-up on that patch, because I'm sure we missed some roots (it was hard to get to, in the woods) and even the tiniest bit will grow back again, flower, and leave 500 seeds in its wake. Most of our property we can't protect, but the woods near the garden we try to keep clear, so that we don't have to fight it in the garden itself.

Life has been a bit busy for enjoying the gardens the last week or so. I bought some basil and a few annuals about a week ago, but they're still sitting in their box on the porch because there hasn't been time to do anything with them. The tulips are done, which is the end of the spring bulbs; the bleeding heart and grape hyacinth are beautiful right now. Usually the next thing to bloom is the iris, but not till the middle of May. The Korean Spice Bush by the office window has it's three heavenly-smelling blossoms, but the Service Berry tree didn't bloom much this year.

We had some days in the high 70's last week, but today (and tomorrow) are in the upper 50's, so it's been back to spring. It was windy today, but still nice. Rob used the weedwacker and chainsaw for the first times, and burned another big brush pile. Emma and Kirsten played outside all day, while Erin and I worked on our courses.

Emma and I put some towels out over the hostas since it's supposed to frost tonight. I hope the bleeding hearts will be okay.

We're having another series of hots days --in the 80's. But it supposed to cool back down into the 50's and 60's this weekend --good gardening weather. Above is the view of the garden bench I'm posting several times a month so I can see how it changes over the spring and summer. And above that is a picture of one of the heather plants with a sprinkling of flowers.

It's a gorgeous day! Rob is burning the pile behind the garden, and cleaning up various branches that have fallen over the winter. Emma is helping. She also helped me give Albert (our trumpet vine) a trim. The daffodils and tulips made it through the frost/freeze a couple of nights ago, and everything looks beautiful.

Above are two pictures of Albert, the trumpet vine. The top one is from today, after I'd given him a trim.

Apparently it snowed early this morning --I'm glad I wasn't awake to see it. It's in the 30's outside, with a brisk northwest wind making it feel colder. A good day to stay inside.

I did, however, go out and spray Liquid Fence on the new growth --especially the tulips, since they haven't bloomed yet and the bunnies love them. It's supposed to be back in the 50's tomorrow, and I'm sure the bunnies will be out and nibbling again.

One good thing about the cooler weather is that the daffodils and hyacinth will last longer.

Just a couple of photos today. The tulips were blowing in the wind, so it was impossible to get a good focus.

Spring Rain

Today was much cooler --it got up to 59 this afternoon after the sun came out. We got a nice soaking rain last night, and some of the daylilies look like they grew several inches overnight. Everything just looked so green this morning.

I was going to write more yesterday, but that's what happens when Emma is on spring break.

Today we've had some clouds and quite a strong consistent wind, so it hasn't felt as hot outside. I actually watered the peonies on the west side --that ground is so yucky, and they just looked parched. I also added more mulch to places in the birch bed --I think I've almost re-mulched the whole thing. Even the hosta are coming up there, because of these hot days. I managed to dig up a few of the squill from the corner and transplant them: near the crocus and allium in the northwest bed, by the birch trees, and just behind the corner of the fence by the swing bench.

I don't understand why, but both the redbud and pussy willow we planted last year appear to be dead. The pussy willow is likely from the rabbit damage over the winter, but I don't understand why the redbud died. I want to replace the pussy willow (and then protect it over the winter) but I'm wondering if we should try some other ornamental tree in the spot where the redbud is.

Too hot too soon!

Yesterday was hot. Today is going to be hotter --85! I'm not used to the heat, and I don't particularly like being all sticky again so fast. The daffodils don't like it either --they go way too fast. We could use some rain, too.