In addition to “the waking up of our gardens,” via hundreds of emerging plants and colorful blossoms, there is much to celebrate in April.
April is known as both National Garden Month and National Orchid Month. Then, there are the official celebrations: Earth Day, Arbor Day, and even National Dandelion Day (who knew?).
In fact, this year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. But, of course, the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has changed everything, and celebrations have been cancelled or postponed.
However, in spite of recent damaging wind, rain, and snowstorms, our garden keeps on giving us joy. Many daffodils, tulips, grape hyacinths, bloodroots, phlox subulatas, and brunneras are doing their thing! But the “daffies” are the real winners. One can never have too many daffodils.
Our cherry tree is full of pink blossoms, and the leaves of the crabapple and the seven-son tree (Heptacodium miconioides) are starting to appear. Nothing yet from the dogwoods.
The peony bushes “are on their way” as the foliage begins to sprout out of the ground.
In the vegetable garden, clumps of chives (planted in containers) and the rhubarb’s red stems are ready for some harvesting.
Because of the recent rains, the ground is damp and it’s not good to walk in the garden. However, we are able to reach some areas via flagstones, Belgian blocks or cement pavers that we have laid.
It’s time to turn over the concrete birdbath bowls, which spend the winters upside down so that they don’t crack during the freezing cold weather. Maybe someday we’ll replace them with granite bowls, which can withstand any weather.
Indoors, our houseplants are just so-so. They really need to be repotted. Alas, I keep putting it off. But, they’ll have to wait since I really rather be outdoors.
There are vegetable seeds to sow and lots of pruning, dividing and staking to do. And then there are the hostas and creeping phlox that I bought last fall and never got around to plant. And, did I mention the seemingly millions of healthy weeds?
Ah, yes! I’m daydreaming and plotting for sure!
