We have two kinds of crabapple trees on the property. My favorites are on the far side of the house. They’re the same kind as the crabapple that was cut down a few years ago by an overzealous county employee. I still miss that tree, but I am heartened that I discovered two more like it.
I noticed it was blooming because we decided to mow the main part of the front lawn on Saturday. The grass was quite tall and we knew it was going to rain all day on Sunday.
While we were finishing up on the far side of the house, I saw the pink blooms of the crabapple. There’s a larger tree just beyond it but there were no visible buds yet. I’ll check it out today.
All this green, and after three days of temps in the high 80s, so many perennials have shot out of the ground. And what do we have tonight? A low of 27 degrees and frost. I feel a scream coming on. Since it’s impossible to cover our garden beds, I just have to hope that my well-established perennials can handle it. They are decades old and fairly hardy, so my fingers are crossed.
But it’s worrisome.
I still haven’t raked those beds, so I hope the leaves provide some protection. It went down to about 33 degrees last night. After tonight, we should get back to normal. I plan to buy some more porch plants tomorrow and start potting them.
This spring, just like the winter, has been crazy.
Don has to go to the doctor this morning for a shot in his eye. Thankfully, he only has to do this about every 3 months.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
These up and down temps are so typical for my area. So chilly today but up in the 70s tomorrow. I’m just glad the sun is out today.
Your grass looks great!
It’s been a while since we’ve had a freeze this late in April. Not happy!
Stay safe, Ellen.
Good Morning Claudia! I hope your plants will weather the ups and downs, but if they have been fine for years, a little late frost shouldn’t kill them. The real killing is too often warm days in mid-winter when the ground is frozen and the plants emerge too early. But I know how you feel! Every year I go out anxiously to see what is still alive out there. And every year there are surprises I did not anticipate. Mother Nature can be hard to predict. Recently I have been suffering a rash of self seeded daylilies… all I can think is that I added a “vigorous hybridizer” to my collection at some point… the off-spring are not the colors I have chosen and not the same at all! Add to that they “show up” in the cracks between pavers and at the edge of borders…… So now I am set on weeding them out! But it is strange. I have not had this happen before in 40 years of perennial gardening all over New England…! I am also needing to “dead head” before the lilies set seeds… a task I have never done before with daylilies! Anyway…. enjoy your beautiful crab apple blossoms! Spring is here for sure in spite of frosty mornings.
Thankfully, every plant weathered the frost, Betsy.
Now, I have to get to work clearing the beds, but it’s raining this morning.
Stay safe.
We are finally having some good weather and the pollen has improved so I’m able to enjoy a little outdoor time. Love those pink buds!
So glad you can get outside, Linda.
Stay safe.
hopefully the temperature doesn’t drop that low, and the plants make it through just fine.
your buds and lawn are beautiful!
praying for those shots to help don’s eyes.
hope you two and everyone else have a safe and lovely day.
kathy
It did drop that low – and for several hours – but everything is okay.
Stay safe, Kathy.
dear Claudia/Don — You all sure get a lot of living out of your cottage !!! it is great to read about it !! Our house is old and some days I don’t even go in some of the rooms — hope there is not any critter family living in them!! haha the buds on your crabapple are very pretty — ours were ready to bloom and we had a very cold freeze killing all the blooms. today here, is very sunny but with a cool breeze — wind is a little biting — frost for tonite. Hope you all stay safe/healthy
So sorry about your crabapple blooms, Linda. How frustrating!
Stay safe.
Your crabapple tree is going to be beautiful when it is in full bloom. Crazy how the temps go up and down. Fingers crossed your plants will be okay. Hugs, Elainr
Everything is okay, Elaine. So thankful.
Stay safe.
Your house is looking so pretty — and when those crabapples pop big time it will be a wow!
Thanks, Jeanie. I only wish the crabapples stayed in bloom for a longer period of time.
Stay safe.
We try to participate in No Mow May and put off mowing as long as possible and later mow no more than once a week. Apparently this is a good practice for early pollinators, other creatures and the environment. We also love the dandelions, clover and violets and we never have to water the grass. Win win.
We never mow more than once a week – we have too much property. No mow May is a great idea but it is not for us. Our grass grows very fast and we would never be able to mow it if we left it for a month! We do all the pushing ourselves. But we have wilder areas on the property that we leave alone so it all balances out.
Stay safe, Barbara.