I couldn’t stop myself … I couldn’t resist … On Monday I finally went outside and did some yard work! First Spring cleaning for the garden this year!
Of course I had to pick a rather cool day and naturally, as per usually, I didn’t go out during the afternoon when it would be warmer and brighter … nope, Chris and I waited until it was about 7 pm before deciding to go outside to take some pictures of the Crocus and other plants that we spotted coming up and that of course turned into what was supposed to be a short lawn raking session.
All in all we were outside for close to two hours and the temp fell to -1 Celsius (30 F) by the time we came back indoors tired and frozen!
Most of the leaves and dead grass has now been raked off the front and back lawns. There were a few areas, shady areas, where the ground was still quite hard and the leaves were a frozen mass stuck to the grass. LOL
We even started to take some of the leaves off of the garden beds. I was surprised at how many of our plants were growing! Now that we’re getting some rain and it’s above zero most of the time I expect to see a lot more green – perhaps by the weekend.
I discovered that the Sedum had little green nubs coming up, there were some tulip leaves, maybe some Grape hyacinth leaves, our two hydrangeas have leaf buds, and the Chives had doubled in size from when I first discovered them last week. I also think some of the German Iris leaves had started to come up and green as well. There’s so much life in the garden hidden under a thin layer of leaves.
Have you been out in your yard doing any Spring cleaning yet? Discovered any plants that you didn’t expect to be coming up yet?
I’ve been raking, too! I began last week by just taking the top 3″ of oak leaf mulch I pile on in the fall. I left about an inch or so… just so thing could grow through. This week (mind you, we’re near the end of March) I’ve continued my raking, and today I raked a LOT. Pretty nearly everything came off! And yes, lots of things are poking through. I think it’s early for my pulmonaria to be starting to grow. Many tall sedum are beginning to grow. My tulips and daffodils are growing (my earliest daffs are budded) and these are not in “sheltered south sides.” Tonight’s forecast had me doing what any self-respecting gardener would do. Re-distributing mulch over all those early plantings! The forecast is 4″ of snow. (I knew I was getting too ambitions – or impatient?) 😉
We just bought our first house and have so much to do out in our yard! Can’t wait to get it all cleaned up and the garden started. woo hoo! Got to get my rain barrel out soon.
Just wanted you to know that I’m now posting my Green Thumb Sunday post! Hope you can make it over. 🙂
I’ve done a little spring cleaning, too…and started a compost bin with the yard waste. I’m a little behind, but I just got my green thumb sunday post up!
Lucky you 🙂 I can still see some snow through the window in my country. :)) Nice blog by the way 🙂
Actually it is still too cold here in Toronto. There has been only about 2 days that you could comfortably go outside. Roll on summer.
I’ve discover that some plants grew completely over others, will start to discipline them a bit now.
Considering a compost bin to get rid of the clipping, either a worm based system such as the worm hive or a low effort bin system such as the earthmaker no-turn composter.
Can’t wait to see the result!
hi,
you did the best thing one can do after the winter. going out and enjoying life and nature. i envy you. it’s still cold here. 🙁
Great post! Haha, Kostenloses’ comment made me laugh a bit, but I completely agree you must go out and enjoy the environment after a long period of time like that, especially in nasty winter weather. Luc #7 I think you should look into a compost bin or worm hiv, I bought myself one last year and it makes a world of difference, I wouldn’t go without it now! I am looking forward to some interesting posts from you!
I love cleaning in my yard and planting more flowers so that it will look more beautiful..