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

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Mid -March and the signs of spring keep on coming.

We've enjoyed the few sunny days we've had, as well as the ones that are at least dry enough to go out to the garden and do a few little jobs here and there.  Plants seem to be sprouting everywhere.  As usual in spring there are some "missing" plants.  I'm always disappointed when plants I really like don't return.  I'm not sure what I could really blame them not coming back on.  It wasn't really that cold, the rain seemed about normal and we only had one day of snow.  But the upside is room for new plants!

The little Violas that I planted in fall are all sending up lots of flowers now.

Last weekend we had a couple of nice sunny days and the chickens loved laying out in it.

We put "cages" around the blueberry bushes.  For years they weren't noticed by birds, but over the last couple years the Robins have found them as well as our chickens.  Further down we planted some raspberries and put some supports in for them.

Marsh Marigold is blooming.

The white Bleeding Heart is always ahead of the pink ones.

Hopefully these girls are finding lots of slugs to eat!

Pink Flowering Currant is so close to blooming!  The hummingbirds are crazy for them.

I just found Sugar Snap Peas popping through today.  They weren't there yesterday.  No sign of the Sweet Peas yet though.

Inside the row cover there is lots and lots of brand new sprouts.

In another month or so the shed garden will be loaded with flowers.

One of the few daffodils to come back.  The Tete-a-tetes seem to do the best in my yard.

I've started seeing a pair of Wrens working on a nest in a birdhouse in our backyard, honey bees were out this weekend and the Towhee that is here every spring splashing away daily in the birdbath is back.  I've found a few new plants to put in the garden.  I love this time of year.
All words and photos in this post are property of A Gardener in Progress. Pin It

27 comments:

  1. I love this time of year too! I am bummed that some of my plants that are supposed to be hardy haven't shown up yet too. Although sometimes they are just late-comers, naturally inclined to come up when it gets just a bit warmer. Your chickens remind me of my two cats, who tend to follow the spots of sun around the house on sunny days. I'm so happy to see you have sprouts under your cover!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is my favorite time of year too Catherine. Exciting to actually see the seeds sprouting. It makes me excited because I must have done something right. I will be direct sowing my flower seeds. Waiting on a plant order. I just received and planted this past weekend dahlias. I ordered from My Garden Colors. My plants and seeds came from Harvest Garden Supply. I'm loving both of these new sites for plants. Can't wait to see your pond all decked out in blooms. Glad to be back into the blogs.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I get so envious when I see your garden sprouting each year, but I know that we are on the list somewhere down the line. Our late winter is much colder than last year, so maybe we will have a normal spring.

    Eileen

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love seeing your garden coming to life after it's winter sleep. It is always sad to lose plants, but like you said, the up side is getting to have new plants.

    Happy gardening dear Catherine ~ FlowerLady

    ReplyDelete
  5. We did seem to have a very mild winter, but a few of mine decided not to remain with us for the next year. It is always exciting seeing all of the new growth and the early bloomers only make you ready for summer. our birds are starting to return, but since a lot of starlings are joining the mob there are ups and downs to everything. As it is spring though, lets enjoy the ups!

    ReplyDelete
  6. My daffodils have been wildly disappointing this year. However, like you, our Tete-a-Tetes seem to be doing the best. They've actually multiplied since last season. Not sure if our total lack of rain at the start of year set back the others, but those little daffs seem to be made of tougher stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love your spring photos. Here in NH we're still in the processing of waiting for the snow to melt.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh just look at your garden already. I just love your planter of Violas Catherine. So beautiful. I am so ready for spring as always. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow you are so far ahead of us as we are still getting snow daily. Your spring is so lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Spring is springing in your garden!! Cute pics of the chickens!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Catherine, I always love looking at your garden photos in spring because it provides "previews of coming attractions" for some of the plants in my own garden. Happy spring! -Jean

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Catherine, I love your shed garden. It's perfect right now. That lush Daphne, with the Hellebores and crocus blooming away! Perfection! I'll be excited to see what new plants you add to your gardens! Happy GBBD! Cheers, Jenni

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yeah for spring! I can't wait to check back on your garden this year.
    I live in a apartment in my new state/home, so until I have a home to garden in I look forward to catching up on what's happening in your garden. Love the garden shed...can't wait to see all the flowers bloom.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am desperate for some warmer weather but there are signs things are beginning to appear. The trouble is we have had so much rain the garden is sodden but hopefully only a little while longer and I will be out gardening

    ReplyDelete
  15. You are way ahead of us here in Scotland - just look at the height of the Dicentra already! Your little trough of violas look really healthy!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Very nice. It's so nice to have spring right around the corner.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Looks great....its been so rainy and windy here I was giving up on spring...your violas look great!!! Ive decided on some perennials that wont be here for awhile...but I did wool up my pots and get them ready!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love this time of year too, Catherine. It's been so nice weather-wise. It's cool to go out and see our plants coming back to life. Your hens look so happy and look at the clemmy foliage jutting up behind them! I love those pansies on your gate too. It's definitely spring!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your photos are always so beautiful! I'm inspired, as here in Alaska my yard still has a 5 foot blanket of snow. I wonder if my plants are as anxious for the thaw as I am?

    ReplyDelete
  20. We have had a tough AND LONG winter in my area...actually more of a return to winters past. You are a good month ahead of my garden now but the pictures bring a smile nonetheless as I anticipate the arrival of the dicentra.
    When a plant doesn't return, it is a reminder that nothing in life is indefinite; there is a life span. BUT, gardeners are optimists and forward looking; the best garden is always the one that is yet to come!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Definitely, spring is just a couple of blocks away. I just love spring for the mere fact that this season is often associated with rebirth, renewal and regrowth.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your spring has definitely sprung! We are still waiting for it here in icy cold, London, although lots of plants are finally starting to appear now. Your viola display looks wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  23. We have a huge bird feeder out back and several bird baths. I have been seeing all sorts of birds. Today we had indigo blue buntings. I took pics out of the window so they arent the best. We also put up 6 hummingbird feeders so that should be fun

    ReplyDelete
  24. The white fence and viola basket is really lovely, as is the blue shed; great colour. Very pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love the spring gardens! I just had a Towhee visit my garden for the first time. Very exciting! I have not seen or heard the wrens yet, however. That flowering currant promises to be gorgeous! The hummingbirds haven't arrived in my garden yet - they are much later this year.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Lovely garden... please post more pictures as I am sure it is all grown since April! I started growing mealworms for the birds and my chicken, they love them.

    thanks for sharing,
    Michael
    My Japanese Iris Pictures

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave a comment. I try my very best to answer any questions you may have, but usually don't have time to respond to each comment. Please leave a link to your blog so I can visit you in return.