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

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Impatiently waiting...

I would never say that patience is my best quality, in fact it's something I wish I had more of.  I know I can't hurry spring along, that the winter season has it's purpose, but am I ever having a hard time trying to be patient.  I always take full advantage of dry and or sunny days during the winter and head out to the garden if I have free time on those days.  I can always find something to do out there, and enjoy getting my "therapy" while I'm working.  On the days that it's not so nice I look at seed catalogs, online nurseries and look out the window thinking about changes I'd like to make.  Over the past few weeks I've ordered some seeds, placed a small plant order from an online nursery and ordered a couple of roses online as well.  I don't go crazy on these orders because one, I have a budget and two I like to be able to do plant shopping later in the year at nurseries too.  I also have a fairly small yard and there's only so much space.  Just like I recently cleaned out closets, getting rid of unused toys, clothes and other things that just take up prized space in our small home, I'm doing the same thing outside. 

Here are a few things I've been working on to help pass the winter:

The pond is probably the best looking part of the yard, front or back, right now.  But the ground has settled quite a bit on the right side and I decided this would be a good time to build up a small bed along the side.  You can see the back side of the edgers here, I still need to add quite a bit of soil.  Then those poor Primroses might actually get planted.  To the right of the Heuchera above I was finally able to get a very stubborn plant out that had seeded itself there a few years ago.  I think I will add another Geranium 'Rozanne' there.

Next to that new bed area, I pulled out some very woody and overgrown Heucheras.  These had been here many years and were long past looking good.  Now I have made room for all sorts of new plants!

I cut back all the Hellebores in this corner and under the Sword fern I found a nice big rock that had been completely covered.  Yes, that's a gnome in my garden and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Another thing I did was to hang this owl bell, it cost all of $5!  I wish we'd see some real owls here.

I also scour the yard on a regular basis looking for signs of spring.  In this entry bed there is lots of Muscari foliage, and tulips and crocus are just poking through.

As I walked toward the back gate I spotted the tiniest sign of life, a teensy Snowdrop!  I planted these the fall before last and barely had any come up so seeing this one tiny guy made me especially happy.

I will keep trying to be patient, but it's hard!
All words and photos in this post are property of A Gardener in Progress. Pin It

30 comments:

  1. I am so in love with your entire garden - Winter and Spring and everything in between. It is lovely! The pond looks incredible.

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  2. It is so hard to be patient! We're so lucky that we live where we can see the ground and all the little plants coming back. They just make me so excited! I love your owl bell, and I'm wondering what you bought online...

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  3. Like you, I have daily been going out to my yard and checking the growth. I will be posting pictures tomorrow on the wonderful things unfolding. Your post is amazing. Thank you for the encouraging comments and photos -- encouraging in the sense that I am ready to look for more.

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  4. "All Nature seems at work. Slugs leave their lair
    The bees are stirring, birds are on the wing,
    And Winter slumbering in the open air,
    Wears on his smiling face a dream of spring."
    - Samuel Taylor Coleridge

    springs a comin'. don't give up!

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  5. I always love to come over here and see what you are doing in your garden. After growing things in a dry hot climate, I am so worried that I won't be able to get adjusted to the PNW gardening climate. BTW is it possible to grow hydrangeas in a container?

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  6. Hi,

    I know how you feel! I'm itching to get out and then when I finally get the chance; the temperatures have gone down and I just don't want to try working in the garden when it's near freezing.

    I hope things speed up for you soon; I'm sure the next thing we'll be saying is how fast time is going :D

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  7. The pond is looking good. It is hard to be impatient but spring is near.

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  8. I have the same problem with Heucheras, they go woody after a few years, so I cut the top off and pot it up. That way I get several new plants which grow very quickly. Do love your garden. Those mushroom bells are great, been after some of them myself.

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  9. Snowdrops, lucky gal. Maybe in a few weeks I may see some signs :)

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  10. Winter is a great time to make changes and you are making some really nice ones. Your bell is so cute for $5. And I like your resident gnome, great little garden helper. I have been seeing the weeds grow her with our crazy weather, so spring weather must be around the corner.

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  11. Spring always seems to come slowly and poof its gone to a hot summer, at least here. I have lots of Muscari up, first time I have had it in my garden, didn't know it put foliage up in the fall. Sure made mulching a challenge. This year will have to remember to mulch well after the foliage dies back and before the new emerges.
    Wish I had some Heucheras that were large and spreading! Mine are struggling....know it is the dry area they are in.
    Good luck on seeing an owl, when you do it is exciting!

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  12. Becca - Yes, you can grow Hydrangeas in containers. I have one 'Pia' that stays small in one. My mom grows them in containers too and they are full of flowers. I think as long as you get a variety that doesn't get really big they do great.

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  13. Your gardens look so much better in winter, mine are a bit jealous! I laugh because I am quite alright with my messy gardens but yours still look fantastic even if it's winter.
    I've noticed the bulbs are starting to come up and I can see the flower buds, that happened as soon as the snow melted! WHAT!!!
    Love the owl, its fun to find neat things for our gardens that are inexpensive.

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  14. I know the feeling of impatience! I just did my plant/seed shop for Spring too, and can't wait to get outside and started. Look for seed swap sites to get the most out of your budget. An easy way to get more value out of seed packets that you only used a few from. :)

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  15. It is amazing how we can rearrange a garden to make room for new plants. LOL! Your pond always looks so pretty in any season. The owl bell is so cute! I bet you are anxious for the garden show to start Take lots of pictures for us.

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  16. Hello,
    I am just like you I have no patience during this time of the year. I can't tell you the feeling that I have when I see my plants are slowly wake up from there wintersleep.
    Have a nice evening
    Marijke

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  17. Hi! I understand your impatience and have been out looking in my garden too. The thing is I KNOW I have a lot longer to wait since I'm in zone 6! It doesn't seem to matter though as I go out every few days to scope it out. I'm also impatiently waiting for my trip to the flower and garden show. Are you going? Maybe we'll be in the same seminar. :) Can't wait to visit lovely Seattle!

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  18. Andrea - Yes I am going, I can't wait! It would be really fun to meet. I think there will be lots of bloggers there this year.

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  19. Hooray! The garden is ever so slowly waking up. I picked a handful of Sarcococca the other day. Every year in January I'm so glad I have it.

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  20. You really do have spring in your garden! I am patiently waiting for the first signs around here.

    Eileen

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  21. I have been having the same feelings. I am also in the PNW. I think the weather was a little teaser of spring today! I enjoy reading your blog. I am a new reader and looking forward to more!

    www.breezysimply.blogspot.com

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  22. Oh, your pond looks beautiful right now! It's a great time for projects like cleaning out old beds / plants and starting adding new things - glad you are keeping busy in the garden.

    Love, love, love that owl bell - what a find! I'm a fan of your garden gnome too - display him proudly!

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  23. You sound like me impatiently waiting. I look for signs of spring and find a few and then the snow falls and we are covered again with 2 feet of snow and the few snowdrops and gone. So I wait as I start seeds for spring.

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  24. How exciting to see signs of spring in your garden. Your pond always looks so lovely, and that darling little snowdrop is perfect!

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  25. Patience is the worst in these gray winter months! You've picked the best time of year to remove some of the older plants. It will be fun to see what you choose to fill in with :) Cheers, Jenni

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  26. Great winter projects you've got going there. I'm afraid I'm not as ambitious.

    I know it's too early to be wishing for spring....but patience isn't MY virtue either.

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  27. Today the sun is shining & it just feels so good!! I'm going to head out to check on 'spring things' - I know there is a yellow crocus about to bloom, I just have to find it!

    I no longer follow the calendar when it comes to seasons. February 1st is the first day of spring for me. I try to restrain myself when it comes to playing in the gardens, but with all the seed orders arriving & Seedy Saturday events happening, how can we not call it spring??!!

    Anything to keep the winter months short. I'm so glad I live along the coast where I'm not buried in snow!

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  28. I'm impatient too, but I don't go work in the garden in winter time. I just can't stand the cold!

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  29. I understand the feeling. It's supposed to be warmer for the next couple of weeks. Enjoy your time outside. The NW Flower and Garden Show starts next week!

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