Let the Planting Begin!

I started my planting of containers last night. I always enjoy getting those empty containers filled up again for another season of beauty. The past few years I've settled in to planting of certain plants in certain containers. It does vary some depending on what I find in the garden centers.
When I started planting last night I found some annuals didn't make it because of the cold wet weather we've had. I had something in some of the pots I've never had before-mold. It's been so cold and rainy here this month and the pots were fairly crowded without a lot of sun. Each year it seems I lose a few plants to the cold or drying out or this year too much water.
All the gardens are filling out with the perennials going strong with the warmer weather and plenty of moisture. I still have more planting of annuals and a couple of perennials. I purchased my tomato and pepper plants this week and want to plant the vegetable garden before the weekend. I will be busy the next few nights after work.

Work While the Sun Shines

Been very busy in the gardens this week. I was still cleaning last year's growth out. I finally finished my grass covered hill tonight and can actually see the plants that are supposed to be there. This is always my least favorite weeding task. With our sandy soil my other gardens are a breeze to weed but the grass and the hill make this one tough. I'm ready for some planting and it looks like a second round of easier weeding in the other gardens. There's more rain in the forecast for a couple of days so I may have a break.
I encountered my first backyard frog tonight when moving some containers around on the potting bench. They always surprise me but usually it's when I use the grill.

Cherry blossoms turned pink

Crabapple

dwarf Iris "What Again"

variegated Solomon's Seal

"Blue Moon" Wisteria bud

After 2 evenings of labor

I did snap some pictures before it got too dark. Everyday it seems there's something new to discover. I was excited to see there's buds on the "Blue Moon" wisteria I bought last year. I've had an "Aunt Dee" for many years now with no blooms. I got the new one because it had flowers on it when I bought it so I knew it could bloom. Small now but I know it will shoot up quickly.

Finally Sunshine!

Rhododendron "Elite

Cherry blossoms

Bergenia

After a rainy week we finally have sunshine and a dry forecast for the next few days. Hope to get some things done this week. Mom and I went to a couple of garden centers today. Didn't find too many interesting annuals but did find my 2 replacement apple trees. Not too big so we stuffed them both in my little car. This time of year it's amazing how much plant material I can pack in my compact car(a Chevy Prism).

Star magnolia

today's purchases

to do:clean out

Magnolia "Ann"

Snapped pics of more blossoms. I love how from late March until October there's always something new blooming in the gardens. So glad God didn't create everything to bloom at the same time. I like the way they all take turns showing off.

All in a Week's Time

Here in Minnesota we've gone from snow flurries to temps in the 80's and then back to rain and colder fifty degree temps again. Things in the gardens have really taken off with the warmer weather. Plants and trees now have tiny leaves. The daffodils continue to bloom, the rhododendrons are blooming, the star magnolia is leafing out after putting on it's flowery show and my favorite, magnolia "Ann'" is now beginning to bloom with is lovely pink flowers. I still have a couple of gardens to clean out- one is the large hillside garden that seems to sprout a mess of unwanted grass every spring. I did spend some time this week starting up my fountain and getting our pool filled up and running. I tried to finally fill the liner I had for a wine barrel I purchased last year. Unfortunately there's a leak somewhere. I have waited 2 years to use the cute little pump my husband gave me for a barrel water garden. First I couldn't find a barrel and then last year we were working on the house where the barrel will sit.
My favorite way to spend my time in the month of May is nursery hopping with my mom. For several weeks we hit several local garden centers. Mom has a state hort. society membership so she has discounts at several places. It seems every year we find some new and interesting plants we just have to try. I have most of the annuals bought but need to find a Chestnut crab and a Honeycrisp apple tree to replace the ones the rabbits destroyed this winter. I was so sad to discover the damage since I've had them for seven years already.
After a cold wet day tomorrow it looks like things will improve next week. I will be ready to start my container planting and think about the vegetable garden. I bought seeds but no plants yet. My second year asparagus are popping up. We are patiently waiting for the year we can begin to harvest our crop.

So much to do!

before

two weeks ago

first blooms of spring

planted these last year after purchasing for Easter and forgot where I had planted them until I saw this pretty little clump of yellow

I came home from work today and spent some time starting to clean out gardens. I feel somewhat behind this year because we're experiencing the winter that will never ends here in Minnesota. I started in the front yard and will work my way back to backyard. Getting close to the ground really let me see is actually coming up. Things are so much slower than last year but most everything is coming. That's always a good sign after a long winter. We have been redoing the outside of our home the last two years and will finish up with the soffits and fascia this year(my hubby has done all the work except for the large picture window install). The gardens will look so much better against the new backdrop.

Finally decided to jump in and create my own blog. Looking forward to sharing my experience and garden views with others. Out of time to post some photos now but will do more tomorrow. Check back often!