It Might Be Heaven, But Are We Sure It's Iowa??

March 20, 2016
My friends, I am having a tough time with our gorgeous weather!  Plants are growing, crocus are blooming and daffodil buds are getting ready!!  Daylilies have begun to grow, etc.

All this is to say... because the plant growth is SO far ahead of normal (Plants wouldn't normally be growing at this rate and I wouldn't be raking yet - not until mid-April!!), I feel "Way Behind" before it's really time to start!!

I raked three tarp-loads yesterday... it was beautifully warm!  We received rain today, and the forecast shows more rain in store tonight.  Tomorrow through Friday's forecasts show a reprieve from rain.  It might be soggy, but I know I'll be out raking again!!

July 5, 2016

Yes... it's been a few months!  But I began this post and I was determined to finish it - before doing another!   Yes.  All the leaves were finally raked and taken away.  Even Mr. Shady pitched in, and was I happy about that!!!

Have a great day.  I hope your weather is perfect, all is well and you are enjoying your gardens!!!

Who Knows What Manner of Leaves Lie in the Heart of the Raised Beds?

To see a nice slide show of the photos, click on the first one (after you've read the post, of course!) ;-)

Or in any other sites around the yard, such as next to the house south of the front deck...

And the front of the south side of the front deck...

Or, looking north a bit further, you can see the rest of this front bed that has been unraked, contrasting with the parts that were raked (today!).

It's Spring!  It's Spring!  That Heady time of year, when tons of wicked little leaves (and rakes) suddenly "appear!" 

These  leaves await my rake.  They are along the southeast side of the house...

 


This side of the driveway looks really great!!  Raked the lawn and beds Friday!

So far, I've only raked one tarp-load of leaves today... a few minutes ago, dark clouds and thunder rolled in.  It rained hard (!) for a minute or two...

But now it's stopped, and I'm ready to head back outdoors to rake another load!  The worst thing about raking wet leaves is the fact that, piled on a tarp, the load is much heavier than dry leaves... and harder to pull any distance at all...

Not complaining, much.  It looks so NICE and CLEAN and I am so happy when I get an area raked!

Sunny Corner bed, raked yesterday

Now, with regard to Camelot:  I haven't seen the movie in many, many years.  But we haven't yet reached the month of May, and I have a LOT of raking to do before I can attempt any other thing!  (Except to enjoy the Spring blossoms that appear at this time of year!)

 Hellebore (Royal Heritage)

Siberian Squill

Can you spot a few of the daffodils I planted a couple of years ago... in the "way back?"  (I hope to plant a lot more this coming Fall!!!)

Getting ready for  Virginia Bluebells!

Happy Spring!  Happy Spring Gardening to you, my blogging friends!!
Shady Gardener... though, until the leaves appear on our deciduous Oak trees, I'm really feeling Sunny!  :-)

ABC Wednesday -M for Minute Minute Minuet!

Click on these words to view other posts - or to participate yourself!

 One, Two, Three;  One, Two, Three!

 One, two, three; Leaf me be!  Can't you see?  I'm raking!

 (April 6, 2013)

Watch it please; I may sneeze!  These old leaves - are dusty!

(April 4, 2013)                                  (April 9, 2013)

 Pile on tarp; Looking sharp! At least I'm -thinking so!

(April 4, 2013)

 Move on back.  Cannot slack!  Finish soon - 'fore it rains.

(April 6, 2013)                             (April 9, 2013)

Looky here; we're very near.  Lovely ones - are nodding!

 (April 9, 2013)

Daffodils - give me thrills.  Want to see?  Dividing!

 (April 9, 2013)

 Minute love -sweetly blue - hug me do, you sweethearts!

Tiny ones; cast your eye!  Hands and knees; I'm peering!

(April 9, 2013)

One, two, three.  Can't you see?  Spring is here.  I'm thrilling!

One, Two, Three; counting be.  My Minute, One-Minute, Sweet Minuet!

(April 6, 2013)                                                              (April 9, 2013)

 (April 9, 2013)

Dancing around the garden beds!

Enjoying the sights, sounds and smells.

Two days ago we had 1 1/4" of rain.

By this afternoon we had received another 2" of rain (!), and it continues!

Perhaps we'll recapture ground moisture lost from last year's very severe drought (and dry summer of 2011).

Temps are to be low tonight.  Mr. Shady took in the rain gauge ...

Hopefully I won't rue the time I've spent raking and removing the layer of mulch/warmth.

This post is exclusive property of http://yardisgreen.blogspot.com

Happy Spring, nevertheless!

SG

Flower-y Friday

A Friendly Friday post.  ;-)

Spring has sprung,

the grass has riz,

and I'm aware

of How Early it is!

Iris 'Sheila Ann Germany' is a desirable hybrid between Iris histrioides and Iris winogradowii.  While I don't really understand the botanical names, this iris is an early bloomer and grows from a bulb.

I purchased the iris below as "dwarf iris" several years ago.  They are both in the iris reticulata family.  They increase return every year and increase in number.  At least, these two varieties do.  The yellows gave up after a couple of years. 

Information taken from BBC Plant Finder:  "Iris reticulata is an early flowering iris, usually appearing from late winter to early spring. The blooms vary from pale blue to deep violet with central yellow splashes down the middle of each petal. In recognition of its outstanding excellence, the Royal Horticultural Society have given it their prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Plant the bulbs 5-10cm (2-4in) apart at twice their own depth in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in sun or partial shade. To propagate, divide bulbs from mid-summer to early autumn to increase stocks."

These also grow from bulbs.

These are Bitty little crocus that are increasing in number.

I'm thinking I need to dig them up after a bit and spread them around.

Somehow there are even a couple in the backyard!

 Dutch Crocus - larger flowers.

I purchased the hardy Cyclamen below as 'Cyclamen neapolitanum.'  Wikipedia's description:  "The species name hederifolium comes from hedera "ivy" and folium "leaf", because of the shape and patterning of the leaves. The older species name, neapolitanum, refers to Naples, where the species grows."

There are several leaf shapes.  The flowers are as sweet as can be.  :-)

Ode to Spring

“Spring has sprung,

The Grass has riz,

I wonder where the birdies is?

The little bird is on the wing,

But that’s absurd! 

Because the wing is on the bird!”

 'Tete-a-tete' daffodils are as "cute" as can be!  They increase in number - a welcome addition to the early garden.

Another cute little crocus.

Just a little sample of the fun!

(The real fun comes with the raking of the leaves... once all danger of frost has passed!)  :-)

Come on over!  I've extra rakes!  lol.
SG