Now that was a solid weekend.
The weather finally cooperated and the softball season kicked off in style.
Later that night, a walk over the Delaware river for ice cream at sunset.
The first flower of the year revealed itself.
With others soon on their way.
Hours were spent outside cleaning up the garden, getting her ready for the season and obtaining a solid sunburn. It’s amazing what a little sunshine and warmer temps will do for the soul. I am one invigorated mo fo.
The clean up revealed more perennials letting me know they are on their merry way.
Most of the ornamental grasses were cut down albeit later than in years past because of the long winter/spring.
It was a chance to get down on the hands and knees and observe off season developments like with this Itea and its newly shedded bark.
What was a dead foliage playground has returned back to bare ground with only hints of plant life.
I even had a chance to do some garden analysis. This view is my newest obsession. This is what I see each day as I pull into my driveway. It is time to expand it further.
It looks OK in the summer.
But we’re ready to expand that bad boy. Take notice of the orange extension cord. We’ll soon be filling it all in with cardboard I’ve been hoarding all winter so we can kill that grass and plant more.
We made it out to our favorite pepper and tomato nursery, Cross Country Nursery, which is literally within walking distance from our house. The selection is off the hook so on our first run of the season we stocked up on poblanos, jalapenos, basil and a bunch of tomato plants. We will be back again in the near future.
Hell, I even brought in the cut branches of the Redtwig Dogwood and Dappled Willow because I’m like a totally kick ass interior decorator.
You know you are impressed.
It was all then topped off with a fresh grapefruit and tequila cocktail.
Good times.
So happy for you John and excited to see your gardens this summer!
Must have been an infectious thing in the wind, as I also went out into my Somerset County garden and got myself a good solid sunburn across my cheeks and nose, and a nice sore body as I too used hoarded cardboard to create a new grass & weed-free bed (I actually didn’t have enough, we went back to Costco and grabbed more of the big sheets that come between layers of products on pallets).
Found under winter clutter and dead oak leaves:
daylilies (yeah, I know you hate them)
sedum
lemon balm
bee balm
sweet woodruff
Jacob’s ladder
yarrow
Squills and yellow daffodils are blooming like mad, the hyacinths are beginning to open, and a few crocus and aconite survived to come up as well. We’ll see what the next few weeks have to offer.
That is an impressively large area that you are claiming for additionl garden bed space. Do you have a plan in mind and, if so, do you tend to stick to it or are you more an improv type?
And yes…I see you used some Redtwig Dogwood branches for
an arrangement. I’m impressed!!