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

Monday, March 4, 2013

Almost there...

For the last couple of days the sun has been out and you can just feel spring in the air.  I swear you can practically see things growing now.  I've been spending what free time I have out enjoying the yard, still getting it cleaned up, moving plants, starting some seeds. 

 I cleaned up some of the pond and cleaned out the filter a couple of days ago.  The fish have been swimming around and the pond plants have new growth.

 Now that we are getting close to our first spring without the huge pine tree I'm starting to get an idea of just how sunny it's going to be on the deck.  I can finally have a big pot of herbs growing on it, lots of flowers and best of all no sap or pine needles on any of them.  I'm pretty sure we'll have to invest in an umbrella too.

 You can really see the difference between the sun and shade here, but I know as the sun gets higher during the spring and summer that fence bed will get lots of sun too.  I've got chicken wire protecting newly emerging plants from the chickens who have a taste for fresh green leaves.

 Lots of bulbs popping up and the Flowering Currants are getting close to blooming.  The further away one may not do much this year since I had to move it during the tree removal.

 I planted this awesome Hellebore last winter.  It's from the Winter Jewels collection 'Cherry Blossom'.  It's become my new favorite.

 We've almost had our chickens a whole year, but this will be the first spring with them outside.  They definitely like to eat plants so I'm going to make sure I'm around to supervise what they are getting into.

 Hellebore 'Mardi Gras'

 Not the best picture, but I found this cute little rusty metal Nuthatch at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show.  The show was probably my favorite one yet.  I didn't get a lot of pictures this year, but many blogs had great photos from it.

 I finally got pvc hoops up on the front raised beds.  We got this one planted this weekend and am crossing my fingers this gives us more veggies than we had last year.  The plastic will be held down with clips, just waiting for them to get here,  for now rocks are doing the trick.

 It looks so bare right now, but I've sprinkled lots of seeds around the fence and more will get planted when it warms up more.  At the top of the trellis is a little visitor.  Can you see her here?

 This cute little angel was bought at the garden show too.

 I would have to say Hellebores have been one of my best "investments".  No, they aren't too cheap, but they really are worth the money.  This one has lots of little babies around it that I can dig up and share.

 I love this combination in one of my wine barrel planters.  The Euphorbia will be blooming before too long.

I'm trying to be patient to start tomatoes and other vegetable and flower seeds this year.  I think I've been starting them way too early and then I get impatient having them in the house taking up space, and then plant them outside too early.  This year I'm waiting until the beginning of April (if I can hold out that long, it may be the end of March).

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

19 comments:

  1. Your garden is screaming spring. It is all looking so nice. As always love your pond and the path. What a difference without the pine tree. You have the cutest ornaments. The little fairy is really a surprise on the trellis. I hope your veggies get started well for you. Chickens are quick and surprisingly nimble. Watch that they don't find a way behind something and sneak into your plantings. So good to see you gardening. Here's to a great season.

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  2. I love the sun now with the tree gone. Your purchases from the garden show are so cute. We had Hellebores at the last house and they are a favorite of mine, also. I know you are enjoying the changes in the garden! Hope you all are doing well.

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  3. Hi Catherine, how nice to see your garden coming back to life this year! I absolutely love your hellebores, especially 'Cherry Blossom'. What a beauty! I am sure you will enjoy all the sun that you are getting now on you deck, but buying a sun umbrella sounds like a good idea. Looking forward to follow the development of your garden as we are moving into spring! Have a good start into the week!
    Christina

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  4. Hi dear,

    I was JUST writing about you, Sweet Pea, and The Littlest Gardener. Love seeing all of spring in your new, sunny backyard. Hurrah. Yes, you need an umbrella!

    Sending love across the miles,

    Sharon

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  5. Wow Catherine! Everything is looking so good at the start of your spring. Hope the sly chickens will stay out of your goodies. What a difference without that huge pine tree, an umbrella or an awning is definitely something to consider. I'm looking forward to seeing your gardens' reawakening.

    Happy Gardening ~ FlowerLady

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  6. The last few days have been so glorious! I love Hellebores too, but I've never seen babies, at least I don't think I have. I might have pulled them thinking they were weeds. I love your little fairy/angel, and the rusty nuthatch is adorable too. I use wood clamps on my hoophouse, you can buy them at Lowes, just in case you need some help if it gets windy before your clips arrive. You are going to have so much lovely sun with that tree gone, and I bet you will love cooking with all kinds of fresh herbs.

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  7. Great post. Spring is in the air. I love ponds!

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  8. I love the Hellebores- there are so many different ones and all so pretty. Everything looks ready to have spring roll in!!

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  9. The flowering period of Hellebores is surprisingly long and with the beautiful glossy foliage for the rest of the year, I am becoming increasingly convinced that they represent value for money. Well done for controlling the urge to sow tomato seeds - it's so difficult when the internet is so full of photos of other people's seedlings!

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  10. Stunning hellebore. Love your new favorite. I will have to be sure to add them to my list of must haves. I am so eager to get my spring seeds in the ground but I'm trying to wait a couple of weeks. I still have lots of spaces to be filled this year. It looks like the morning sun on the patio. Maybe it won't be too bad this summer.

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  11. You will enjoy having some herbs on the deck in the sun. I recommend planting winter savory...hardy subshrub.....great with vegetables and meat dishes. LOVE IT!!
    Your little fairy is cute on the arbor.

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  13. Oops! I misspelled a lot of words... So I have re-posted. I'm trying to read and catch up on a few post late at night after work...

    I love the deck... I can see you reading a garden book, taking in the lovely views of your garden, or just relaxing... I also like the little angle and nuthatch you found as well. Wonderful post

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  14. Oh, how refreshing! You really are going to have lots of sun now - how nice. I would love to be sitting on your deck right now with my tea. I envy that cute little nuthatch and the birdhouse! Your hellebore collection is wonderful, too. I have two small plants and really hope they begin to take off. Now I just can't wait for Spring!

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    1. Kathy I tried to comment on your post, but wordpress seemed to be having an issue connecting. Hope all that snow is gone soon!

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  15. I'm drooling over your hellebores! They're so beautiful. 'Cherry Blossom' reminds me of a Clematis. I can see a table and umbrella on your deck. It's going to be so nice having all that sunlight. Lots of rain here but it's supposed to be sunny this weekend.

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    1. We've seen some glimpses of the sun lately over on this side of the state and it definitely gives hope of spring coming! Your Cherry Blossom hellebore is beautiful - those winter jewels vary a bit from plant to plant and you definitely got a winter. I discovered some hellebore seedlings in my yard for the first time this spring - woo hoo!

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  16. The garden is spruced up and ready for spring...blooms starting...we have a foot of snow still on the ground so we have nit even begun...

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  17. Just catching up on this post! The hoops look great, glad they worked out for you! :)

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