Tuesday, April 17, 2018

The Garden In Mid April

This past weekend I was bound and determined to finally get out in the garden and do some spring cleanup. 

The weather has been against me every single weekend - any time I had a day at home to do what I needed to do it was snowing or raining. 

Grrrrrrrrr. Enough already!

Last year at this time my garden steps looked like this.

 

All cleaned up, cut back, and ready for spring. Nice, right? 

This year they look like this:


We haven't been able to use the steps in ages. That shrub at the bottom was pinned to the ground under a mound of snow and just released a day or two ago. I still don't know if it will bounce back into position, or if I will have to prune it severely just to be able to use the steps once more. 

As my mom would say, only time will tell. 


Molly and I were downright disgusted with the condition of the beds around the veggie garden. I knew they were going to be first on my to-do list as I couldn't bare to look at them any longer. 

 
The deck planters were on the day's agenda as well. I was tired of seeing this mess as soon as I stepped out my door each day.


The deck itself was a complete nightmare, so much so that I grabbed the hose Friday evening when I got home from work and hosed it all off straight away - it felt so good just to even get that tiny little bit of cleanup done! The hoses had been disconnected for months, but finally spring seemed to be on the way and I could hook them up once more.


I haven't started on the veggie garden yet, but the beds around it got a great clean-out and cut-back. There's lots of new growth to be seen, but I do suspect I may have lost two rosebushes.

Drat. 


The gardens on the driveway wall were tackled as well, and many of my ground covers seemed to have survived the winter quite nicely. 

These little Hens & Chicks surprise me every year, coming back and multiplying in the hole of this piece of driftwood. They are such resilient little buggers, I must scatter more around the property for sure. 


Amidst the debris I was delighted to see this lovely purple crocus popping out its happy little head. I must plant some more spring bulbs this fall as they never fail to make me happy in spring!


It was also  nice to see my little Namaste Frog once more - he doesn't seem to mind the chaos all around him, although I'm sure he'll be more at peace once I get his garden bed cleared out as well. 


The chives on the deck have been popping up for the past month or so....every time I would see their little green spikes the snow would come and that would be the end of them for another while. 

I cut back all my ornamental grasses to see if they come back but I highly doubt it. Again, time will tell. Most likely I'll be dumping them out and planting something else in those containers. 


At the end of the day it certainly seemed as if spring may possibly be coming to the mountain top.

But then we woke to this. 


We got hit with an ice storm that lasted for 24+ hours....followed by snow, rain, sleet, freezing rain, more ice, and then more snow. 

Is this a joke?


And then the fog rolled in, as thick as my amazing pea soup

I have always found fog to be quite beautiful, there's just something so ethereal about it. 

We could barely see the barn with the green roof through the snow, and the mountain across the way was completely invisible. 


It feels as if we'll never be able to enjoy evenings on the deck again.

I know that's not true, but wow this winter sure is lingering, isn't it? 

We'll probably just go straight from winter to summer, as has happened in the past. 

It's most frustrating, especially for an avid gardener, but there's nothing we can do but wait it out. 

 
These sweet little violas have been waiting to be planted, but they will have to wait a little longer I suppose. 


Meanwhile these three little rascals care about nothing other than eating, sleeping, and playing. 

It really is a dog's life, isn't it?

45 comments:

  1. It definitely is a late Spring! We are expecting another 5-8" of snow tomorrow...but next week 60s!! Oh well...all this winter weather has kept us on track with indoor projects! Your pups are adorable...

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    1. We are expecting a few more inches tomorrow, Linda....every time I see that forecast I just want to cry at this point!

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  2. It is still way too cold here (30's during the day) to do any yard clean-up. And we got ice and snow this weekend, so there's still snow on the ground AND sleet and snow coming tomorrow! Like you, I simply feel it'll never end, especially as I gaze longingly at my patio and the covered furniture. I simply can't wait until I can be sitting out there again. Looks like next week we may have a glimmer of hope...

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    1. It's amazing how so many areas of the country are having such a late spring, Melanie! I feel so bad for some of my friends in blogland when I see they got another foot of snow....and here I am complaining about ice and a couple of inches of snow!!

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  3. Well you're making some great headway--looks so much better around the vegetable garden area! Keep hanging on.....surely spring will be arriving soon! Your doggies are so cute!

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    1. I probably should have left the little plants covered up to protect them from the ice but I really had to get started....there's so much to do and only me to do it! Spring cleanup is overwhelming and even more so this year as we had so much damage from Winter Storm Riley. Sigh.

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  4. I'm so depressed! I wanted to be posting garden updates by now that show amazing progress but this dang snow ruined it!!!!

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    1. I hear ya, sister!! At least I have my little seedlings to keep me busy inside....and the geraniums I overwintered. I'll be posting updates on them soon!

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  5. I know how you feel, it has been like that here too. But a warm weekend for us full of rain kept me inside as the snow did for you. Today is is going to be 77, but tomorrow is forecast to be in the 50s!! Schizophrenic weather!! I need to clean up my veranda, weed the flower beds, deadhead the hydrangea, so much to do!!

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    1. SOOOOO much to do!! I'm sure you feel a bit overwhelmed with all the spring cleanup as well...but it sure does feel good when it's done, Carole!

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  6. I think we are all so over this Winter. Today is suppose to be our last chance for any kind of snow. So far just drizzle. Then it is suppose to start to warm up to the 50's and 60's. I hope so. I know you will have your garden and deck looking so pretty soon for summer. I guess we all just have to be patient a little longer. The three little fur babies look so sweet. Have a great week.
    xoxo

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    1. I can't wait to see what you do at your new cottage, Kris! Your gardens are always so gorgeous!! You must be itching to get out there as well!

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  7. I just hooked my hoses up last Saturday too. I was saying to Mr. P. this morning if our area is still a month behind for spring, imagine further north? I guess whether it's a short r delayed spring, it's still one less month to be able to nurture the garden. I know it must be especially frustrating for you, knowing you enjoy a food garden as well as flower. Your property still inspires, no matter the weather!

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    1. I am concerned that our growing season, while already short, is going to be even shorter this year if this trend continues, Rita! What if we don't get enough hot days for the tomatoes and zucchini? Right now there is not a ton I would be planting, just peas, lettuce, onions, and garlic....and as soon as I can work the soil those will go in. More snow on the way tomorrow and I pray that's the last of it until November!

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  8. My yard is the same but with my neighbors garbage strewn around :-( Really!!?? I do have some tulip leaves popping up but it is not enough to make this Spring feel any better. If it gets above 30 I will go out to clean up but not until!

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    1. I'm praying for decent weather this weekend to get some more done, AnnMarie. Sorry about your neighbor's garbage, that stinks - I'd be mad as heck! Did the animals get into it or something?

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  9. I am so tired of looking at snow...as I know you must be. That sole purple crocus determined to make its way out is a lovely sight. I would be focusing on that. Well, that and your frog. He's got the right idea. Om....

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    1. I was so happy to find that little crocus, Kim! Poor little guy succumbed to the ice storm the day after, however!

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  10. Well, you did make a little forward progress, less to do when the weather clears. It looks nice.

    FlowerLady

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    1. That's exactly how I have to look at it, Lorraine - every little bit helps. I can't do it all at once, it's just far too overwhelming, as you well know!

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  11. Thanks for visiting my blog today! I hope your winter weather ends soon and spring begins for you. I lived in upstate NY for 10 years in Hornell. I remember waiting until Memorial Day weekend to plant. Luckily here in the mountains of NC we get our spring a little earlier!

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    1. We do tend to wait until Memorial Day for any tender annuals, Penny, although I always sneak in a few cold hardy plants earlier. Last year it was pansies, snapdragons, and lobelia - they were such a spot of sunshine in those early spring days!

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  12. Love the doggy pic! I'm hoping you will be out there gardening soon. I don't think we have pansies at the nursery any longer. Onward to summer flowers.
    Brenda

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    1. I don't think our nurseries are even open yet - I picked those up at Walmart the last time I was off the mountain - even Lowe's didn't have any!

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  13. I just can't even imagine! Let's see how we can turn this into a positive...you are getting plenty of precipitation so you won't have to worry about it being too dry. Does that work?

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    1. Ha ha yes I do think that works, Stacey!!! The winter we got no snow peoples wells were drying up, as were our creeks and reservoirs!!

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  14. Hi Debbie....Thanks so much for visiting Bee Haven Acres!! Looks like we have a lot in common. Hope Spring arrives for you soon. We are enjoying a great Spring day today...but, then, who knows what tomorrow will bring!!

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    1. I woke up to a few inches of light fluffy snow today, Beverly - and we have had flurries all day long! Please send some of that spring weather my way!

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  15. My daughter lives in Iowa and they are having so many snows, week after week this month. They are simply sick of it. Really feeling sorry for them since it affects the kids extra curricular activities, shopping for groceries, etc. AND my son in law is a postal carrier so he has to walk through the huge snowdrifts every day. Hope Mother Nature's madness ends soon for everyone.

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    1. Oh wow, yes I guess I'm fortunate that I have a short commute to work and I work in a warm cozy office!

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  16. Just when you think winter is over, bam, here it comes again. Our weather is up and down but haven't had quite the snow you have experienced. We have two huge sweet gum trees in the front yard and the balls that fall are a real pain in the a**. You can't mow over them very well and they need to be raked and bagged. Every time I see you sweet pups, I just want to cuddle them! xoxo

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    1. My pups get more cuddles than you can imagine, Donna!!! I had to look up those sweet gum tree balls as I was not familiar with them - they look pretty scary! Someone did say they can be used in the bottom of a flowerpot for drainage though...not sure if that's true?

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    2. Yes, they could be used in the bottom of a pot for drainage. I noticed on our walk this morning, in the rain no less, that there are several of these huge trees in our neighborhood.

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  17. I am so sorry about your snow....YUCK! I think Spring has finally arrived here. We have been able to be outside comfortably for the last two days and even had an early dinner out on the back screened in porch today. It's almost 6 p.m. and I am still out on the porch enjoying the warmth of the sun before it sets. Be blessed my friend!

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    1. Oh how lovely, Debbie!! Well you enjoy every second of those lovely warm rays of sunshine!!

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  18. I am having internet issues. Your weather is worse than ours so now I don't feel so bad. I don't know how you get it all done. Must be the help of your three furbabies! Nancy

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    1. It's not easy, Nancy, I really have to push myself at times....but then I love it so much when it's all cleaned up and things are growing so it makes all the hard work worth it!

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  19. Hi there Debbie and so glad you stopped by and enjoyed the post. Your mountains are so beautiful too! Spring will be on it's way to you very soon and you will happily be out busy in your own gardens!

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    1. Soon, my friend, soon....looks like this weekend is going to be a busy one!

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  20. Little miss Molly is so adorable! Can you believe this miserable cold weather?? UGH. I think I've said that 1,000 times lately. Today the sun is shining, let's hope.

    Your yard surroundings are beautiful - you've obviously put a lot of work into it since acquiring the house.

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    1. I was both lucky and unlucky to buy a house with some established gardens, Karen Ann - I also inherited some plantings that maybe weren't the wisest idea....like the Tansy that was planted in the perennial bed and smothers everything around it. That and the bindweed are the bane of my gardening existence!!! I have done a lot of work for sure, and there's lots more to do....I just need a clone or two!

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