Blog
-
Visitors Welcome – Especially Cats!
Last summer, a couple of weird things happened. First, I turned on the backyard light one night and saw an orange and white cat patiently sitting under a shrub by the bird feeders. Then, a few weeks later, as I walked across the side yard, I spotted a black and white cat carrying something. I…
-
Grape Hyacinth in Lawn
Yesterday, I spotted a grape hyacinth, Muscari armeniacum, growing on the lawn. I have no grape hyacinths growing in my yard. To the best of my knowledge, none of my neighbors do either. The plant is seven feet from a grouping of snow crocus that also self-sewed on my lawn. I made a couple of…
-
Grass Edging Tool for Tree Rings
Yesterday, I cut a fresh edge around a couple of sugar maples with my favorite grass edging tool. We had rain and fog in the morning and the soil was soft. Perfect for edging! Spade for Grass Edging Tool Sometimes, I prefer to use a sharp spade to edge the lawn. I don’t always use…
-
Pansies Yellow and Purple
Yesterday I spotted pansies in front of the supermarket begging for a home. They pulled on my heartstrings until I brought two flats home. The truth is, my wife wrote pansies on the grocery list. She didn’t have to. By early April, I’ll take any blooms I can to add color to the landscape. There…
-
Snowdrops | Early Bloom
While walking the other day, I saw a grouping of snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis, that lit up the landscape on a blustery, bleak winter’s day. Snowdrops bloom incredibly early, before daffodils. This picture was taken in mid-March in USDA Hardiness Zone 6. The grouping is on the edge of a New England Forest in humusy soil. Partial…
-
Don’t Let Past Affect Present
Yesterday I found this quote, and it invigorated me. Don’t let your past affect your present; let it motivate your future. Unknown If you know who said this, please let me know. A New Blog One of my goals this year is to start a blog about the topics in this post and more. I…
-
Snow Crocus: Unstoppable Early Spring Bloom
It’s mid-March, and my snow crocus has bloomed for a few weeks. What’s the secret to such early spring flowers? How do I pull off such a fantastic feat every year? Simple. I do nothing! Snow crocus is one of the first bulbs, technically, it’s a corm, to bloom in the landscape. Crocus is extremely…
-
First Daffodil of The Season
Today, March 19, 2023, I just returned from a walk. It’s been in the high 30’s F with winds gusting to a little over 10 mph. The sun makes it look warm, but you better be bundled up if you head outside. While walking, I noticed several Daffodils groupings and anticipated they would be in…
-
Spring Flowers for Early Bloom in the Landscape
We all want to see color after a long dreary winter. However, what can we plant to get spring flowers sooner? Yesterday, I looked out the kitchen window and the Arnold Promise Witch Hazel was on fire. It’s mid-march and I’ve already got a flowering tree in full bloom. Arnold Promise Witch Hazel doesn’t have…