It seems that spring has at long last made its way to the mountaintop - happy days indeed! We are not out of the woods yet, but our last snowfall has melted and soon the trees will be leafing out. Is there ever a more beautiful sight than the soft green flush of trees in springtime?
Meanwhile, as always, I've been hard at work around here getting the house and gardens ready for spring. Not only ready for spring, but also ready for a bridal shower in May and a wedding in June! The wedding is not at my house, but there will be photos in the garden, as I have always dreamed from the time I planted my very first garden.
No pressure, right?
One by one I've been clearing out all the garden beds....all the huge tasks have been done, there are only a few smaller areas to clear out at this point. Whew!
We had a stretch of good weather over the weekend, and I took advantage of the warm dry days to get the deck ready for the season. That's always a huge project as the deck needs to be power washed and re-stained every single year. Yup. Every year.
Our extreme winter weather takes quite a toll on the deck, and shoveling doesn't help either. I know the moisture from my deck garden contributes to the wear and tear also, but there's no way I'm giving up my deck garden!
So, I take on the back breaking task every year, and it's always such a huge relief to have it behind me.
We have a couple of frosts coming up this week, and then the weather looks good after that point....fingers crossed!
I have brought out the geraniums I overwintered, and some of the seedlings are in my little greenhouse hardening off for spring planting.
I'll have to bring out my little plastic 'greenhouses' and cover the pansies and veggies I've already planted....that's ok, that's exactly what I save them for, and my collection has grown all winter.
Remember all you gardeners out there - save those plastic containers that can act as a mini greenhouse if you are hit with a late frost! I can't tell you how incredibly useful they have been for me in the past!
In the veggie garden I have planted onions and shallots, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, and lettuce so far. The garlic is coming up strong from last fall's planting, and there's a soft rain falling today, giving everything a good watering.
The lilacs are getting ready to bloom, something I am super excited about every year. I can't wait to bring bouquets of lilacs into the house and enjoy their sweet scent.
I'm not sure what this is but it's in bloom all around my house.....if anyone can help identify this tree I'd appreciate it! It sure has unusual buds!
After these frosts are behind us, I'll take a ride to my favorite garden center and get some ideas for this year's deck garden.
This was last summer's deck garden....ooh I cannot wait for it to look like that once more!
It was my first successful summer with Dahlias, and I have successfully overwintered all but one variety, which is super exciting!
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Remember that even if you only have a small outdoor space, you can still create a beautiful outdoor oasis. I spend so much time on the deck swing in the summer, listening to the creek and the beautiful night noises....it's my heaven on earth.
Meanwhile, I better try and be patient and remember that we can still get snow....sigh.
What's happening in your neck of the woods?