Corn Gluten

Since rain is headed our way, I sprinkled the front garden with corn gluten. It is a natural weed preventer that is safe around pets and kids. It works by preventing weed seeds from germinating. Here is a link to a recent article about using corn gluten on your lawn. http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/43637577.html?elr=KArksUUUU
(You may have to register at this site in order to view the article.)

I often remember to apply corn gluten in the spring, but then things get busy and I forget to apply it again mid-summer and late summer. It does need multiple applications to be effective.

It smells like popcorn!

Sunny and cool

....A perfect day for working out in the garden. I've been busy pulling out grass and weeds. While I tried very hard last fall to get all the grass roots out of the garden area, I knew there would be a few stray pieces that would take hold and grow. Now, out they come!

I also removed the dry stream bed that I had laid last fall. I didn't realize that I should have put a plastic layer (like a pond liner) at the bottom - I just used landscaping fabric. Then I did some research on rain gardens and found the right way to do it. Luckily, it is a short stream bed!!

This isn't my garden! This picture was taken at Epcot. The flower show was in full swing and everything was so beautiful! What was interesting in this shot was all of the clay pots full of different types of annuals. It would be so much fun to arrange and re-arrange according to what was blooming. It might be fun to try on a smaller scale.

Notice that all of the pots are different - sizes, shapes, details.

Tulips

I think these are Angelique tulips - one of my favorites. They look like peonies when they bloom. They are planted in front of some Russian sage, which are not showing signs of life just yet. Patience!

It has been very dry for April and I am thinking I will need to drag a hose around and do some watering tomorrow. Only a 20% chance of rain in the forcast for one day in the next week!

Scilla

I just spent a happy hour out in the garden. The scilla are blooming - just tiny things, but it is always so nice to see blooms! Many of the perennials that I planted last fall are showing their first green leaves. There are daylilies, painted daisies, silvermound, salvias, bell flowers, sea lavender, catmint, and baby's breath. One of my five peonies has sent up its first deep rose leaf buds!

Also showing up are bleeding heart, sundrops, yarrow, creeping phlox and queen of the prairie.

And some purple coneflowers, autumn joy sedum and a lily. There are daffodils that are about 6 inches tall with some buds forming and some tulips that are up about 4 inches.

I did a bit of weeding - pulling some grass out of the front garden. I have been waiting for my bulbs to come up so that I wouldn't disturb them. Now I can get down to business and get that grass out!

Seedlings

It was a beautiful day today, so I had to take a peek at the seedlings. The alyssum and bachelor buttons seem to be doing the best.

Not many of the perennial seeds have sprouted - but I think there were fewer of them to begin with.

It will be about a month before these seedlings can be planted into the ground - our average last frost date is May 15.

Garden Quote

"The creation of a good garden can take years, even a lifetime, so it is the journey that must be enjoyed. You will need time, patience, and sometimes a touch of insanity along the way."

Tracy DiSabato-Aust, from her book The Well-Designed Mixed Garden

Tracy's other book, The Well-Tended Perennial Garden is an excellent reference for the begining gardener, as well as those of us who have been gardening for years.

Snow - Again!

Woke up this morning to a blanket of fresh snow. There was about an inch and it melted away this afternoon.

Only about 40 degrees today - but with the sunshine, it didn't feel too bad.

I ordered these arbors last fall and today was a good day to put them together. I plan to use them in the garden right near the house - they will hold climbing roses.

Tundra swans

While out for my morning walk, I saw a flock of tundra swans, migrating north. What an awesome sight!

The first time I saw tundra swans was the spring my mom had a stroke. They seemed like a sign that better days were ahead. So now when I see them, I feel the same way. Better days are ahead and something wonderful is just around the corner. A reminder of just how amazing our world is!