Gardening: Growing Update

The past few days have been GORGEOUS - definitely with a capital 'G' - here in Detroit. I mean who would complain about mid-70's in Michigan at the end of March/start of April? Hopefully Mother Nature isn't playing some sort of April Fools' trick on me...

When I walked Riley around the neighborhood the other evening I could smell the grass and warm air and damp earth and it truly smelled like warm weather and Spring once again. (OK, besides the nice smells I also sneezed a little with the tree pollen that's suddenly appeared too). I even saw a bunch of active golf carts on the course next door. Ah to be out in the warmth and sunlight once again! Can you tell I'm excited?

So with all of this said, it's about that time of year again where I start giving you my garden/plant growing update. Although I don't plan to start as many seeds this year, there'll still be plenty to share with you.

Some Stonecrop Sedum is on its way up....

The Allium are getting closer to forming flower shoots...
Creeping Jenny is starting to turn green once again (many of you may recognize this as something people put in their window boxes and planters in the summer...you may not have realized it can be grown as a perennial).
Nothing nicer than some fuzzy Poppy leaves...makes me smile thinking about the pretty (though fleeting) bright pink, papery flowers they'll show me in a few months.
And the herb garden is starting to come back (do you know how tired I am of buying herbs all winter knowing I have all of these in my garden?!?)

Here's a small sampling...there are some Chives...

and Oregano

and Salad Burnet (it smells and tastes like cucumber!)

some Germander (can't say I've used this in anything yet...)

Spring Tulips are on their way up and out...

and my Peonies are showing the beginning signs of life.

Oh Rhubarb, I can't wait to cook up your tasty deliciousness...(so much better than what I can find in the grocery store)

And the smell of some gorgeous, fragrant Hyacinths...just in time for Easter Weekend.

Enjoy the pictures...hope they start to get you thinking and inspired to start some spring cleanup in the yard and flower beds...and start thinking about what you want to plant around the house this year. I know I can't wait!

Gardening: The First Sign of Spring

You can't imagine how excited I'm getting this week here in Detroit...the sun is shining, it's getting close to 60 degrees outside...and the first peeks of spring flowers are starting to appear! Welcome back Spring!!!

Gardening: Weekly Update

More flowers are in bloom this week in my garden...alliums, bearded irises, and columbine. And the peonies are budded out!

Happy Mother's Day!

Dear Mom -

I saw these tulips this morning when we went to brunch and thought of you. They reminded me of how you try to make the world a more beautiful place through your art and art lessons, flower gardens, and home make-over projects and the endless things you seem to always be doing for others. You taught me to not be afraid to be creative and express myself and be my own person. I am your #1 fan. Happy Mother's Day.

I love you.

Sarah

Nature: Goldfinch

Today a beautiful, little goldfinch visited me outside the bathroom window. He even was kind enough to wait for me to fetch my camera so I could gently capture his image through the screen.

From John Keats' "I Stood Tip-Toe Upon a Little Hill" (1817)

Sometimes goldfinches one by one will drop
From low hung branches; little space they stop;
But sip, and twitter, and their feathers sleek:
Then off at once, as in a wanton freak:
Or perhaps, to show their black, and golden wings,
Pausing upon their yellow flutterings.
Were I in such a place, I sure should pray
That nought less sweet, might call my thoughts away.
Than the soft rustle of a maiden's gown
Fanning away the dandelion's down;
Than the light music of her nimble toes
Patting against the sorrel as she goes.
How she would start, and blush, thus to be caught
Playing in all her innocence of thought. (5. 27-40)

You can read the entire poem here if you wish.

Gardening: Starting from Seed Update

It's now week three in my seed starting project and the plantings are coming along very nicely. Almost EVERYTHING has germinated with the exception of a few delphinium (even the giant plume grass has shown it's baby roots). So far so good...I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Luckily the frost-free date is quickly approaching (May 15 for here in Detroit) meaning these babies can be transplanted outside very soon!

Gardening: Weekly Growing Update

Spring brings weekly changes...welcome additions to the reawakening garden. This week the redbud is in full bloom, leaves on my Japanese maple are starting to emerge more fully and chives, clematis, allium, and bleeding hearts are budding out in preparation to bloom. My hostas, catmint, siberian irises and ornamental grasses are starting to gain some more height. And the astilbe I thought had died last year has started to come up, stronger than ever!

Gardening: Weekly Growing Update

It's that time again...my weekly garden growing update. Here is what's popping up &/or blooming in my garden right now.

The lillies are up a few more inches...My lovely lupines survived the winter (and have entertwined with Yucca that I need to transplant yet again).


And the peonies are starting to get nice and tall (they're my personal favorite...I've planted them in multiple spots around my property).

My herb bed is looking kind of messy since it's been overtaken by pussywillow pollen pods...I hate it when those things fall down and clutter up things.

My varigated ground cover has started to bloom (I forget what it's called...if you know, drop me a note).

And I have lots of random tulips (I think the squirrels planted some of these).

Today I Love Mother Nature.

Yep, still loving this card generator ...I think it will become a regular thing for me on this blog.

Gardening: Weekly Growing Update

It appears spring is under way here in metro-Detroit - finally!!! Here are some things that are popping up in my garden this week - can't wait until it's full of color once again.

Rhubarb and Bearded Irises

Can't wait to see those gorgeous, purple Allium blooms

Furry poppy leaves

Stonecrop sedum

And my hyacinths are in full bloom - they smell wonderful!