I hate wasting sunny days this time of year, but I had a day of mostly errands so I didn't have much time to play in the dirt. One of my stops was the grocery store, and a few things made their way into the cart. I think I was giving myself an excuse to get outside when we were finished.
I thought it would be fun to try onions as well, so I bought a bag of Red Wethersfield onion sets. My helper and I planted some in our freshly cleaned raised beds. There are 80 in a bag, so I plan to share a lot of sets we didn't use.
During her nap time I thought I would get the violas planted. I did some very minor cleanup to the bed that they went in. They are planted near the Japanese maple by our front door. This is a beautiful variety, acer palmatum 'Orido Nishiki'. I tried to get a good picture of the newer branches, it's difficult to see the deep red color. The leaves will be a variegated cream and green with a hint of pink, very pretty.
While I was out I saw that the tete-a-tete daffodils and anemone blandas that I found several days ago had finished opening. They are a bit dirty from the heavy rain we had a couple of days ago.
The lighting makes the anemone look lighter than it is, it's actually a little darker than this picture shows.
This morning looks wet and rainy with the promise of the temperatures heading back down into the 40's this week. I guess that means I need to get the house back in order. It seems to slip away on the days the I spend outside. I'd rather dig holes and weed than do laundry or cook any day of the week!
So nice to see some colourful garden plants right now .. we are still frozen in here in the Great White North : )
ReplyDeleteLove the violas .. such pretty colours !
Delightful, Catherine. Sounds like you had a nice time outside--a little reward for being a "good girl" and doing your chores first! :) The Japanese maple sounds beautiful. I don't think I've seen one with variegated leaves. Can't wait for future photos of that.
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ReplyDeleteDelightful, Catherine. Sounds like you had a nice time outside--a little reward for being a "good girl" and doing your chores first! :) The Japanese maple sounds beautiful. I don't think I've seen one with variegated leaves. Can't wait for future photos of that.
ReplyDeleteIn Spring, once you get a feel for the outdoors again, it's awfully hard to stay in and do housework! I look forward to pictures of your Japanese Maple with leaves. Sounds so pretty!
ReplyDeleteMy kind of gardener-fuhgetabout the housework for sure. Gotta take advantage of the sun. I am looking forward to hearing more about your J. maple. Sounds very beautiful. I love them all.
ReplyDeleteHousework - blaah. The garden called me all weekend - and I answered! My house is a tip, but the garden looks good - so I'm sure I've got my priorities right!
ReplyDeleteI love the photos by the way.
Wonderful photos! I am off to the local nursery to see if our onion bulbs are in. I had wonderful luck with them last year. Thank you for sharing your spring. I can't wait to get digging outside. We still have a couple of months.
ReplyDeleteHappy Bloom Tuesday!
Love Tete-a-tete daffodils.
ReplyDeleteLucy
GardenJoy4me - I love the violas too, I'm always drawn to the purple. Hope you thaw out soon.
ReplyDeleteDonna - Gardening is like a reward, I enjoy it even more if I know the house is clean.
Mildred - I always wish I could have a housekeeper for the spring and summer! It eventually does get done though.
Tina - As you can tell, I'm not doing the housework because I'm distracted by the garden blogs. I better get back to work :)
Nutty Gnome - Yes, you do have you priorities right. The housework will be there, but the sun isn't always out :)
Bren - I've never tried onions. Every year we like to try a new vege or two. I'm glad to hear you've had good luck with them and I hope you found some today.
Lucy - Aren't they sweet?
I would like to get and about too but there isn't anything at the nurseries yet. So I enjoyed your trip for the both of us. Love the yellow and blue posted today.
ReplyDeleteGreat buys, love seeing your blooms. Gee, hope it starts warming up soon.
ReplyDeleteYay, more plants! I still have no daffodil bulbs, the little buggers. And did I tell you that I think I dug up anemone I planted last fall because I thought it was a weed. Tucked it back in and have my fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine, I love your new purchases. There cannot be too many violas in a garden, of any color. The little anemone is so sweet, I love the blue ones. Must remember to plant more this fall. Most gardeners would agree, digging holes is way better than housework! :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Anna - I guess you probably still have snow anyway? I hope you get to go plant shopping soon! I love blue and yellow together.
ReplyDeleteDarla -The sun is trying to sneak back out. I may have to check on my flowers today :)
Melanthia - Do you think the squirrels got your daffodils? These little guys I planted last year and kind of forgot they were there. I know I've weeded plants before too and realized what I'd done once I took a second look. These bulbs are pretty tough, I hope they come back for you.
Frances - The sun is making a return, but I'm forcing myself to finish my inside work, although blogs aren't really part of it. :)
What beautiful little violas!! Won't they make a cute splash of color... will there be any daffodils nearby? :-) You see, once Spring arrives I won't want to Ever stay indoors!
ReplyDeleteThose are gorgeous pics.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
I just love blue! Especially in the sky! Beautiful, spring weather we're having here- I love it!
ReplyDeleteLovely colors, such pretty blues and purples.
ReplyDeleteShady Gardener - I did put some daffodils nearby!
ReplyDeleteDebbie - Thanks, I've been practicing my photography a lot the past couple on months.
Tessa - We ended up having blue skies too and sun. We went out and did a little planting even :)
notsocrafty - Thanks! :)
I can almost smell the sweet fragrance of your violas. I have always had a fondness for the smaller "pansies." Many have reseeded and it becomes a race with the slugs. I'm sure enjoying these sun breaks.
ReplyDeleteI always find onion sets so much easier than seeds!
ReplyDeleteGrace - The slugs have already begun there work here on the daffodils and primroses :(
ReplyDeleteMatron - Thanks, I've never tried either, and the sets seemed like they would be easier.
I'd rather be outside working in the dirt than cleaning it out of my house too Catherine!
ReplyDeleteViolas! How lucky you are to be planting. I love your raised beds (3/1 posting). What are their dimensions and what kind of wood did you use? Did you use an outdoor stain or paint? They're wonderful. I have two raised beds that I love but would like to add more. Great blog you have!
ReplyDeleteAnn
Susie - Me too!
ReplyDeleteAnn - We've had some nice sunny days here. Our winter was colder and snowier than usual this year. I couldn't resist those little violas.
The raised beds are about 3 x 3 feet and about 3 feet high (I'm guesstinmating), the larger one is 3 X 12 feet. If I remember correctly my husband used cedar for them, but I told him to make sure it was untreated since we'd be eating the food that grew there. We used an outdoor stain, mostly to help waterproof the wood. I love working in raised beds and these have a wide enough edge that make them comfortable to sit on as well. Thanks so much for visiting!