Let The Record Reflect That Spring 2011 Really Began On April 17th

Sun shining, 60 degrees in the shade, a little wind, but nothing like Saturday's gusts, today was the perfect day for us to get into the garden for the first time in 2011.  I'm not counting that one warm Friday afternoon when I started cleaning up the patio garden ages ago.  And no, I haven't finished cleaning up that garden yet and it's embarrassing now:

 

First on my agenda for the day was seeding the area that Lee turned over for me while I was in South Carolina.  That's from the end of the veggie garden to the shed encompassing a few stumps and the butterfly bush:

 

The lovage I grew from seed last spring came back -- woohoo!  So I decided to extend the veggie garden a little bit.  I'm still mulling over what else to plant here, but it will be mulched like the veggie garden:

 

The rest of the turned earth was seeded with various packages from Botanical Interests -- Broom Corn (Amish Rainbow Blend) and Amaranth (Autumn Palette) along the fence with Poppy (Lauren's Grape), Columbine (Yellow Spotlight), Perennial Bloom mix, and Xeriscape Extreme mix scattered between the big stumps and grass seed under the butterfly bush.  I know I didn't do a great job of spreading the seed, but it was a little too windy for it, which I only discovered after I had started.  An example of the beautiful packaging of Botanical Interest's seeds:

  

Lee brought the pots up from the basement for me.  I don't know if the rosemary that was dying before we moved it down there survived or not, the Japanese maple didn't look good, but there were some signs of life in the big containers, but I think it was the silver falls dichondra, not the lemongrass or the salvia.  The dahlia tubers were great and a few were even sprouting already.  But the again, the lemongrass in the fish container didn't seem to be doing anything.  For now they're all on the patio, though the dahlia tubers have been moved inside until I can get around to them:

 

Also hanging out on the patio are the seedlings:

 

Most have true leaves already and though a few of the leggy seedlings didn't fare well in the wind (I'm talking to you, Red Acre Cabbage), the rest are just going to have to deal.  You've got to be tough to survive in my garden:

 

The first impulse buy of the spring -- 2 Husky Cherry Tomato plants from Home Depot (I had to pick up a new leaf blower/sucker when our 3-year-old one died today).  And some red onion starts:

 

I turned on the water to the outside spigot and picked up a new "hose" at HD as well.  I like this a lot better than the coiled hose that never held its coil after one use.  May I present the Ames Water Genie Bottomless Watering Can:

 

I spent some time clearing off the perennial shade containers and delighting in the hostas, astilbes, and ferns coming up at last: 

 

Only the lavender spent the winter in the basement.  The rest of these herbs were pressed a few inches into the raised bed and covered in lots and lots of snow all winter.  And yes, all the containers made it through unscathed:

 

And my last effort of the day was tidying up the Endless Summer hydrangea:

 

There is much work yet to be done.  Potatoes and onions to get in the ground.  Carrot, radish, Swiss chard, beet, and kale seeds to plant.  And lots and lots of clean-up still to do.  But Lee's on vacation this week and if the April showers will give him a break, he should be able to get quite a bit accomplished.

Comments

[Mummer]

I like that Ames Endless Watering can idea so much that I actually looked it up on your post's link. It's available locally here, and it's very reasonably priced, too.
And maybe, just maybe, I can find some onion sets. They are impossible to get in Southwest Florida.
Your post reminded me of how much fun it is to see winter's survivors - hope your Japanese
maple seedling perks up. Let me know if it needs a 'southern' home.

[Sarah]

Thanks for the advice at Home Depot yesterday! We drilled holes in the bottom of the casks. They add alot to the front of the house.

[Heather's Garden]

Mom -- Mine was just under $20. Maybe I'll mail you the leftover onion sets if I have any.

Sarah -- You're welcome! I'm glad you came by to see the blog. Isn't it funny when strangers give you unsolicited advice in parking lots?

[commonweeder]

Spring chores certainly are in full swing. It is such an exciting time of year and You are in high productivity mode. Soon I'll be able to join you. I checked my lovage - and it is also up. Just barely.