Ok, it hasn't been 'a day' - more like 10 days. I had to post as soon as possible, because the 'snow' pictures from my last entry are "
so 5 minutes ago" & sending the wrong impression. The average temperature this time of year is ~ 50F. We have had an exceptionally mild winter, so when we had snow (finally, and not much) - we all acted like petulant children.
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I was a big cry baby!
(thanks to the imagery of Microsoft Clipart) |
Now - it is AMAZING outside - crazy warm, in the upper 70's/low 80's. In the course of two weeks, it's gone from 32F to 80F. This is the Midwest, so the weather will change
again. But in the meantime, I took my 'garden dreaming' outside to reality this weekend - to wander and work in the gardens. Sandhill Cranes migrated north this week: (click on any photo to enlarge it)
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Those teeny-tiny dots really are Sandhill Cranes
(by the time I got my camera they were far away and much higher up) |
Lots of plants in my garden were up out of the ground.
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Variegated Ribbon Grass
(in 'Shade Garden") |
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My precious "PJM Rhododendron"
(looking optimistically healthy) |
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| "Center Glow" Ninebark |
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Perennial Hollyhock
(just barely piercing the ground) |
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The brand new "May Breeze" Phlox, co-located with "Black Scallop" Ajuga
(The Phlox has an almost irridecent white-purple bloom) |
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| Dappled Willow with a Vicary Golden Privet back drop |
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| Budding Crabapple Tree |
Then, I couldn't resist... I just had to start the garden "expansions". The "Cottage Garden" was too small 5 minutes after we finished it (that 'we' includes the generous labor contributions my husband provided). Due to heavy shading just adjacent to the Redtwig Dogwood, the grass has been dying off. A edger and 10 minutes later, I started creating a new shade garden area. More to come on that in future posts.
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And so "The Expansion" begins ...
(Shade expansion in foreground; the "Cottage Garden" is in the background -excavations in progress) |
It's been a euphoric week, and though I know there will be repercussions to the mild Winter and early warm weather - I'm enjoying it while we have it!
Have a fabulous week !!
©
All content & photography by Shyrlene Foster at The Bunnies Buffet (unless noted)
I've been wondering about the crazy weather. We are more used to those temperatures in Texas, but if your weather turns really cold again, it could really hurt some plants. I hope that doesn't happen. Your rhododendron looks fabulous. And an expansion sounds so exciting! Looking good already!
ReplyDeleteHolley - we are keeping our fingers crossed that expected 'cooler' weather won't include frost. Everything in every garden is up out of the ground (unprecedented), and I'll throw myself across anything delicate if there is a freeze. (Wait until you see the updated pictures of the 'Rhodie'!) :o)
DeleteWow, that sounds especially unusual for you guys. Those sounds more like our late winter/early spring temps! Loving the promise of that expansion...always fun to have more room for planting ;)
ReplyDeleteCat - very unusual, but we'll take it! It's been awesome watching everything grow wild. Garden expansion has been almost as much fun 'doing' as it was 'planning' - though I find myself a bit more timid in the front than the back gardens. The garden nurseries will be opening with full inventories next month - I'm so stoked!
DeleteIt's been freakishly warm here, too. But it's been so dry I've actually had to water a few plants that seemed a bit stressed. Bizarre! I'm always looking to expand my beds. My husband has no idea that a chunk of grass near the fence is about to disappear. But OF COURSE I have to dig it up! I've already bought the plants for it! Duh!! Enjoy your warm weather! :o)
ReplyDeleteCasa Mariposa - I love your comment about your husband, and the chunk of soon-to-be-gone lawn!! The fact that you already have the plants that are going there ... well, you are my garden hero!
DeleteIt's been such great gardening weather here too! It's hard to not start gardening full force when it's like this!
ReplyDeleteIndie - I have wanted to "skip school" and ditch work for 5 days in a row so I could garden! SO glad it's Friday - like no other!!
DeleteWe have fast-frowarded into summer too. Temps have been in the high 70s and are expected to be over 80* in DC today and tomorrow. I wonder what this will mean for crops if temps drop. But I'm enjoying the warm weather while we have it. :)
ReplyDeleteBumble Lush - I keep looking nervously at the extended forecast, worried that there is going to be an icy backlash. So far, so good - but sure don't want to jinx it. ;D
DeleteSeems to be a common theme this Winter. We had a gorgeous December and January, and then we finally got some much needed rain, and I was almost pouting because I couldn't be outside. The downside to our warm weather here is increased fire danger earlier in the season. Now I'm actually wishing we'd had more rain! Like you though, I'm itching to start digging and moving plants!
ReplyDeleteClare - I think this 'out of body' weather has everyone anxious as to what is to come? In the meantime, I took another walk around to each of my gardens and am thrilled by the new growth in such a short time. Crazy how it is so exciting?!! :D
ReplyDeleteI am tearing my hair out over the weather. As a nusery that grows 50% of its own plants I really am a farmer. 85 degrees on Friday, 28 degrees this Monday night---chaos!!!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn - I feel a little sheepish, grousing about weather change when you have so much at stake. All the best for 'warmer then expected' temperatures; will check back in to see how you fare.
DeleteHasn't this warm weather been crazy. I'm trying to keep my students' brains from flipping the switch over to "summer" mode. Meanwhile, today I found new growth of hosta and platycodon up in my garden! (In my warmer Gettysburg garden -- but, still, in March??) -Jean
ReplyDeleteJean - I can't begin to imagine classrooms of students with "Spring Fever" (or "Summer vacation" mode); there is a squirrely h.s. senior in our home and she's climbing the walls! Magnolias have already bloomed in the area and are shedding blooms like crazy. It will be so interesting to see what happens in April?
DeleteWe had a few days last week of humid, hot summer-like weather. Thankfully, it has cooled back to normal this week. Did I say normal? Normal is something that is ever changing! I look forward to seeing the development of your new shade garden. Happy gardening!
ReplyDeleteDeb - thanks for stopping by! "Normal" - so true. Can't wait to start checking off purchases from the 2012 "Wishlist" (now with more shade plants on it!)
DeleteI think with your severe winters of the recent past a mild winter is a well-deserved respite. The PJMs are all in bloom around here. They're just gorgeous. I look forward to watching your expanding garden! Fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteGrace - thanks for the kind words; great to have you stop by! It's been surreal, but I've taken advantage of the early Spring by starting the 'compost & weed' process sooner than normal. Then again, the weeds came up much faster this year! (ugh!)
DeleteShyrlene, so glad to get caught up with you and your garden. Our weather was warm and now has turned frigid...poor plants that were blooming 3 weeks early...I have a few more frigid days and then April, but we will have more...temps on average now in the 40s and low 50s...
ReplyDeleteDonna - great to have you visit! Our weather must be on a similar wavelength. The 2 weeks of teasing warm weather made way for much cooler temps this week. The dandelions are thriving though, and I was having a 'tug of war' with them yesterday, in spite of the more seasonal weather. :-\
DeleteHi Shyrlene! I feel the same way you do about this weather, it's strange and out of character but I'll take it. Maybe it's making up for last spring when we were dumped here in WI with a huge blizzard. We didn't get started with gardening until May. All last year I was feeling shorted out of a month or more so maybe Mother Nature is making up for it now?
ReplyDeleteAh, expansion in the garden, always so much fun! Now you need some big rocks....c'mon over, I have some to spare!
Karen - I remember that blizzard!! There was a 3 foot snow drift up against my 3-Season door, and it never seemed like it was going to melt. Don't tease me about those big rocks - I'll load up my little pickup truck and be there in a heart beat! :D
DeleteWonderful blog! ~ I'm now following ~ Best, Anne
ReplyDeleteAnne - I am thrilled to have you visit; thanks so much for following! I have to tell you, your blog is absolutely enchanting and I am now an avid fan. Your photos are gorgeous. I'm looking forward to reading your previous posts.
DeleteThis warm weather just seems to bring us all out into the garden. I am enjoying it...
ReplyDeleteSage Butterfly - no truer words have been said. Even weeding dandelions and composting the young "Wine and Roses" Weigela 'bookends' in the Sun Garden made my day! ... Now, to negotiate a few more vacation days ...
DeleteIf you joined up the shade expansion with the cottage garden, you could create a river of plants ...
ReplyDeleteb-a-g, when I saw the photograph after I uploaded it - I thought the same thing! There is so much potential. Now that you've echoed my thoughts - it's a 'must do'! (p.s. love the visual concept - "river of plants") Thanks!!
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