When April puts the green back in Grassy, it's time to get up from my writing desk and go back to work outside. A hard, cold winter heightens our gratitude for color and warmth and it's time for some physical exercise. Gradual and hesitant, our North Carolina mountain is awakening. Every morning I run out and look for an asparagus shoot. Today, the first few cherry blossoms are opening. (That's how far behind we are.)
 |
| Snow is gone! |
One huge spring chore is cleaning up after winter, cutting back stalks of old perennials and dividing the crowded ones, collecting fallen limbs cutting them up or burning them and spreading the ash. The gravel road is rutted from gully-washers, and it takes a tractor to scrape the gravel back into place. We've been adding to the compost bin all winter and it's about ready to spread, so we start a new one. This year, our ten year old garden will be completely rebuilt.
 |
| original garden will get an update |
It's tempting to bring blooming plants home from the gardening stores and start planting. We are as eager to plant in spring as to quit when frosts whiten the hills in autumn. I've managed to keep a few annuals and young perennials alive over the winter in the greenhouse and I'm anxious to get those out in the sun too.
A small shelter for sprouting seeds and seedlings, the greenhouse helps temper the urge to plant outside before the weather can keep us above freezing. I use a small 12 watt bathroom heater to keep it warm overnight and keep jugs of water all around the perimeter to moderate temperature changes. On a sunny day in the fifties, the temperature inside the greenhouse can soar over 100 degrees. It's a game of venting to cool when it's sunny and closing to heat when its cloudy or cold.
 |
| greenhouse cleaned up for the season |
Spiders, wasps, frogs, mice, chipmunks, rabbits and frogs all try to take shelter too. Mice make winter nests under pots or inside drawers or any undisturbed enclosure. Whole rolls of paper towels have disappeared only to be found later, shredded and home-designed!
 |
| Rudy and Bandit |
But my Rat Terriers walk in and sniff around and all rodent types hurry to evacuate. It's time for cleaning out winter kill and washing the plexiglass walls to let the maximum sun in.
And it's time to watch the moon. I've found that the best time to plant most seeds is near the new moon and the best time to transplant is near the full moon. Sometimes, when that's not convenient or possible, I go ahead and plant but without equal success. These baby zinnia plants are just sprouting the cotyledons. When there are four more true leaves, they will get individual pots to grow until after our last expected frost. (Mother's Day approximately)
One of the best things about working with plants is that every year, there are surprises. This year, my red petunias seeded into an empty pot and dozens of new plants came up and are already blooming. Another surprise is the number of lobelia plants that self-seeded into other pots. Both are favorite colorful summer porch plants.
 |
| overwintered plants, killed-back plants coming out, flats and new seedlings in the greenhouse |
Last year, a friend (Susan, you know that's you) told me to go to the Home Goods store for terrific planters and pots. The cost is low and I'm beginning to accumulate nicer and larger ones for container gardening. It helps to keep and recycle every plastic pot, tray or carrier that comes in. One day soon, we'll have a plant swap. Today, I'm ready to grow flowers for cutting. Come any time and cut what we have. Call ahead and I can let you know what's blooming.
 |
Finally, shaking off the hibernation of winter!
|
Well, so come on up. See you soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment