Monday, April 15, 2019

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring has sprung in the mountains and I'm beyond happy!! 

Don't get me wrong...I'm sore as heck. With Spring comes a ton of Spring cleanup, which I've been doing non-stop on the weekends....but I'm deliriously happy none the less! 

 

We had one heck of a thunderstorm last night, but the sun came out this morning with a vengeance, making everything look fresh and new. Naturally I headed right back inside to grab my camera!


No visitors to the hummingbird feeder just yet, but it won't be long now.This feeder hangs right outside my kitchen door, in front of the kitchen window. It's always a busy spot during the summer months! I put a second one in Papa's Garden....he always loved to watch the hummingbirds, and now they can visit with him in his garden. 

One of my favorite things to do in the warm months is to go on a 'walkabout' each morning with my morning coffee or tea. I check out every little plant, every shrub, every tree to see what's happening.

I do the same in the evenings when I get home from work, and the babies really look forward to joining me. I say, "Let's go see what grew" and they get so excited! They look up at me with those sweet faces, wiggling those little bums....they know we're heading out for our walkabout!  

Today we're taking you with us!


The first of the spring annuals got planted this weekend, starting with this little planter on my deck. All the Pansies and Snapdragons I started from seed back in February were sturdy enough to plant out, which helps as I really needed to free up space in my cold frame for the next batch. I can't wait to see them flower, and I'll be checking them closely each day for the first sign of blooms!


Things are starting to green up around here, and it won't be long until we see that soft spring haze in the treetops.  Oh how I love the soft green haze of Spring! 

Sweetie surprised me last week by coming by my house one day when I was at work and leveling out all the driveway stones. They are always a huge mess after the winter season, from the snowplow pushing them around. What a blessing that was, that's such a tough job and really stretches me to the limit - thank you, Sweetie!


There are buds all around, in the trees, the shrubs, the Lilacs....oooh, the Lilacs, I can't wait! I really hope the Lilacs along the fence line finally bloom for me this year! This is the 4th year they are in the ground and they are so strong and healthy....I really would love to see some flowers, and I tell them that every day now during my walkabout....hopefully they will listen to me this year.  

What, you don't talk to your plants? Oh come on now!


Papa's Garden got cleaned up this weekend, and some Pansies and Snapdragons were planted in the window-box and in a couple of the base planters. It doesn't look like much just yet, but give it time and it will be spectacular, like last year


Baby Pansies in the window-box, just peeking up over the edge. 


My Dad will be gone a year in June, but I still feel his presence all around me....especially when I'm working in his garden. No yellow butterflies yet, but when they come back I'll know it's Papa saying hi.


My Dad was a wonderful gardener....there's no more fitting way to pay him tribute than to plant and nurture a memorial garden for him. 


Looking back from Papa's Garden and the Garden Cottage, you can see how the grass is really greening up. Soon I will have to mow, all this rain and these warm temps will have that grass growing like mad in no time. I hope it dries out soon....it's such a mucky mess back here, with all the snow-melt adding to the heavy rains, and running down the mountain into my back garden. 

The sound of water is all around me which is lovely, but I'll sure be glad when the back garden dries up a bit. 

The babies are itching to run and play in the garden, but I can't let them yet....their little bellies and paws get so horribly muddy. 

Soon, babies, soon. We'll be playing Chuck It every day after work, Mommy promises!


The next batch of seedlings is happy in the cold frame....there's a variety of herbs (Lavender, Marjoram, Oregano, & Spearmint) along with Alpine Strawberries, Nicotiana, Lupine, Rose Campion, Stock, and some of the Geraniums I overwintered

Next to the cold frame I've got Black Currant in the pot on the left, and Raspberries on the right. 

Hopefully the birds will let me have some of the fruit this year. 


Two more Pansies are in the bicycle planter....My Mom gave me this years ago - she's a huge gardener also. Is it any wonder I love to play in the dirt? 


Back up on the deck, this sweet little birdhouse keeps this white Geranium company, as a very warm welcome home. This is the strongest of all the overwintered Geraniums, and if need be I'll tuck her indoors if the temps drop too low at night, but for now the sunshine is making her stronger every day. 

I think it does the same for us....or maybe it's all the exercise I get in the garden at this time of year. Most of the cleanup is done now, thanks to Sweetie's help...the last big project that remains is the veggie garden. I ordered 20 bags of compost through our local agriculture center, and Sweetie will be picking it up this weekend. I need to weed the veggie garden and get it ready to add the compost....then Sweetie is planning on renting a tiller and using it on both his garden and mine. That will be great, hopefully we will have an amazing crop this year! 

What's happening in your garden? Has Spring Sprung?

40 comments:

  1. Yesterday it was so pretty we replaced our veggie beds with new wood. Today it seems winter has come back. There is a chill in the air and back to sweaters.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's rainy here today and tonight the low temp is going to be 31....glad I kept the fire smoldering! I might bring my geranium in tonight, just in case.

      Delete
  2. Oh how fun, I love to see all the plants start to leaf out and bud

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same here, Marty!! The crocus's are the only thing to bloom in the garden just yet, but there are some daffodils and hyacinths right behind!

      Delete
  3. You might have seen on the news...yesterday we had a huge snowstorm here in the Midwest! We got 6" of wet, heavy snow. Some of it has melted today and I'm hoping by tomorrow, that it will all be gone. I feel so sorry for all of the little plants that have been poking out of the ground and the budding trees.

    I love your enthusiasm and ambition for getting things done. Bottle some up and send to me. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh no, Melanie, that's awful!!! We got some snow yesterday too (wahhh!) which was quite the surprise as there was nothing on the forecast....thankfully it was just a slight dusting, but I still brought the geranium inside just in case. It was a horrible windy evening, and we lost power for about 4 hours. Uggghhh!! Tonight will be 30 and the wind is kicking out there, but hopefully after that things are really looking up. Hope your snow melts soon!

      Delete
  4. My first crocus bloomed a couple of days ago and I have a daffodil ready to bloom, but everything else is taking its time. I don't want spring to move too fast though. I like to feel the transition and not just hop right into summer. Pete's getting ready to till the vegetable garden for the first time this year - it's full of chicken manure. Debbie, those are some lucky little poochies you have! I had to laugh thinking of them getting their bellies dirty in the yard!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooooh your veggie garden is going to be happy, Sue, with all that chicken manure! Should make for a good crop! My babies are completely spoiled, which is exactly how it should be, right?

      Delete
  5. I'm still waiting to put anything outside. Mother's Day is usually the go to date. How much property do you have? Do you have to weedeat any of your yard? I can't wait to get out in the garden too! You have fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have just under 2 acres, PJ, but fortunately for me my property backs up to woodland....acres and acres of woodland. I use the weedwacker just to clean up the edges of garden beds as necessary....everything along the property line I just let go wild. I don't have enough hours in the day to worry about that, plus I like to see what Mother Nature has planted there!

      Delete
  6. Isn't it nice to see the grass greening up? Before we know it we'll be back at gardening! Can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Soon, Linda, soon!! The spring cleanup is killer for me each year....but on the other hand it's so rewarding when it's done, and a great workout to boot!

      Delete
  7. Debbie, everything is so beautiful, what a wonderful home and gorgeous land! I do talk to my plants...Edward ignores me...LOL I can't wait until everything grows and blooms...it is going to be gorgeous! Love and hugs! Have a blessed Easter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so cute, Benita, I'm sure your sweetie doesn't ignore you, he's blessed to have you! I hope you have a wonderful blessed Easter as well! xo

      Delete
  8. loved my visit to your pretty mountain home, it always looks so quiet and peaceful! So glad spring has arrived for y'all!! Loved seeing all your sweet little baby seedlings sprouting up and peeking out! They will be big before you know it. I grow lots from seeds....but definetly not as many as you! LOL Love the pretty white geranium, dont see those hardly ever here. Have you noticed is the bear back this spring???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The bear has been spotted at a neighbor's house, Debbi, but has yet to make an appearance to my house....it's only a matter of time. I wonder why you don't see geraniums near you? I would think they would be practically perennial down there.

      Delete
  9. Mmmmmm, I can just smell the soil waking up! Did you start those pansies from seed? We had snow again yesterday (ughh!) but hopefully this weekend I'll be doing lots of yard work (sore muscles for sure!) -Jenn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did start the pansies from seed, Jenn! I have no idea what colors they will be but I can't wait to find out! Oh yeah, those sore muscles....if I sit for any length of time at all I look like a 90 year old when I get back up. Yikes!

      Delete
  10. And just like that, everything is blooming bright and pretty! Can’t wait to follow your garden now.
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How are your loofah plants doing, Lisa? You must have planted them out by now?

      Delete
  11. So fun to see your area turning into spring! We are all green here now. We have had heavy rains so I have not been able to get out and plant, but soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our trees should be greening up soon, Penny, and I can't wait!! This is an early spring for us....hope we don't get a big snowfall to kill all the buds/blooms - that would be awful, but has happened many times!

      Delete
  12. I just got done taking a bunch of photos for my patio. I know plant growth this time of year is quite exciting for us gardeners! And your babies who go out with you "to see what grew." I looked for cosmos seeds yesterday. Couldn't find any that weren't orange or pink. And that's not in my color palette this year.
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe you can find some online, Brenda? I actually got some lovely yellow ones this year - I'll find the link and email it to you! They are so easy to grow from seed....they will be up and blooming in no time in your zone.

      Delete
  13. Hello Deb. I love that picture of your home from the bottom of the drive way. Spring has finally sprung here too. We had a huge winter storm on Sunday but today it is 72 degrees and all the snow is gone. Yeah!!!!
    I can just see the sweet little fur babies waiting at the door for you to come home and go out for a walk.
    Happy Easter Deb.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was the view I saw when I pulled in to the driveway to view the house for the first time, Kris, and I fell in love! The driveway winds down to the road, but you can't really see the house from down there....I love being far off the road so the babies are safe when they are running around with me. Happy Easter to you and Terry!

      Delete
  14. Finally Spring has shown up here too - the forsythia is blooming and daffs are out - but today, although the sun is finally shining (we got that nasty thunderstorm too) the wind has picked up and it's chilly. You have a lovely yard - and ritual.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's chilly here today too, Karen Ann - it's amazing, it was SOOOOOO gorgeous when I got up yesterday, I walked all around the gardens in my bathrobe taking pictures, quite comfortably. When I left work it was NASTY out and by the time I got home it was snowing!! Crazy winds last night, power out for about 4 hours, and the winds are still going nuts today although the sun's out. I guess I wrote this too soon, ha ha!!

      Delete
  15. How wonderful to see your property greening up, such a welcome sight for you I know.

    Have a lovely Easter week and Easter Sunday ~ FlowerLady

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's wonderful, Lorraine, I keep examining all the buds, just waiting for that first flush!!

      Delete
  16. Debbie...every inch of your place and property looks fantastic! I also love to have my coffee outside on a sweet morning to look at all that's blooming. Just not yet! Snow the other day. But daffs are blooming and I can't wait to catch up with you. Papa's garden is looking gorgeous!!! :)

    Jane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, your daffodils are blooming even with the snow, mine aren't!! A couple have buds on them but wow, they are being so stubborn and will not open, despite me begging them, ha ha!!

      Delete
  17. I love walkabouts! I too race out to welcome every single garden change, I eagerly await sunrise, still cold enough for a parka at dawn, but finally we are to hit 80 degrees today, you know you can actually sit and watch grass grow on a warm spring day!

    I am sorry about the loss of your father, what a lovely tribute to have a special garden for him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words, it's been a rough year, and his garden brings me a sense of peace.

      I had coffee on the deck swing this morning, it was chilly but glorious!! We hit 60 today so all my seedlings should be having a nice day!

      Delete
  18. Debbie, It's so great to see our grass turning to a lovely green and finally seeing buds on our trees. It didn't help that we had 3 inches of snow this past Sunday, but they're calling for a beautiful Easter. Fingers crossed! I can't wait to see your garden in full bloom!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our Easter doesn't look very lovely, Carol, which is a shame and today was downright nasty....blustery and cold with crazy winds! Oh well, it is what it is, we can't fight Mother Nature, she'll always win!

      Delete
  19. Your special garden in honor of your father touches my heart every time. I know he is so proud of you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww, thanks Debbie - I hope he's looking down and smiling when he sees me working in his garden. We have a warm stretch of temps coming up, that should really push things along!

      Delete
  20. I will enjoy spring through your blog post! We had a few inches of snow last week still such a chill in the air. Today pouring rain and expecting the same for Easter Sunday.
    What a nice tribute to your Dad. Wishing you a terrific Easter
    Jeannette

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jeannette - we had a lovely group of friends for our Easter dinner, it was the first year I wasn't playing Easter Bunny which was crazy....being an empty nester is strange!!

      Delete

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment...I truly love reading your comments and I try to respond to each and every one of your sweet comments right here on my blog page!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
09 10