So many exciting things are happening!!
- The tulips are poking up!
- The snow is gone!
- My brain is going crazy with gardening stuff to do!
I plan to build some stuff this week:
- A window-box type holder for the back porch railing
- Trellises for the alley garden
- Maybe work on converting some planters to self-waterers
Also need to further plan my beds! Also need to figure out how to get the manure from my parents’ down to my house!
I have a call in to the Capitol Region Watershed District about their rain barrel grants. I am hoping we can install several since they match what you pay dollar for dollar.
My thoughts are also turning to hardscaping – flagstone paths and edging in the front yard.
My wildest dreams are trying to figure out how to espalier a fruit tree on the front of the garage.
Some bummers, too:
- The bunnies chewed off the climbing roses so we only have one cane of old wood now.
- The hydrangea planted last fall is not showing any signs that it plans to come back, though I may not be looking for the right signs.
- No crocus or daffodil action yet. I am, however, encouraged by the tulips.
Today’s item of research has been organic lawn care. Should I aerate or not? Should I apply fertilizer (Ringers was recommended) or just compost? Bah!! Although in the process I did find a nifty new permaculture forum that seems pretty active and welcoming.
Overall, though, a Yippeeeeeeeeee!
March 24, 2010 at 1:16 am
Bummer about the hydrangea and roses. We have an old hydrangea in our yard, and I am so glad!
Strange that your tulips are up before the crocus and daffys…. did the squirrels get them??
HAPPY SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!
March 24, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Well, we will still see about the hydrangea . . . at least it had a year guarantee on it so we can get a refund or another.
As far as the crocus and daffodils, I’m wondering if planting deeply really did do these babies in? I read last fall (and since I don’t know any better, I put a lot of stock in what I read!) that in Minnesota it’s good to plant bulbs deeper than the package said. I think this was for heaving and also to help them last more years. I’m pretty sure it’s not squirrels, because I buried chicken wire just above the bulbs (so at about 12″) and no signs of disturbance, anyway. Will keep you updated!
March 24, 2010 at 1:31 pm
For lawn care we have found watering with a light application of fish emulsion a couple times across the growing season works really well. We already use it on on veggies and other plants so it’s not much more work to do the lawn. It does smell “fishy” for a day after the application. A compost tea would work great as an alternate option.
We’re adding an espalier orchard to a section to our fence-line this year. There are some great resources out there for espaliering, including the MN Landscape Arboretum’s Library. They also have a nice espalier display as well.
-Kate and Daniel
http://www.urbanton.com
Growing 2000 lbs of food on an urban city lot.
March 24, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Thanks for both the tips! I have seen the Arboretum’s espaliered apple trees and they are pretty darn impressive. I read on your blog how you are doing it and look forward to seeing what comes of it. We will get to fruit trees one of these years. It helps to know that yes, there are other people in Minnesota who think these craaaazy things can be done