 The drought
of early winter is mitigated now by soaking
rains, and the days are lengthening quickly as
daylight savings time increases our evening hours to
almost 8:30. The winds have been high frequently this
month, and we've taken to the hills with our kites.
Brilliant sun alternates with the frequent
rain, and the two have conspired to call the plants
forth in earnest now; plants are sprouting all over
the garden. Honeybees busily focus their
attentions on the PJM rhododendrons and the myrtle,
both of which are in full bloom.
Our Garden Journal is a production of The Parker Family. Copyright 1999, all rights reserved. |
The royal
star magnolia is particularly lovely this year.
Despite our usual late frost warning, we've had an
exceptionally long showing of the magnolia's
snowy beauty. The purple PJMs and forsythia
join with it to make a colorful array in the front
garden. The lawn is fertilized this month, and the
chipmunks are back, scampering across the patio and up
the birdfeeder pole to partake of the safflower
seed. The safflower is unappetizing to the squirrels,
but apparently not to all.
The
bleeding heart is at its best, measuring three
feet across with lush green leaves and brilliant pink
and white blossoms. With the vernal equinox behind us,
we're turning our thoughts to vegetables now!
The boxes for our 4-foot-square, raised vegetable beds
are built, and we plant lettuces, spinach,
onions, and carrots. Apparently we'll need to do
something about deer fencing soon, as the deer have
already begun to browse the daylilies at the
back of the butterfly garden.