Pussy Willow
I need to write down what I have done in my garden in February. Otherwise, I won't believe later that I was able to do these garden chores which I usually do in March and April.
- General garden cleaning. Removing perennials and grass remnants left untouched in fall for winter interest.
- Gathering dry leaves left for plants' protection. The winter was so warm, they were not actually needed. The leaves go to the compost pile or get mixed with the old soil in the garden.- Pruning berry bushes - raspberries, gooseberries, black carrants.
-Trimming hedges.
- Weeding and removing patches of grass for turning those areas into places for perennial planting.
- Unloading a composter and spreading compost under the plants.
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- Digging up old strawberry plants.-Clearing the back of the garden from blackberries and salal.
- Planting some perennials and grasses that were bought in containers last fall.
- Adding horse/chicken aged compost to vegetable beds.
- Winter sowing.
- Picking up zillions of pine cones and mess left by squirrels.
- Digging out crocosmia bulbs that took more time than any other job.
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The following are the February blooms, some of them started to bloom in January (primrose, viola) and even in December (Hellebore):
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The following are the February blooms, some of them started to bloom in January (primrose, viola) and even in December (Hellebore):
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A Hellebore got some brown spots, but still blooms profusely:
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Self-seeded Violet (Viola) has long-lasting blooms:
Primulas (Primroses) are happy. I didn't forget to put slug baits around them, so nobody chews on their leaves:
Vinca minor (Creeping Myrtle, Periwinkle, Vinca) shows several blooms. Next year, I need to cut it low and clean since it's getting too tall and leggy.
Daffodils ( Narcissus ) are blooming earlier this year:
Oh my goodness, Tatyana, it certainly looks like spring has arrived in your garden! You have been one busy lady as well. I'm afraid my garden was covered with deep snow all February, and now, though the snow is beginning to melt, it's a sodden mess. Nothing much will get accomplished here for awhile. Your daffodils and hellebores are making me hope that spring will arrive soon!
ReplyDeleteTatyana, Sighing at the spring loveliness and being able to get out and work the soil...It is still partially frozen ground here. So unusual, too. Love the self seeded violet, what a lovely color. Happy March~gail
ReplyDeleteNice post! I love your blue bench! You've been very busy, and I like the idea of "logging" your activity!
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a chore list!! Looks springish around your gardens..
ReplyDeleteYou've been busy. The weather that we've had here has meant that I'm later getting started with all my gardening chores this year. You've also got alot of colour in your garden, whereas mine is looking very drab at the moment.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky you are to be playing in the garden in February. I'm buried under heaps of snow - which makes it all the more fun to see your spring garden. Love the primrose most of all. :)
ReplyDeleteDear Tatyana, You cannot have been out of your garden for weeks to have achieved all of that. It makes me feel quite exhausted and a little bit guilty for my idleness.
ReplyDeleteAlready you have so much beginning to flower that your garden must be looking very pretty. Like Kimberly, I love the blue you have chosen for your bench.
Yes, spring has come to your garden, Tatyana! How wonderful to be able to get those jobs done early, the better to enjoy the flowers! :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
isn't it amazing how a little spring can energize us? your spring came early???? maybe there is hope for us!!!
ReplyDeleteI am jealous!! I would love to plant my garden, but we had just received 20 inches of snow last week!! Well, at least the calendar says "March" now- we are all getting closer
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have been busy. You already have pretty colors in your garden. I was looking at your past post of the cherry trees...wow! They are beautiful and everything is so lush and green.
ReplyDeleteTatyana, your flower photography is stunning! I have to say I love them all, but the daffodil photo is especially nice! I think Washington is more floriferous than Central Florida right now! Is this a normal spring for you? I have to wait until Friday to work in my own garden, as we have two more cold days this week, and I will not tempt fate. Such a long winter for us this year!
ReplyDeleteWhee, I am worn clear out LOL! You have done so much girl! Enjoying the weather and being out in the garden I cannot blame you. I cannot wait either. Primroses have to be the most cheery flower. Love the bright colors. I like Myrtle too because it is evergreen and blooms so early but Creeping Myrtle is the hardest thing to get rid of when you decide to change out a bed. Ugh! I am still digging and jerking it out of one bed. The roots are endless. I hope friend yours is in a spot where you will leave it forever. LOL!
ReplyDeleteWow - you are off to a great start there. Your primroses are to die for. The hellibore is beautiful too. Great photos too.
ReplyDeleteAnd to think that what I usually do in march, will probably be done in april/may this year, due to the very cold and snowy winter...
ReplyDeleteWhat different winters we have this year.
But I'm enjoying your gardenchores at the moment instead:-)
Greetings from Stockholm SWEDEN, Hillevissan
How wonderful to be able to accomplish so much earlier in the season. Your photo of the pussy willow reminds me of the beautiful pussy willow tree we had at our home when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting tired just reading it all. That is gardening though and boy oh boy does it ever pay us back come this summer. You have such a lovely garden and I'm thinking it is due to your diligence in caring for it so well.
ReplyDeleteWow..these are THIS year's already???
ReplyDeleteI loved the primrose and the pussy willow shots..just lovely!
Hello! I found your blog through comments you left on another's blog. What a lovely garden you have. Spring is always a busy time in the garden, and it seems to have come early for you this year.
ReplyDeleteYou've been busy. True about those perennials probably not needing the extra leaf mulch. Almost everything that was a tender perennial easily survived this winter (so far). Always great to remove grass to make room for more fun things to watch grow.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe all the flowers on your Primroses!
Such a lovely colourful flowers in your garden. It is certainly a welcoming spring in your place.
ReplyDeleteYou are so very lucky Tatyana, to have such an early spring. Can you send some spring our way? We can't even get the snow to melt! But it's March now, so I think I can make it!
ReplyDeleteLucky me, my hubbie has been busy doing some garden clean up. It's been so warm here I'm getting itchy to start on some myself.
ReplyDeleteIt looks a lot of job Tatyana, you will loose lots of calories doing those! Imagine doing all those if you are in this hot and humid country like ours! You will not be able to finish everything. Thanks for the temperature like yours, you will have more flowers in your garden..... The photos are of course always great.
ReplyDeleteHi Tatyana~~ We call them chores but there is something special about tidying up the garden, isn't there? It's different from inside cleaning.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about needing to bait around the primroses. Slugs just love them. I need to get bait around the hostas too.
Spring is early this year and isn't it wonderful? Thank you for the look around your beautiful garden.
We have had the coldest winter here in England for 31 years, and it has shown in the garden.I would normally have daffodils in flower, winter jasmine, etc, but the only things flowering so far are primroses and clematis Freckles. My tulips and daffodils are only just springing to life.Yesterday morning was beautiful and sunny,no coat in the garden, this morning there is a hard frost! You are very lucky to have had a warm winter! Best wishes Betty xx
ReplyDeleteLove the pussy willow photo. Shows that spring really is here.
ReplyDeleteI'm tired by reading your list of work! Actually, I'm jealous because I want to be out working in my garden, too.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos!
Cheers!
How delightful to have spring sprung in your garden. The pussywillow catkins are so pretty, and I just love the Hellebore photos. It's coming my way, I can feel it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of chores! But I am sure completed with a cheerful attitude.
ReplyDeleteSpring looks like it definitely arrived for you. Get out there and enjoy it as much as possible.
Gardening is not always about work, but enjoying beauty of nature.
It is rather difficult to believe that last year those were nothing more than pie in the sky dreams. Working in the garden, spreading compost.....
ReplyDeleteThis is truly an exceptional year.
Jen
How lovely! You are so fortunate to be working outside, Tatyana ... way too early here but we do catch a glimpse of sun, now and then :) Love your pussy willow header, a sure sign of spring!
ReplyDeleteSpring is in the air in Wisconsin, but it will be a month or more, if this is a normal year.... appreciate your photos and the hope of spring they provide while we are still under snow! LC
ReplyDeleteWell after seeing the cherry blossom on your last post I am not surprised at all at how much you got done - I just dream of doing things like that - plus I need to get out into the garden and burn off some of those calories I've kinda collected over the winter months! Great photos I've got similar plants in my garden but about 6 weeks behind. :) Rosie
ReplyDeleteI believe your winter was milder than ours! You got a lot accomplished, and now you are ahead. Does this mean more time for additional chores, or more time to sit back and enjoy it all? The flowers blooming in your garden are so lovely. I know they lift your spirits. Thanks for a delightful post to cheer us all.
ReplyDeleteWe are running behind schedule here but do get a warm day here and there during the winter to play in the garden. If only the rain would stay away long enough for us to complete some planned projects...
ReplyDeleteWe weren't able to do much of anything like that here -- and we're in the same zone. lol Love the turquoise bench!
ReplyDeleteI have not been able to get out into my snow-covered garden yet. It's wonderful to live vicariously through your words and pictures.
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