It’s May. Finally.
We had some light frost last night, but we’re in the clear from here on in. It’s another lovely sunny day – tomorrow will bring rain – so I’m going to take advantage of it and do some potting. I need to see some flowers on my porch!
I managed to clean out the remaining garden beds yesterday, so that’s done. Such a relief to have completed that task – there’s much more to do around here, of course, including another round of mowing. This time, it will be all of the property, including the back forty. But we’ll do that in stages this week.
Betsy, I’m going to take your advice and wait and see if the Annabelle hydrangea comes back. I so hope it does. That section of the garden, which is the area on the far side of the porch, has the hydrangea, a big, overgrown spirea, and a rose bush that has been driving me crazy for years. The spirea has started leafing out, but there’s a whole section of it that’s damaged from the same snowfall that damaged the hydrangea. If I was Monty Don, I’d probably take it all out and start again, but I’m on a budget and I can’t quite give up on things at this point, even though it doesn’t look very attractive over there.
Hostas are coming out of the ground, as are day lilies, peonies, Solomon’s Seal, sedum, and clematis. The lilacs are in bud. I’ll take a picture of them today.
So today will be the day that I try out my little potting area in the shed. I’m anxious to see how it goes – will it be easier than working on the porch? Or just different? I’ll let you know.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
sounds like a good plan to give the hydrangea more time to hopefully heal and bloom. i say that like i am a gardener, but i’m not (far from it) … it’s just that we’ve all been through a lot … plants and the rest of our natural world included.
glad you are seeing other signs of spring … lots more buds, milder weather ahead … and that you can soon get flowers planted. enjoy the process (i know you do) in your new potting shed set-up as well as the results!
good luck with all the mowing.
how’s your back feeling after such work? and don’s shoulder? hopefully fine.
crossed some things off my “to do” yesterday, just finished ironing and that feels good. tomorrow starts my last week of work and that feels good, too.
i get to spend time with members of my family again today and lots more in the future and that feels and is wonderful. i am very, very grateful and blessed.
hope you are all having a good day. happy may basket day!
and always stay safe.
kathy
We’re being very careful with our respective problem areas. If I feel strain in my back, I stop. Don’s shoulder is almost 100%.
Stay safe, Kathy.
Just a suggestion: if your annabelle hydrangea does return, take a few cuttings, dip them in rooting hormone and plant in a light potting soil. In about a month they will develop roots. I’ve had good luck propagating them that way.
Thank you for the suggestion, Terri!
Stay safe.
You are fortunate if you’ve already had your last frost day. Here in Madison, we are famous for late May frosts. Had one last year…it was close to Memorial Day before I planted anything. I hope your shed works well for you in your potting.
I also hope your Annabelle comes back…rejuvenates itself, if you will. It’s heart-breaking to gardeners when we have to replace our perennials…especially at the cost these days.
Our maples have begun to leaf out, finally. Have fun planting today! ;)
I always find it interesting that your maples leaf out earlier than ours. Since you’re north of us, you’d think it would be the opposite! Enjoy, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
That is curious. It’s the only tree that I’ve seen that is leaving out. Just got back from two nurseries. Can’t seem to wipe the smile off my face! Excited to have plants to plant maybe in a week or so. ;)
Yay for plants! And gardens! And Spring!
xo
You are a lot closer to Monty Don than I am! But smart to hold off, especially given the cost of things these days.
Love the typewriter image here! I think I’ll be potting a few things today and maybe even getting my basil seeds going. It’s gloomy but not so cold I can’t do it in the garage. It rained last night and everything is wet, so I’ll probably give the outside a pass.
This is the only Hill I haven’t read (of the Serrailler series). I’ll be interested in your take! Meanwhile, I’m plugging along on Julia. It’s very comprehensive — which I like — but I’m getting a little itchy for a good mystery again!
I’m starting to get immersed in the Susan Hill. I was so busy yesterday that I didn’t have a lot of time for it, but today is rainy day made for reading.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
I love to hear about your resumption of gardening when this time of year arrives; and remember, April showers bring May flowers!
Very happy to have spent a big chunk of time outside yesterday, Vicki.
Stay safe.
I’m looking forward to learning what you think about Susan Hill’s latest. I loved those books from the beginning, but was very disappointed in the last one. On a happier note, I’m glad you’ve found Jane Gardam; I discovered her several years ago and really like her work.
Jane Gardem is a gem, Margaret!
Stay safe.
It’s been a tough extended winter this year for our region. I’d wait a few weeks and then trim the spirea’s dead section. Hopefully, by then the Annabelle will be signs of life! I will look around my hedge of them and see if there are any new sprouts that I can dig up for you. I’m sure we can figure out a midpoint to hand them off if yours doesn’t make it.
I’m not buying many plants this year either. I have so much to take care of and am going to let the woods encroach in some areas.
Happy May day!
I do have some outlying offshoots of the original plant that have leaves. I can always take a cutting from one of them, Betsy.
Thank you!
Stay safe.
We are a bit away from putting anything outside yet. So cold and dreary here all weekend. This week doesn’t look much better with 50’s* and several days of rain.
I am so glad you will give the Hydrangea some more time. I think the plants are weary from the weather we have had, too. They need a bit more time. My Spirea is also overgrown and kind of a mess. We just pruned our Hydrangea about 10 days ago. The wee one is here tomorrow so perhaps we will take a walk in the yard and check on the Peonies, Brown Eyed Susans and the Hostas, Sedum, Bee Balm, and Russian Sage and see how they are progressing. Rhubarb and Chives are all up. Would surely be nice to have a day of sun!! Hope your planting went well in the new area!! Take care.
Since the Annabelle grows on the old wood, I don’t prune it. But I may have to cut out some of the dead branches, Chris, because some of them are clearly dead.
Thanks, Chris.
Stay safe.