What a winter it has been, but the sun is shining brightly today, in fact it’s just at the right spot to be shining down on me through the skylight as I sit here on the couch with my laptop, and it feels delightful. We have had a long, cold winter, one of those winters that makes me wish that I had become involved in more winter sports as I was growing up.
The bulbs are all out of the ground now, and crucuses are all blooming. Purples, whites and yellows. So are my grape hyacinths. I removed the leaves from my herb and vegetable garden, and began to consider whether to move that to the back to a new spot that was formed by the installation of our new septic system last year. All of the herbs except the mint and lemon balm are showing, as is the rhubarb, the snow and cold have either enhanced the beauty and healthy look of the plants, or it is enhanced by the contrast after the winter.
On the “inside” front, it’s time to begin our annual war against the carpenter ants. They are making their appearance now that the weather is warm, we will have to do something soon to eliminate them, but today, it’s just get them as I see them, one by one. I don’t know whether we have more of them because we are in a log home, or others suffer with them just as much, you tell me, but even they are a sign of Spring in their own pesty little way.
I hope you are enjoying your gardens! What are you planting this year? How are your gardens growing?
Here is a picture of some of the crocuses, no, didn’t get the leaves raked off this garden yet:-)
PLEASE, DO NOT rake out the dead leaves from your garden bed & flower beds! They are FREE wonderful fertilzer and mulch (that holds water and nourishment) for your plants! If you do not like the look of “Forest Floor” decor in your beds than you can still leave them there for all their benefits and cover them with other mulch of your choosing…remember if you rake them out it gives the weeds more light and room to florish!
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:45 amHi Lisa,
I understand what you’re saying and why you are saying it, but I will be working the soil a bit and planting my annuals and veggies in it, and then adding mulch.
At the end of the season we pile the leaves on thick, and they need removing before I can do anything in the garden.
Thank you for stopping by and for your comment. Happy gardening!
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:55 amOh my this site is awesome. I can be a better gardener just by visiting this site regularly. Once again, you have provided powerful content for us babyboomers who want to keep learning. Thanks.
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:00 pmAlso the flower in this post is breath taking.
Thank you, Rosie, that is a compliment coming from a blogger like you:-)
I’ll bet the plants are further along in your part of NJ, we drive down the hill (we’re at 900 feet, hubby says that’s nothing…but he’s from Colorado:-) and in just that change of elevation the difference is amazing, buds on the trees tightly closed for the most part up here, but all budding red clusters down the hill.
Thanks for stopping by!
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:36 pmClaudia
We’re battling a way with ants this year in our home. We don’t usually. They’re driving me crazy! Even got into my urn of water that I use for making our coffee. Perhaps it’s because of the drought and extreme heat conditions we’ve had although it is cooler now and we are getting rain.
April 4th, 2009 at 7:40 amHi Kathie,
Your Australian weather has been the opposite of what we have experienced here this winter. My husband went around with a turkey baster and put Diatomaceous Earth (dry powdery) in all the cracks and crevices that I’ve seen them coming in and out of two days ago and yesterday the difference was dramatic, only one ant. That doesn’t mean that we won’t see them come from some other area of the house, but it’s a start! The D. Earth is all natural, a non-chemical solution. Best of success in fighting the battle!
April 4th, 2009 at 10:59 amI just knew I would be spending this week doing some gardening. Yesterday it was in the mid 70s. Today it’s barely reached 50 and the wind is howling like March winds are known to do. I used to brag about my beautiful front lawn garden but weather changes over the years have made me a little more lazy. I am still planning to plant some azaleas though.
April 7th, 2009 at 1:48 pmHi Beverly, hope your computer is treating you well these days. Yes, same here, we had a beautiful day on Sunday, and did clear some leaves off the property and walked around looking at what’s sprouting. Then yesterday rain and today it sounds like parts of the US, perhaps here included, have freeze warnings. Such is the unpredictable weather of spring. Thanks for stopping by!
April 7th, 2009 at 2:03 pm