Spring Cleaning

Yesterday was a beautiful spring day so I decided to get a bit of work done outdoors.  It took several attempts to start the lawn mower after its winter hiatus but finally it started.  After cutting the lawns I hauled out the pressure washer to clean some of the winter grim from the windows and doors.  The maple trees are dropping seeds so I pulled a few of the tiny maple seedlings from a couple

Spring Bulb Naturalization

Years ago we had the wonderful opportunity to visit Parliament Hill during the spring when the crocuses were in bloom.  There were masses of them.  I immediately fell in love with the look vowing at some point to duplicate it at our home.  That was five houses ago and I still have not done this so it will be priority this fall at our new house.  Essentially what you do is grab a handful of crocus

First Daffodil of 2011

First Daffodil of 2011April 24, 2011
Look what blessed us with a cheery nod Easter Sunday!  The beautiful bright yellow was a much welcomed sight.  The weather was mild as well just perfect for sitting on the dock enjoying the sights and sounds of the water.  I spent a little time puttering amongst the raised beds as well, prepping one for planting and cleaning debris from the herb bed.  As I

The First Crocuses of 2011

First CrocusesMarch 31, 2011
The first crocuses are making their cheery appearance in the nook outside the kitchen window.  I've left these to naturalize so the are rewarding me with spreading.  The kitchen is below grade with the window about four inches from the ground so the crocuses can be enjoyed right from the kitchen.  We lost a lot of the crocuses from the front of house ripout we did

Daffodils Breaking Ground

Daffodils Breaking GroundMarch 31, 2011
A few days ago I noticed the daffodils breaking ground.  They were up about an inch when Mother Nature graciously covered them up with a blanket of snow.  The temperatures have been unseasonably cold with more snow predicted.  Still the daffodil shoots hold the promise of their sunny blooms soon to be bringing cheer to spring.

Happy Gardening!

Garden

The Unknown Has Been Identified as Columbine

Columbine(Aquilegia)May 10, 2010
I recently posted about 2 clumps of unknown plants coming up in the gardens.  I knew I had identified them previously.  They are Columbine (Agilegua) and thanks to a recent rip-out (more to come on that) it looks like I am now down to one clump.  It is quite pretty so hopefully will spread in the current location.  I may pick up a few more to plant along with

Volunteer Violets

Volunteer VioletsApril 29, 2010
I love finding volunteer plants in my garden even if some of them are more in the weed category than plants.  Even some weeds are beneficial though as some act as companion plants, others are edible and others still are both.  On one of the paths between the garden beds I discovered several violets.  Now this doesn't surprise me as the new beds and paths on on part

Lily of the Valley

The Lily of the Valley is up but not in bloom yet.  There are several patches in one garden area that I'm hoping will naturalize.  The garden bed sits in front of the kitchen window (lower ground level) and wraps around under the sunporch stairs ending at the lower ground level covered patio.  This bed was covered with a decorative rock by the former owner then planted with hostas and Lily of

Crabapple Tree in Bloom

Crabapple Tree in BloomApril 29, 2010
The crabapple tree is looking so pretty in full bloom!  A lot of urban homeowners have crabapple trees simply for their beautiful showy display in the spring.  They do nothing with the fruit though.  I look forward to the tart little crabapples that make a wonderful jelly!

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

More Spring Blooms

Spring activities in the garden this year have been rather slow mainly because it is still early weatherwise for us but also because we have our house on the market.  We had hoped to be moving in time to establish a garden at the new house but that doesn't look like it will be happening.  I am plugging ahead working on the area we started last fall so there has been minor improvements there. 

The First of the Tulips in Bloom

Tulipa tardaApril 19, 2010
I was quite pleased to see the first of the tulips in bloom.  Last year it took a bit of effort to identify Tulipa tarda pictured.  The Tulipa tarda are thriving and spreading (naturalizing).  These pretty little tulips were hiding in with the lilies so at first appeared to be a lily.  What I did find out is the former owner planted these tulips amongst the lilies to

More Narcissus

Double Trumpet NarcissusApril 16, 2010
There is one large clump of double trumpet narcissus in the gardens.  It has spread from last year which is something I've been encouraging.  The foliage of all spring bulbs should be left alone until it completely turns brown and can gently be pulled away.  Protect the foliage from lawn mower damage if necessary to allow it to die back.  This can easily be

Narcissus

NarcissusApril 16, 2010
Just when I think I've discovered all the spring bulbs in bloom I came across this beautiful patch of narcissus.  They have a gorgeous, deep orange trimmed trumpet.  The patch is about 2 square feet so a nice size, possibly large enough to divide.  It is such a treat to discover a patch of spring bulbs waving their cheery heads in the gentle wind!

Happy Gardening!

Garden

Shades of Yellow in My Garden

Shades of YellowApril 12, 2010
Spring is just such a pretty time of the year.  I love watching the gardens come to life and it is surprising how fast the gardens change once spring arrives.  The daffodils and narcissus are in full bloom now giving a cheery display that brings a smile every time I see them.  Aren't they gorgeous?

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

White Crocus

White CrocusApril 6, 2010
We did a lot of ripping out when we moved here in 2007.  To our surprise where some of the over grown brush and garden beds had been that we sodded over spring bulbs pushed through the following year.  It was rather odd seeing a clump of tulips, narcisses or crocuses just out in the open on their own.  That spring after they bloomed I protected them with tomato cages to

Daffodils are Budding

Daffodils BuddingApril 6, 2010
The daffodils and narcissus are up and just ready to break out in bloom.  This is our third spring here.  The careful culling and ripping out we have done to this point has paid off.   Several of the spring bulbs including the daffodils have started naturalizing so we have clumps both spreading and popping up where there were none.  If we stay here which right now

Budding Siberian Squill

Budding Siberian Squill
April 1, 2010

I love Siberian Squill! They a so pretty and delicate looking. I do wish we had more of them but we only have this one small clump of them. I've been hoping they would naturalize but after 3 years no such luck. At any rate they come up each spring just to make me smile.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

Budding Tulips

Budding TulipsApril 1, 2010An extended walk around the gardens in the warm of the sun a couple of days ago was a gorgeous way to spend a bit of free time. The tulips were just starting to bud so I'm getting excited. I love seeing tulips in bloom so the anticipation is building.Happy Gardening!Garden Gnome©2006-2010

Crocuses

CrocusesMarch 19, 2010A few days ago the weather was so gorgeous I took a walk around the yards just simply enjoying the beautiful sunshine. Tucked into the corner of a rock bed we had intended removing I spotted this pretty clump of purple crocuses. They weren't there last year so the squirrels must have been busy moving a few of the bulbs around. Crocuses are one of spring's colourful

Signs of Spring

March came in like a lamb this year which isn't much of a surprise given what a mild winter we had. I don't doubt that we are still in for a few days of nasty weather but those are getting less likely with March more than half over. The first day of spring was on March 20th. We've been experiencing above average temperatures with nice blue skies. The sun has been out doing it's magic so there