Fresh Blooms

I can't believe it has been almost an entire year since I last posted!  Time sure passes quickly when you are busy!  This spring was a little later then normal and has been quite cool up until now.  I don't mind the cool temperatures (even though it makes everything a little slower to grow) as it makes it more comfortable to work.  This spring has been full of edging, dividing, transplanting, mulching, composting, and plenty of weeding!  Out on a job site today in Cape Elizabeth I took a few photos of some really pretty blooms right now, the first is a 'Shasta' Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum).  This heavy late spring bloomer fills it's lateral branches with lovely flower heads.  In the fall the leaves turn a nice dark red-maroon.

 

 

 

The 'Firewitch' Dianthus (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) is another bloomer right now with amazing hot pink flowers.  The silver-blue foliage and subtle fragrance make this a good choice for a spreading groundcover along a walkway or at the front of a garden bed.



Summer is only a few weeks away and I'm really looking forward to some warm days for canoeing, bike riding, and swimming.  I have a few small design projects I will be working on as well as many ongoing maintenance projects.  In addition I've started up another small business growing organic soil-grown microgreens for restaurants called Chickadee Greens.  I've had my first two customers so far and it is very exciting!  You can get more information about it by checking out the new website here (www.chickadeegreens.com).

Spring has arrived!

It took its sweet time, but it is finally here!  Daffodils and tulips have been blooming and the tips of many perennials have started to show themselves with all of the glorious sun we have had lately.  Luckily, later this week we will get some much needed rain.  Weeding, edging, mulching, composting and spring pruning will be taking up all of my time over the next month or so, along with a few new garden installations I am excited about planting next week.  I'll be sure to post some pictures once they are complete!

Beautiful Blooms

Thought I would share a few pictures of some tree and perennial blooms that are really stunning right now.  Above is a Bradford Pear tree (Pyrus calleryana) which is grown mainly for it's blooms, as it produces no fruit.

Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera) is a great early blooming perennial.  It is a quick spreader and looks best in a rock garden or creeping over a rock wall.

This weeping cherry tree (Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula') is one of my favorites this time of year.

The warm weather we had early on in March has put everything a week or two ahead of schedule, depending on location.  I've been keeping busy pulling spring weeds, dividing overgrown perennials, edging, mulching, and composting.  This work will continue through the first couple weeks of May.

Welcome Spring!

Although yesterday was the first day of spring, the temperatures here this week are more like mid-summer.  While I have been enjoying the sun and warmth it is a bit confusing, not only to me but the plants.  Bulbs are popping up and blooming just about everywhere, even in places that are normally covered in snow this time of year.

I am happy to get outside and back to work.  These next few weeks will be filled with plenty of spring pruning and weeding.  I pruned this row of beach roses (Rosa rugosa) yesterday, and I am still pulling the tiny thorns from my knuckles.  These roses are prolific around here on the coast and can be well regulated with a good spring cut.  To achieve the height you want, prune them 2-3 feet below where you would like them to be at the end of the summer (they can even handle being chopped to an inch or two above the soil line).  This row will reach about 6 inches above the fence by August.

Sprouts!

Last week while working in Cape Elizabeth I finally saw some real growth on the sweet pea plants that I started from seed.  They are almost 3 inches high now and should be climbing the fence in no time.  Here is a picture of the new sprouts:

The tulips are really starting to open up and show some great colors out there too (The Lobster Shack at the end of Two Lights Road).  The previous gardener here had a real love for bulbs (especially tulips) and planted an enormous amount.  It is really a stunning site and the crashing waves in the background aren’t so bad either. 

Happy Spring!

Welcome to my new website, thanks for checking it out!

I created this site to share photos, projects, and gardening tips throughout the season.  Please feel free to leave a comment, suggestion, or question anytime.

My anticipation for spring and warmer weather are increasing daily, especially after yesterday’s April Fool’s Day snowstorm (although I am excited it gives me the opportunity to break out those snowshoes a couple more times).  Over the next few weeks my projects include several days of pruning, planting some seeds, and starting spring clean-ups.  With temperatures predicted to rise near normal later this week, I think we are well on our way towards seeing more beautiful spring colors.