Spring Secrets for an Easy Care Garden - May GBBD

Through the years, I have discovered a few secrets that add beauty and interest to my spring garden. With so much in the garden, I do not always have time to give each plant individualized care, so I tend toward plants that are low maintenance. To gain beauty and easy care makes gardening a dream. These are some of the stars in my spring garden.

Plant shrubs that splash with bold and beautiful color in spring.

Azalea

These azaleas require little care and always please the eye come spring. I side-dress them with a little compost at the beginning of spring, and then supplement with coffee grounds later in the year. I may prune them a bit after flowering, but other than that I leave them alone. I do not know the variety of these azaleas. They were planted with the house when we moved in.

Azalea

Intermingle herbs with other blooming plants.

Chives - Allium schoenoprasum

I began adding herbs to the perennial beds a few years ago, and I have been very pleased with the outcome. Some herbs offer a gorgeous display of color in the spring and work well in the perennial bed. Most perennial herbs are very low maintenance and drought tolerant.

At first, I had all of the chives in the vegetable garden for companion planting, but they spread very far and wide. I divided them and placed them in several areas of the perennial beds. The spring bloom of pale purple adds a color I do not have much of in those beds. Chives is very easy to grow and is drought tolerant.

Chives - Allium schoenoprasum

Yarrow is another herb I added to the perennial bed. I have several varieties, and I just love the color and the varied foliage. After blooming in spring, they may bloom again after deadheading. In addition to the color they add to the spring garden, they add a delicate elegance of structure and form.

Yarrow 'Moonlight' - Achillea

Sage is another herb I have scattered about in my perennial beds. It has a very strong fragrance that I often touch as I pass, and the flowers are full of subtle color.

Common Garden Sage - Salvia officinalis

The ever lovely iris is a queen in the spring garden.

Iris 'Gypsy Geena'

Over the years I have added many varieties of iris in the garden. Friends and fellow gardeners have given me some of their lot, and they have naturally spread into little communities here and there. I have about 10 separate garden beds around the house, and irises are in almost every single one of them. There are many colors and combinations available, and they spread very easily and quickly. I keep the rhizomes covered with a bit of mulch to keep crickets from chewing on them. In early spring, I side-dress them with a bit of greensand.

Wild Iris

Plan and design for foliage color and contrast.

Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Viridis' and Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Sunset'

I am somewhat of a natural gardener. I plan the placement and the form of the beds very carefully, but many of the plantings in my garden beds have evolved over time with a little bit of this and a little bit of that. However, I did plan the placement of the Japanese Maples above to accent the colors of the foliage. It worked out very nicely, and I am happy with the contrasting colors.

What are some of the spring secrets in your garden?

I am joining Carol of May Dreams Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

© copyright 2013 Michelle A. Potter

Wordless Wednesday

© copyright 2013 Michelle A. Potter

My Garden Notebook - May 2013

Spring has beautifully emerged with a slow creep that has allowed each bloom, each leaf, to step out into the season with tender care and ultimate beauty. Vivid colors of blooms are lasting and fulfilling more than promised. The forest canopy has filled in the emptiness with an artist's hand, delicately painting in all the color and texture over time.

There have been moments when my impatience has gotten the best of me as I could not wait for a bud to splash into petals, but savoring all this beauty far outweighs any peeves I may have. The gradual dawning of each delicate petal, bud, leaf is a sight to behold, to luxuriate in the elegance of each stage as it ponders its next step. It is a lesson to slow down, to treasure, to relish this season of utter beauty and welcome surprises. After the resigned birth of this spring with its paused display of grace and artistry, I do not think I will ever experience spring the same way again.

stats

Gardening Zone: 7a
April High Temperature: 89 degrees F
April Low Temperature: 28 degrees F
Precipitation: 2.97 inches

wildlife

There has been a Cooper's Hawk or a Sharp-shinned Hawk frequenting the backyard. I think it is hunting the backyard birds, but it may also be hunting voles. I have not been able to capture it with the camera yet.

Cooper's Hawk - image from www.birdsource.org by Gary Botello

Sharp-shinned Hawk - image from www.birdsource.org by Robin Solomon

While I was mulching the flower beds, I came across this little bunny who did not go very far after I frightened him. I think I have found the culprit who has been nibbling on my dill in the herb garden. It is only about five inches long. As much havoc as they wreak in my garden, I still find them very cute.

I often see the Pileated Woodpecker in the adjacent woods. They are easily frightened, so I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to get a somewhat decent photo of one of them.

The Mourning Doves always seem to be in pairs.

what's blooming, sprouting


The redbuds and cherry trees finally bloomed and the color was a welcome sight.

Redbud Trees in Bloom

Even as the new leaves come in, the tender and supple birth is full of color.

Redbud Tree - 'Forest Pansy'

In January and February I noticed several vole holes on the top of this protected tulip bed, and I thought the voles had finally found a way to nibble on the bulbs. They must have been deterred by my methods because the tulips came up beautifully. See The Vole in the Garden: Control Methods.

Mixed Tulips

The azaleas are budding. I am hoping those ants are controlling the aphids.

Red Azalea - Sherwood Forest

The Carolina Jessamine is always fragrant and golden.

Carolina Jessamine - Gelsemium sempervirens

We had problems with our trash container falling because of the winds on the side of the house and the slope on which it is perched. A few years ago, we erected a trellis on either side of it, and I planted Carolina Jessamine by each trellis. The plants have climbed up the trellis and created an arbor over the trash container. And now we have no more problems with it falling. Besides, the scent is very pleasant each time we walk near in the spring.

Carolina Jessamine - Gelsemium sempervirens

The pink dogwood is one of my favorite trees because the blooms seem to last and last with that lovely color.

Pink Dogwood - Cornus florida 'Rubra'

Pink Dogwood - Cornus florida 'Rubra'

These are the last daffodils to bloom.

Golden Bells Carpet Daffodils

The irises are budding.

Iris

The Japanese maples have such nice color when the leaves are out.

Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Viridis' and Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Sunset'

And they seem to glow when the sunlight caresses the leaves.

Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Sunset'

After taking a long winter's nap, the hostas are ready to greet the light.

Hosta

in the vegetable garden

The vegetable garden beds are filling up for the season. I place the red tomato teepees around some of the smaller tomatoes to keep them warm on cool days and nights.

Vegetable Garden

In the garden...spinach

Spinach - 'Corvair'

...peas

Snowpeas - 'Avalanche'

...red cabbage

Red Cabbage - 'Cairo'

...strawberries

Strawberry - 'Tribute'

...lettuce

Red Leaf Lettuce - 'Red Sails'

The herb garden is filling up with annual herbs to sit beside the perennial herbs.

completed chores


cleared away plant debris and leaves in remaining plant beds
weeded remaining garden beds
spread compost in remaining beds
planted tomatoes, spinach, strawberries, red cabbage in vegetable garden
planted basil, dill, tarragon, parsley, carraway, Thai basil in herb garden
weeded vegetable garden paths
planted annuals in containers and garden beds
sowed squash seeds in planting trays
sheared boxwoods
planted Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) shrubs
spread beneficial nematodes to control Japanese Beetles

chores for May

plant remaining annuals in containers
plant gladioli
spread milky spore powder
complete mulching beds
sow green beans
plant bell pepper plants in vegetable garden beds

Tulip - 'Peach Passion'

What's in your Garden Notebook for April?

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I had some connectivity issues this last month. I hope things continue to go well for I plan to post more about composting.

I am joining in the following:

Helen of The Patient Gardener hosts End of Month View. This monthly meme is where garden bloggers share their garden views for the end of the month.

And The Gardening Blog for Garden Bloggers Harvest Day, a monthly meme where bloggers can show off their gardens.

© copyright 2013 Michelle A. Potter

My Garden Notebook - April 2013

March has been a month of extremes. We have had several snowfalls and a few days of temperatures in the 50's or 60's. Spring is definitely moving in like a lamb. Although I am yearning for more of the warmth and color of spring, I do relish the snow. I yearn for it so desperately in the winter that when it comes, whenever it comes, it is hard for me to complain.

A childlike sense of wonder seems to come over me, and I table my yearning and savor every snowflake, every frost covered branch, every sweep of alabaster across the landscape. It is almost as if I think I will never see it again. Perhaps it is a way to honor its presence before it retreats for the season--for I will not see it again for many months.

crocus longiflorus

And when the snow melts,--which it did very quickly as the rain fell to wash it away or the temperatures rose high enough to thaw it away--I am transformed to spring mode. Spring nods her head once again as if to say I am here despite winter's long goodbye. I check the daffodils, the crocuses, the peas, to ensure all is well. Although they have been pushed by the wind and smothered by the snow, they all take it in stride. 

stats

Gardening Zone: 7a
March High Temperature: 61 degrees F
March Low Temperature: 27 degrees F
Precipitation: 2.8 inches


wildlife

The American Robin is visiting in high numbers. Sometimes I see 10 to 15 of them in the backyard with about two to four feet between them listening for worms over the ground.

American Robin

This wren perches each morning on the deck railing and sings a morning wake-up call.

House Wren

The squirrels make their way up through the woods to the backyard bird feeder.

Squirrel Tracks

what's blooming, sprouting

The maple blooms are red and sassy and are one of the first to show color.

Red Maple Blooms - Acer rubrum

The crocuses are blooming and attracting insects.

crocus longiflorus

Cherry blossoms will soon be open despite the snow.

Yoshino Cherry Blossom Buds

I have always thought dogwood buds are just as pretty as dogwood blossoms.

Pink Dogwood Blossom Buds - Cornus florida

The hellebores are still blooming and blooming along with the daffodils.

Christmas Rose with Daffodils - Hellebores with narcissus

The daffodils are blooming all around the yard in patches here and there. The side yard still needs some clearing of debris, but the daffodils are shining through.

Hydrangeas are bursting to open into spring.

Oak Leaf Hydrangea Buds - Hydrangea quercifolia

The primroses are opening with beautiful color.

Primrose - Primula vulgaris

In the garden, the peas are holding their own amid the weather changes.

Snowpeas - Avalanche

I do not have time to sow every plant in the garden, so I sow some garden plants, and I buy others. Here are some flats of spinach, lettuce,  strawberries, cabbage, leeks, cilantro, parsley, basil, and tarragon. I will plant the veggies in a day or two. The herbs I may wait to plant. Basil is a bit sensitive to these below freezing night temperatures. Cilantro and parsley will most likely embrace the colder temperatures.

completed chores

cleared away plant debris and leaves in some plant beds
trimmed liriope
spread compost in garden beds
tested soil
spread lime

chores for April

clear away plant debris and leaves in remaining plant beds
weed remaining garden beds
spread compost in remaining beds
plant vegetable plants in garden
weed and mulch garden paths
plant annuals in containers and garden beds

inspirations

Spring has been slow in its arrival this year, but I am so inspired by the first blooms. Color and warmth are on the way.

crocus longiflorus

projects

Recently, I wrote a book, 150 Things You Can Compost, which is available on Amazon for only 99 cents. I wrote this as a resource for myself and others who compost. Often, we forget how many things other than kitchen waste or garden scraps and leaves can be composted.

Teaching compost classes as a Master Gardener, I often get the question of what to compost other than kitchen and garden waste. I compost everything from pizza boxes to old wooden chopsticks to pet hair to old leather gloves. So many of the things we use each day will break down in the compost pile.

Over the next few months, I will be discussing more about composting and all the things that can be composted.

What's in your Garden Notebook for April?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am joining in the following:

Helen of The Patient Gardener hosts End of Month View. This monthly meme is where garden bloggers share their garden views for the end of the month.

And The Gardening Blog for Garden Bloggers Harvest Day, a monthly meme where bloggers can show off their gardens.


© copyright 2013 Michelle A. Potter