What is Spring without the wind and the rain. I know, I know
you want a perfect weekend. It will happen. With what is going
on out in the world we have to be grateful for our moments.
Enough said!
I'm sending you sunshine today,
And ducks enjoying a swim,
And flowers waiting to be planted,
And keeping busy. (Ron and neighbor Eliana)
LIFE GOES ON
THERE IS BEAUTY IN EVERYDAY
WHEN ONE TUGS AT A SINGLE THING IN NATURE,
HE FINDS IT ATTACHED TO THE REST OF THE WORLD
~John Muir, environmentalist
Today is an opportunity. Events are being held globally to support
a movement that puts environmental concerns to the forefront.
More than a billion people will gather for festivals, rallies, many
activities that will build community awareness on what we can do
to protect and keep our planet healthy. We are the caretakers.
Earth Day is a call to action
How can you help..be a steward of the environment!
THE EARTH DOES NOT BELONG
TO US. WE BELONG TO THE EARTH.
~Chief Seattle
This past weekend brought sunny days and warm temperatures.
Much to do outside and it seemed everyone had mowing on their
list. Our goal was to empty out the Potting Shed and the storage
shed which contains my bird houses, the "Ladies" of the garden
and all the other yard paraphernalia, or stuff as Ron calls it, that
I need to decorate my garden areas. I like to think of my entire
yard as my garden space and by definition it's my "fertile and
delightful spot or region."
And while wonderful hubby did his thing, I cleaned up the beds.
This involves starting at one side of the house and working my
my way around to the back and finishing up in the herb/perennial
garden. There were a lot of sticks and leaves to pick up, mulch to
turn over, Phlox to trim, then tidying up the edging. I decided to
put the sheep and baby lamb in the front yard this year, like it?
Ron needed neighbor Dathan to help in moving the sheep.It is
very heavy…solid concrete!
I wanted to show you the Hostas coming up, see picture left, and
the Hydrangea, on the right. The picture above shows what they
will look like in full bloom. This variety of Hydrangea called
Annabelle or "mophead" is now 16 years old. It blooms on old
wood and on new, sending our runners underground and you
might be able to see the new green growth in the center and on
the old wood. I severely trim this variety to about 6 inches above
ground in the fall. This side of the house faces the north. We will
talk more about the different varieties of Hydrangea in a later
post. It's fun to see the new growth coming up. Isn't nature just
amazing?
Here is my Clematis on the south side of the house which also
gets the west sun. It's a lovely purple shade with a medium
sized bloom. I keep it trimmed to stay about halfway up the
arbor. The climbing rose is on the left side of the arbor. The
Clematis has been here for about 6 years. I just trimmed this
vine about 2 weeks ago, cutting it back to about 12 inches.
You can already see the new growth in the picture on the
left. It will flower out in the summer and look like the
picture on the right. If you're looking to have a Clematis it's
best to purchase one at least 2 years old. You'll see them in
gallon or quart containers. It will need a sunny location,
receiving about 6 hours per day. Follow directions on
planting that is provided, fertilize and water weekly the
first year until established. Mulch well around the base
of the plant to conserve moisture and to keep the soil cool
for the plant. It is best to prune Clematis in early spring,
this encourages new growth and more flowers. Knowing
when your vine blooms will dictate which of 3 groups your
Clematis belongs. You can just watch it for a year and see
how it flowers. Type 1 vines flower in spring, on growth
from last year. Prune these vines right after they finish
blooming in spring. Type 2 vines bloom in late spring and
early summer and again off and on in summer. They
bloom on old and new wood. Thin out and prune where
needed after flowering. Or an easier way is to prune the
plant back by half in alternate years. Type 3 vines bloom
in late summer or in the fall, on new wood. They can be
pruned short nearly to the ground in early spring. The
identifying tag that comes with your plant will also tell
you when your vine will flower. You can also Google to
see illustrations on each and how to prune. Clematis
comes in a variety of colors, and sizes. They can be quite
striking.
Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.
~Virgil A. Kraft
How about an easy recipe that works as a side dish or an
appetizer. Asparagus Tart. See EARTHLY DELIGHTS for the
recipe. Are you a fan of this versatile vegetable? Although
available in grocery stores pretty much all year long, spring is
the best season for fresh asparagus. Want to grow your own?
Just know it takes time and you'll need patience. Planting from
a 2 yr. old plant is better than starting from seed and even then
allow a couple of years for a good harvest. Once that happens,
the plant will be producing up to 20 years. Asparagus is
considered a perennial and it will be your first crop in your
garden. Most garden centers carry the asparagus crowns early
in the spring season. This plant is healthy for you too. A good
source of fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E, and K, and chromium,
which is a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to
transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells. It's also
packed with antioxidants. You can eat it raw, but think roasting,
grilling, or stir-frying as well. See my other recipe using
asparagus in EARTHLY DELIGHTS, Prosciutto Asparagus
Spirals. Delicious as an appetizer and with wine.
Yes, Spring has arrived and with that comes the rain. To be
expected. We need it for our garden landscapes to flourish.
There's still so much to be done in preparation for our outside
activities. I'm hearing the lawn mowers being revved up. Ron
has ours in the garage awaiting a moment to sharpen the blades.
It seems his list is growing. I have my list too and I can check off
turning over the soil in my small raised garden bed. I added
some compost as well. I hope to get the radish and carrot
seeds out within 2 weeks. They are easy cool season veggies
to grow and will tolerate a light frost.
I hope you're planning some kind of a small garden or patch,
and remember you can do a container garden as well. I want to
share a wonderful garden design with you. From talented artist
and author Susan Branch. Just tap on the link below to visit her
site for the blog, her books, etc.
I know I must be moving on to another chore, cleaning the
screened porch. It's dusty, dirty and while I won't show you
the before pictures, here's what the porch looks like
"summer ready." I will share more pictures later.
See you next week from my thyme in the garden,
In your garden too…..
next up, pruning Clematis
Have you not seen, it's getting to be green.
Robins are looking to build their nest.
And flowers no longer need to rest.
You have a "Spring" in your walk,
It's thyme oh yes, for gardeners talk.
Blessings...
With faith comes hope,
With grace life renews,
We rejoice,
HIS gift to share.
Spring, a seasonal move
forward. Rain cleansing,
winds blow fresh bringing
warmth. The sun on a
higher path. Nature
transitions, we symbolically
awaken.
Happy Easter:
Spring Break
Bunnies
Green Grass
Colored Eggs
Jelly Beans
Easter dinner
Chicks & Peeps
Chocolate
Tulips & Daffodils
Easter baskets
Welcome Spring
Bloom Happy
