"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Friday, February 1, 2013

Pretending it's Spring!


Okay, no excuses about why I haven't blogged in 2 months.  ☺ 
The sun has been peeking out today and it reminded me of what it's like here when it's not pouring rain or foggy for weeks on end.  It felt like spring, and it was so nice to soak up a little sun.  It's also perfect weather for working in the garden.  You know it's been a productive time outside when every single thing you were wearing is covered in mud.
My original plan was to clean up the raised beds in our front yard, that never happened.  Instead I moved several shrubs around and have ended up with two that have no homes.  Hopefully one of my friends will want them.  The spaces where some of the shrubs were are now open for new plants later on.  I've decided that this is going to be a year of rearranging the garden.  I'm always moving something, but there are years that I don't do quite as much.  I have several plants that are just in the wrong spot, either too big, or just don't look right.  Can't wait to start digging!
While I was outside I was amazed at how much is already starting to grow.  Snowdrops are up and blooming, Hellebores are very close to blooming, lots of tulip and daffodils are starting to break through.  Bleeding Hearts have brand new growth showing, leaf buds on Flowering Currants are getting much bigger and best of all the Sarcococcas are blooming and making the yard smell delicious!

 A recent visitor to our pond a few days ago.  This Great Blue Heron sat in this tree for about 15 minutes before flying off.  Luckily he didn't get any fish, but he almost hit our window, his wing actually did but he seemed uninjured.

 The little shed garden has lots going on in it.  Can you spot Tina Fey looking for bugs?   She scratched up the garden nice and pretty!

 The shed garden from the other direction.

 I'm so proud of myself for starting to plant more around the pond that is evergreen.  It actually still looks pretty there.

 I can't say just how happy I am that the pine tree is gone.  I don't miss it for a second and every time I untangle the remaining pine needles from plants I think about how this is the last time I'll be doing that.

 The chickens were stretched out all over the deck soaking in the sun.

 More looking for something good to eat.

 Speaking of digging things up, I dug out a Camellia that had been where the Pieris is now.  It had been there for years, only bloomed on the bottom, was yellow and grew horizontally for some reason.  I had the Pieris in a container that it was too big for.  I think it will be perfect here.
 In the front bed I moved out a rose (into the backyard) and a Deutzia that never did anything.  I had a large fuchsia that was too close to the edge of this bed so I moved it to where the others plants had been.  Wish the Hydrangeas looked better than they do in the winter.

 I moved a Spirea that was much too big for this spot, and moved a Weigela (a small variety that I can't remember the name of) into it's place.

 It looks so fresh there now.  While I was digging I dug up several cherry tree sprouts that had gotten pretty big.

This area just needed a change.  I dug up another Spirea that was just getting too big.  There are several plants here that I want to move.

There was a theme to my digging today. They were all shrubs that had gotten too big.  I've learned the lesson over the years that those tags on those tiny little plants at the nursery are correct.  That one gallon plant will get to be 6 feet high and wide, or whatever it says.  
We're supposed to have another nice day tomorrow, and this time I will get those front raised beds cleaned out, hopefully...

All words and photos in this post are property of A Gardener in Progress. Pin It

33 comments:

  1. Your garden is looking so tidy for January. I'm just getting ready to head out with my pruners and deal with some frost damage.

    I remember the first time I saw a Great Blue Heron standing in a redwood tree. It was the oddest sight. They're so big, they always look a little out of place perched on a branch!

    I've gotten better about not planting my shrubs too close to other things in the garden, but I still have room to improve! I have a couple I need to move this weekend, although I've been waiting for more rain. It's been desert dry here for January! Like you though, I can't help but get motivated by all this spring weather!

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  2. Always fun to tour your garden beds. Everything is looking tidy and ready for Spring. We have had a very rainy January. Hope you all enjoy the weekend.

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  3. Dear Catherine ~ How wonderful to see your gardens. I'm always amazed at what you have going on there. I love it all. Seeing that blue heron was a real treat. Your chickens look happy. It sounds like you got a lot done and have plans for more. Enjoy.

    Hugs ~ FlowerLady

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  4. You have a lot of green which I envy this time of year. We are expecting snow tonight but have still not had more than an inch this winter. I have been going easy on blogging this winter and can't seem to identify the season we are in.

    Eileen

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  5. Well you have done a lot in your garden already Catherine. You are getting a head start on all of us. LOL! Your pond does look lovely and I can imagine it is so much nicer without the pine needles to clean up all the time. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  6. You have been busy! How wonderful that you've been able to get out into the garden and get so many much needed moves done! It's true what you say about some of us not really taking into account exactly how big some plants get. They don't stay babies forever. Love the pond area. It's looking fabulous.

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  7. It was so nice out today, wasn't it? Definitely a hint of spring in the air. I got a lot done too. I get bitten by the urge to rearrange things too. I really love your little blue shed. And your chickens are so pretty!

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  8. I am on the other coast in Nova Scotia and am weeping thinking how long it will be before I can start digging in the dirt. Your garden is lovely.

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  9. That is usually how it is, you start out with one project and the garden spirit just gets ya. Way to go! good luck tomorrow. It is supposed to be nice in the morning, so I'm planning on getting out early. ;)

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  10. Hi Catherine, wow you got quite a bit done. I can't believe how many shrubs you dug up and moved in just one day! Your garden looks lovely already. Can't wait to see how it is moving along as the temperatures warm up and the sun is coming out a little bit more reliable!
    Christina

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  11. You were really ambitious today! Treat yourself to a nice, long soak!!

    I'm looking forward to working out in the yard tomorrow!

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  12. I have a year of rearranging ahead of me, some of it is the rearranging I didnt get done last year due to the never ending rain. Its just a case of deciding where to start and ploughing in. I bet you were really pleased with yourself

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  13. Glad you had a break in the grim wether to get out and to blog...your garden is showing so many wonderful spaces ready to sprout soon...I too have moved so much and plant to move more as I tend to ignore those tags too.

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  14. It's always so fun to see what you've got going in your lovely garden! The place we are living has a little garden shed too, but it's just junk on the inside...I should fix it up like I did the outside! Oh, and I love your Toms!

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  15. How I wish I could be outside like you. I have months before that can happen, but your garden is starting to look great. Hope you are having a wonderful gardening weekend:) Jen

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  16. Hi Catherine, I was in such awe of your pic from the back, showing the sunlight coming in where it had been blocked before by the pine tree. Wow, what a difference. So glad you enjoyed a day of winter sunshine. Spring is coming! Cheers, Jenni

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  17. You got loads done - I hope you are not feeling it today. I spent a whole day in the garden during the week and next day I felt like I had been run over with a 10 tonne truck! It's amazing how our quickly bodies soon get used to not working bent over at strange angles all day long!
    You'll be pleased you managed to get all that done once summer is here!
    Oh, that lesson you are talking about, re shrub size - I've not learnt that one yet - in an other few years, I've no doubt I'll be doing the same thing!

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  18. Yes, those little guys grow. And grow fast in our mild climate. I am always pruning things. I have a lot of plants that need to be moved too. Last year I moved hardly anything so this year I'll be making up for it. It's hard work but so worth it in the end. Your chickens look so healthy and happy. Your garden looks amazing even at this time of year. I like the evergreens around your pond. I do that too. I also like the stacked rocks by your Pieris. I think we're due for a long stretch of pleasant weather, don't you? :)

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  19. I wish it was pretending to be Spring in Ireland. We're getting snow, sleet and hail stones. However the Spring bulbs are coming up nicely. All the best.

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  20. You are so lucky to have spring arrive so early. Beautiful garden beds, pond, and chickens.

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  21. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one to take a few months off this winter. We've been enjoying some sun the past week as well - my goodness, the grey skies get old by this time of year, don't they?! Enjoy your spring bulbs and other flowers!

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  22. Hi there! Glad to see you are having such productive days! Our snow is melting this week so we are still mostly just looking outside from inside! I know the feeling of having shrubs in the wrong spot because they get too big. I have some like that too and others that I would like to get rid of but always feel a little guilty doing. Anyway, keep it up, your productive words and good-looking photos are motivating!!!

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  23. You are really busy now. Your garden is ongoing process. This may looked beautiful in spring. Best of luck. PlantWerkz

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  24. I moved to the coast in November and experienced the wearisome grey for the first time. I was beginning to wonder if I could handle it. Now things are growing and I've perked up considerably. My old garden would be frozen for another couple of months so I'm actually dizzy with delight.

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  25. Wonderful to be outside digging in the dirt isn't it? I was out yesterday weeding my beds and vegetable garden and it felt so good.

    Your yard looks great.

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  26. I totally enjoyed being out in my garden weeding, getting ready for planting and understand your need to be out there as well transplanting and enjoying the sun. I was so excited to see all the new growth in my garden as well! Spring is coming.

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  27. You have been busy moving all those shrubs! That is hard work, those root systems can be huge. I really love all the blue accents in the garden that match the house...am a blue color lover.

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  28. I love your chickens! I used to have several as pets when I was a kid, named Samantha, Tabatha, Esmerelda and of course Henrietta. The first two I had turned out to be rosters, and when I got an older hen they were so excited that they mated with her so much she died - no kidding. It was very sad but a strange way to die, and what was even stranger than in my 9yo wisdom I named the older hen Yvonne after my grandmother - the connection being because she was old too! When Yvonne passed away (the chicken, not my grandmother) my gran asked me to never name a pet after her again, as she didn't want to go that way~!

    http://adam-myparadise.blogspot.com.au/

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  29. Glad to see you're still alive and kicking! :-)
    Your chickens look so pretty. I always like looking at your blog, we get your weather later, so I can see what's to come.

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  30. I'm always amazed at how much work you get done in your winter garden. Not me! I can't bear working out in the wet and cold of winter. I need a spring day when the sun shines before I even think about going out there. It's usually the time to cut down the butterfly bush and ornamental grasses, and to trim the roses by then.

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  31. Among the four seasons spring is my favorite and as of now it is fast approaching. The chickens could be a big help to cultivate the soil since they always look for food.

    Broomfield Hardscape

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  32. Sigh, instead of digging it looks like I'll be shoveling. You have been busy! I ache for you. I can't wait to dig. Love those chickens! Have missed visiting.

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  33. The pond does still look pretty- agreed!! Love the photo of the chicken sitting in the sun. Cute. Spring is near! Can't wait!!!! You got a lot done and it looks great!!!

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