ProfessorRoush did just exactly what he said
in last week's blog as he skedaddled last Sunday out into a rare, warm early February. I chose to tackle the back garden bed surrounding the patio, a choice made on the basis that it is the south-facing bed and was bathed in sunshine all afternoon. I wanted those golden rays on the back of my neck all day and blessedly received it!
On a day where the local temperatures reached 70ºF, I quickly shed first a down sleeveless vest and then a flannel shirt, baring maximal skin for Vitamin D production within minutes after starting. Short sleeves in February? Oh, yes and loving every minute, as was the grass-rolling and sunshine-crazy Bella, joining me in the joy of a pseudo-Spring.
Sheetbarrow II and I launched into full antic mode, respectively holding and pulling load after load of daylily debris, rose cuttings, and other leavings down to the trimmings pile, to be burned along with the prairie when spring really arrives.
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It was a great weather day for great accomplishments and at the end of a few hours, I had cleaned up the entire back perennial bed and the smaller daylily and peony bed near the deck. I know that some fastidious and flaky gardeners don't consider this "clean," as it is certainly not raked to bare ground, but this is as close as my garden ever gets to spring tidiness. ProfessorRoush removes the vast overage of last summer's growth and if a few leaves and old mulch are left behind, so much the better to put new mulch upon. At least nothing is impeding the sprouts of daylilies and daffodils as they push up from the cold earth.
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The rebirth of life is, in fact, already starting in my garden, the tranquil and healthy daffodil sprouts in the first picture above uncovered from within the dried remnants of last years leaves. You can see before and after pictures of both beds both above and here. Pick over them to your heart's content, because the next time you see pictures of these, the edges and debris will be covered in green. Since winter returned this week, with the highest daytime temperature only reaching the 50º mark and that on a brisk windy day that felt 30º, I can only pray that it will come soon.
ProfessorRoush did just exactly what he said in last week's blog as he skedaddled last Sunday out into a rare, warm early February. I chose to tackle the back garden bed surrounding the patio, a choice made on the basis that it is the south-facing bed and was bathed in sunshine all afternoon. I wanted those golden rays on the back of my neck all day and blessedly received it!
On a day where the local temperatures reached 70ºF, I quickly shed first a down sleeveless vest and then a flannel shirt, baring maximal skin for Vitamin D production within minutes after starting. Short sleeves in February? Oh, yes and loving every minute, as was the grass-rolling and sunshine-crazy Bella, joining me in the joy of a pseudo-Spring. Sheetbarrow II and I launched into full antic mode, respectively holding and pulling load after load of daylily debris, rose cuttings, and other leavings down to the trimmings pile, to be burned along with the prairie when spring really arrives.
I enjoyed the nice weather as well. A welcome reprieve from the terrible cold and wet. I was digging over soil in the Veg garden yesterday and got warmed up enough to have to ditch the flannel for short sleeves. While cold weather shall still be the norm for the next month and a half, the hardy annuals and daffodils trying to poke through already gives me hope to go on. Bella certainly seems to have enjoyed herself in the sun!
ReplyDeleteBella always enjoys herself!
ReplyDelete