Thursday, March 1, 2018

Early Spring Garden Chores

I know I said spring is a long way off on the mountain top. Yet, as I see so many blog friends posting photos of spring shrubs in bloom in their areas, I can't help but start to get excited to spend some time outdoors in my garden, taking care of my spring gardening chores. 

There have been a few warm days up here in the past couple of weeks - unfortunately always when I was at work, so I was not able to take advantage of them. 

But the first warm day when I have a day off? I have plans for that day!

It's time to start the spring clean-up in my garden, and start getting these garden beds ready for the next season's growth. 

I left everything uncut in the fall, for a few reasons. First of all, it provides shelter for the birds and wildlife during the winter months. Secondly, the birds eat the seeds in the winter, as well. And third? I really didn't have the time or energy to deal with it! 

However, I knew that would make extra work for me in the spring. But somehow, it seems I have more energy to tackle these garden chores in the spring, after a winter of snuggling up by the fire with a good book. My muscles are rested and anxious to get out in the fresh air once again.

One of the first things I need to tackle is cutting back all the hydrangeas at the front of the house. 


Before you get too excited, all these photos are from past springs.....right now my property is a mess, there's so much to be done....but these photos will help inspire me to get out there and get busy when I have that first nice day! 

The hydrangeas in the front need to be cut wayyyyy back, and I have plans to edge the garden this spring and mulch it heavily in an attempt to keep that darned bindweed at bay. 

Fingers crossed. 


The gardens on both sides of the garden steps need a serious cutting back and clearing out. 

It's a big job.....made bigger by three useless rose bushes in the center of the perennial bed that I'd like to dig out. We'll see....they might just survive another season if I don't have the time or energy to tackle them. 


Getting the perennial bed cut back and cleared out is always a big chore to tackle, but feels so good when it's all done.


The veggie garden needs some TLC also....it always does at the end of the winter. The frost heaves have really wreaked havoc on it, and the soil has settled so much over the winter. It needs to be raked, fed, fluffed, and enlivened with some fresh compost. 


After that's all done, I'll install the soaker hose once more. and the bean tower.


Back inside, I need to get started on the seeds in the utility room. I have everything I need....I think....but just have to clear off the workbench and get started. 


The only seeds I still need to pick up are peas....I have all the rest inventoried and ready to go. 

The peas will be sown directly into the garden once the time is right, so I've got a little time to place that order. 

I also need to order onion starts and garlic for planting. Can't have too much of either, in my opinion!


I"m heading off the mountain top this evening, and as tempted as I am to drive by the garden center looking for pansies, I know it's still too early. 

But soon.....soon it will be time to start my early spring containers.....and I am really, really looking forward to seeing some bright color outside my house once again!


But, before that time comes, there's an awful lot of hard work to be done to get this place ready for spring. 

What's on your early spring to-do list?

40 comments:

  1. We get our patio put in this May I'm so excited. on the other side of the house ill just be doing some basic garden veggies . I think next year james is gonna redo my garden beds and make them like yours. Much smaller tho but there will be little areas to walk "in" so that I'm not reaching over other veggies and stuff. If that makes any sense? ROFL !

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    1. You'll love that, Ellen. Do you need to fence your veggie garden in your area? If I didn't I'd have nothing left for me, the critters would eat everything! As it is, they seem to love to take a big bite out of my tomatoes just before they ripen....the punks!!

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    2. That's why we can't have a garden. Between the many deer, squirrels and rabbits there's nothing left for us no matter how many we plant. I planted Impatients one year and they were beautiful. Backed out my driveway one morning and there wasn't even one petal left. I was so mad and I've never planted them again. Even planted pansies in flower boxes on patio (without a rail) and deer came up and ate all of them. I give up!! lol

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    3. Oh that's frustrating, Skaya! I think the dogs help keep the deer away at least a little bit here....although I have had the deer completely demolish a bed of hostas in a previous house just as they were looking absolutely PERFECT!!! That was so frustrating, they ate them right down to the ground. I have also had them eat impatiens....rose buds....geranium blooms....you name it!! But I still keep planting!

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  2. I am in one of those parts where everything is blooming EARLY! However, I know not to get ahead of myself as it usually means a late freeze is coming. I am looking forward to getting back out in the garden soon though.

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    1. Meanwhile, my head is thinking spring but we are in the path of Winter Storm Riley, and he's looking to dump up to 2 feet of snow on top of us tomorrow!! It doesn't appear I'll be tackling any of those spring chores any time soon!

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  3. I generally leave everything uncut and as-is over the winter as well. How often I've seen the little birds feasting on tall grass seeds, etc. I learned that there is a reason for these plants that the Father / Mother Creator had in mind :) Furthermore the birds swoop down and scoop up what my dogs shed...using this as part of their nests. There is a grand plan out there : )

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    1. I have also seen the birds feasting on the seeds from the uncut plants, Deb - I see them on the herb gardens right outside my kitchen window where they put on quite the show!

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  4. I generally leave everything uncut and as-is over the winter as well. How often I've seen the little birds feasting on tall grass seeds, etc. I learned that there is a reason for these plants that the Father / Mother Creator had in mind :) Furthermore the birds swoop down and scoop up what my dogs shed...using this as part of their nests. There is a grand plan out there : )

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    1. I have seen the birds eating the seeds from the uncut herbs in the boxes on the deck - the Juncos in particular love them!

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  5. I was walking around my yard today in the cold, looking at all the work that will have to be done in the next few weeks when it starts to warm up a little. Our yard and garden beds are a hot mess. I have to cut down my perennials, too. I leave them up during the winter for the same reasons you do. The one thing I was looking at longingly today was my patio and the covered furniture. I can't wait until it's warm enough to be spending time sitting out there once again!

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    1. Same here, but it appears we are not nearly done with winter yet, Melanie!

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  6. How exciting to be starting seeds! Because I now container gardening, there’s really no need for me to start seeds, but in all honesty, I really do miss it. I’ll just have to garden vicariously through you.

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    1. I haven't started them yet, Pattie, I don't want to get them going too early! Soon, though - in about two weeks.

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  7. You always have the most amazing garden. Can't wait to see it all growing.

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    1. I'm looking forward to seeing with you do with the landscaping around your pool this year, Marty!

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  8. Your grounds are beautiful!... love your plantings. Well, you are probably getting the same nor'easter I hear whipping outside my window at 5:37 a.m.... but Spring is on it's way!!...

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    1. Yup, we got hammered, Karen Ann! I feel as if we might not see grass again until May now!

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  9. I saw on the news last night about the approaching storm and came to see how you are and if it's there yet. I know you've prepared and know what to do---please be safe and stay warm my friend!

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    1. Thanks, Debbi! We are safe and warm and just waiting to see what this next storm has in mind for us now!

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  10. Oh my, you have a big area to cover. I don't have a lot to tend to in this newer house. Small garden in the front and side of the house and small area in the back. Mostly perennials but can't resist adding annuals as well once the garden centers open! I find it so calming and soothing just to walk around those places. Always have quite a few planters as well. The back is not as healthy as it use to be...something I work on all year round.
    Freezing rain here this morning, but now the sun is coming out so it should get rid of it quickly. No where near spring in this neck of the woods.
    Have a great weekend
    Jeannette

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    1. I do have a lot of gardens to take care of, Jeannette - sometimes it seems like too much, but I also really love it!!

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  11. Your sweet gardens are beginning to show some life. Spring will be here soon. I know all your hard work will pay off. Happy Friday. Hope little Miss Molly is doing well. Hugs.
    Kris

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    1. Oh but I only wish, Kris - those photos were all from past springs!! There's no sign of life in my gardens yet!

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  12. You are further ahead in your garden planning that we are here. Your gardens always look so nice. Once the weather starts to break, it will be wonderful to get out and play in the dirt. We have raised beds that need new wood or stone as they are disintegrating. Can you believe we still have cilantro growing? Enjoy your weekend! xoxo

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    1. Wow, I can't believe the cilantro is still growing, Donna! I don't plant any, that's one of those herbs I just can't stomach at all!

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  13. We had an exceptionally warm February, which got my fruits trees, especially the pluot, apricots and peaches, all excited, along with the almonds. So, they were in full blossom mode when, over the last week, we have had temps get down to 25 degrees with snow and hail! Boohoo, it looks like most of the blossoms and buds have been destroyed. :( Ah well, that's mother nature for you! Other than that, I have decided to plant only the essentials this year...zucchini and yellow squash, tomatoes, peppers, green beans and butternut squash, simply because we will be too busy this year building our new house. I know there will be days when the garden will just have to suffer because I will be too exhausted to visit. Once our home is done, we will be building permanent raised beds for the garden, along with a greenhouse and root cellar. I dream of those days! ;)

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    1. That will be your plan for next summer, Vickie, once you are all settled into your beautiful new house!! Something wonderful to look forward to!

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  14. Yoiur place will be looking so beautiful before you know it! What a lot of work for you to do but I know you enjoy it and that is the main things. In a couple weeks I think I can start plating a few cold weather crops in my little cold frame. New experience for me this year as I just got it last fall. The temp was about 90 in there today so when I get something planted I will have to ventilate it. Right now it can be warming up the soil. Living here we are limited as to where we can plant. Nancy

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    1. We have a long way to go before my place looks anything like spring, Nancy, after the winter storm that we had last weekend plus the one today....and another possibly Sunday into Monday! You'll be able to have lots of early lettuce in your cold frame, Nancy - I have often thought of making one, but it hasn't happened yet!

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  15. Lots to do here but after 10" of snow, we have a ways to go! My yard and garden are a mess right now as I don't clear or cut back anything in the Fall either. I am hoping my tulips and lilac bush come back this year!

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    1. I really thought the lilac buds were already starting to swell last week, but perhaps I was imagining things....wishful thinking, right AnnMarie?

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  16. I'm excited about spring too. We've had quite a bit of warm weather lately, and I've been out there cutting things back, getting ready!
    Brenda

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    1. Your spring always comes much earlier than mine, Brenda!

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  17. I agree, the spring weather just really gives the boost of energy we all need after a long summer and winter. We do our hard pruning in late fall, as we have a sort of microclimate inside our brick walls to protect most, if not all, of our landscape beds, but I did keep the flower heads on the hydrangeas through winter for visual interest. I've cut those, and done some weeding, and am anxious to get to work with some new flowering plants. Planning and planting a food garden is even more zealous. I admire you, Debbie. You are such a hard worker, even when you're not on your job!

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    1. Sometimes I exhaust myself, Rita, with all the things I try to get done! Your gardens always look so absolutely beautiful - I'll be living vicariously through you until mine get up and running!

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  18. I am dreaming and planning for spring in my head. I can't wait for the warm weather. While I do not have a green thumb, I do like planning what will go in the pots and where the furniture and accents will go in the yard. Of course, the thing I am most excited for is the warm grass under my feet...soon I hope!

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    1. I hope you didn't get too much impact from the Nor'easter this past weekend, Kim, especially being near the coast!

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  19. I love reading about your garden, learning of your plans, and I hope to see copious pictures come spring and summer. I do miss living on a big plot of ground, and being able to garden like I used to, but, as happens, life changed, so I pretty much garden via container. Still, every year those containers seem to get bigger, and my goals grander. One thing I miss is having a lot of butterflies, so I’ve decided to try to grow a butterfly bush in a large container on the open area of my deck. I’m hoping for lots of blooms, and lots of hummingbirds and butterflies. Wish me luck!

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    1. I do wish you luck!! There are so many wonderful things you can do with a container garden, and no doubt it's a lot less work than the extensive gardens I have...some day I will need to downsize, I'm sure - but today's not that day. There are days I wonder why I bought a property that needs so much upkeep....but then after I stop working for the day and wander around with a cocktail looking at all the gardens and all the hard work I've done I remember why!!

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