Winter just won’t totally yield to spring here in Minnesota. It reminds me of a small child who starts to drift off to nap, then wriggles, cries, and tries to stay awake one … more … minute.
Is the solution to just sit quietly and wait until sweet slumber is undeniable?
Do we have a choice?
Up next in the spring garden work is the swap out of seasonal items in the gardens. Since we are getting new roofs at the townhome this year, and the schedule is very much tbd, I will not be putting out many garden decorations there. Things that are sturdy, things I can pull back inside easily will be it. The frogs playing checkers have already found a home. The concrete welcome frog stays inside this year. So that only leaves the frog on the swing and a few little frogs. Good enough. For this year.
Every spring there comes a day when I say to my husband, “It’s time to start saving coffee grounds.” He knows why. They go on the plants in the garden as soon as the ground starts to thaw. The slugs don’t like them, the squirrels kind of don’t like them, and some people say they fertilize the plants. And they are free. And the plants have done better since I started doing that – many years ago.
Today was the first application day. I would say probably a couple more weeks and we’re done.
During the winter we have dark-eyed junkos come to visit. They seem to live in our large pine tree during the winter, as they fly in and out of there quite a bit. We love seeing them, and want to continue to encourage them to return late each fall.
We are considering adding back bird feeders at the townhouse. They need to be in the rock, per the townhome covenants, but I think we have a space.
Last fall I brought a ‘Patriot’ hosta, that was in a corner by the patio, up north. The hosta was in too much sun, and it burned every year. I am taking a chance, of course, that it will be deer food up north, but I would rather feed the deer up north than burn a hosta at the townhouse.
That corner is now open. If we put a feeder there we would, again, have our acrobatic squirrel buddies antics, but our bird feeders are already squirrel worn, and they could “spread the love” to the dark-eyed junkos on the ground.
Not a “Do” yet. Thinking we’ll wait til late next fall. Perhaps a seasonal thing. Feeders in the winter, hanging sturdy solar lanterns in the summer?
In the meantime, what should go in that corner? Not a sedum – too many bees in the fall. Not a daylily – too close to the edge and will get blown by the landscape maintenance. What is sturdy and blower proof? Maybe just a garden figurine. Now what do we have already that could be put there? Frogs playing checkers? That will do 🙂
The air at the townhouse is warming and the ground is showing. The gardens need some love. They need the bigger twigs and small branches removed, and they need the rock to move back inside the lines – haha! Luck would have it – I have time! And a need, myself, to to hang out, exactly where they are.
It is a day to celebrate! The giant snow pile finally melted it’s last, and it looks like no blizzards in the forecast – hahaha! Wow! It was a long winter this year!
Spring is here!
Wait, another snow storm.
Yes! Warmer weather. The snow plow pile is almost gone!
Wait, an ice storm followed by more snow.
Such is a Minnesota March. But we have arrived at April! Hallelujah! Although we have had snow at the beginning of June – on the irises I was cutting to bring to our kids teachers – it is super rare. And, in fact, when we were out raking the other day, we discovered the ground is beginning to thaw and a few sprouts are starting to come up.
Over the winter up north we had a dawn and dusk deer parade – anywhere from 3 to 16 deer coming through. Usually around 9-10. We discovered their pattern and where they meet up. There were many wonderful hours of deer watching. And unfortunately one coyote, and one night yipping. The does will drop their fawns soon – always a vulnerable time. And the bucks are starting to grow their antlers – just starting.
I told my husband that for all the wonderful hours of deer watching we have had, it will be hard for me to be upset at their hosta browsing. But maybe stay away from the daylilies ok? We shall see.
The Asian lilies are blooming! First to bloom are the orange sherbet color
Next are the pink color
Soon the fuchsia. But that’s for another day.
Yesterday morning I went to go see the goats again. They have done a wonderful job of clearing the invasive buckthorn and I am told they eat the seeds, so next year their job should be lighter.
The babies who were primarily nursing last week are also now feeding on the ground foliage. The difference one week makes.
Today my friend sent me this picture
Clearly the goats are wrapping up what they are going to eat on the ground level right now and are looking for yummies at new heights. They will soon be picked up and brought to their next grazing site.
Thoughts will then turn to next year. If the historical site is able to raise funds again the goats will come back next year for round two.
If you are so inclined, donations can be sent to Hastings Area Historical Society at 104 Fourth Street East in Hastings, MN 55033.
Susan's Daily Garden 