White stuff

We are finally getting a little snow, emphasis on "little". It might not even stick around. But at least the ground feels frozen (less dirt for the dogs to track into the house), and it looks and feels like winter.

The seed catalogs are beginning to roll in, in ernest. I'll need some zinnia seeds, of course, but I am also contemplating growing a half dozen amaranth plants, for dyeing yarn. I can get both seeds from Pinetree Garden Seeds., but they don't have milkweed plants, just seeds. I scatter seeds in the target area each fall, but so far, none have taken, so I'll get some plants elsewhere.

More birdfeeders are up, including a cylinder of "bark butter" - basically suet and peanut butter - and niger seed. I stocked up on millet from Wild Birds Unlimited, along with some ears of field corn for the squirrels, and a fresh suet block I have yet to hang up. The peanut splits remain the most popular offering to the birds, but I'm sure they will catch on to the rest soon, especially now that we have some snow.

Snowy day

The snow started coming down during the night and continued for most of the day. It's a heavy snow, perfect for packing. My SO came over and helped clear the driveway, although I discovered it is possible to shovel snow using one arm. I welcome the snow, as a snowless landscape feels too much like February.

See the birdfeeder in the photo? That one is designed to let bluebirds in while keeping starlings out. It works, BUT. Only one or two birds can feed at one time, while I frequently have 5-10 birds wanting to eat. The floor of the feeder is solid, so spilled mealworms don't fall on the ground where the others wait. I think I'll replace the floor with hardware cloth and see how that works.

This past week I placed an order with Bluestone Perennials for catmint, specifically Nepeta 'Cat's Pajamas'. I also ordered a dozen purple coneflower, a.k.a. Echinacea Purpurea, from Prairie Moon Nursery. I *tried* to order some stuff from Burpee, but their site must have been overwhelmed with others doing the same thing, as my order would not go through, even after three tries on separate days. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something.

You snooze, you lose

I checked out the Aerogarden site after reading Erin's comment about starting seedlings in one. The new 3-pod 'Sprout' model was on sale. I decided to sleep on it - I have been decluttering not only physical space but mental and psychological space and wasn't sure I wanted to take on a new project - but when I went to make a purchase, they were sold out. In fact, many of their models are sold out. Due to the pandemic-inspired gardening craze? Or are they getting rid of last year's stock in anticipation of the new growing season?

This morning I woke up to a lovely blanket of snow. My ortho doc nixed cross country skiing, and conditions may be a bit too sticky for that anyway. I had to make do with shoveling the deck and front walks and around the gates I use most frequently; my neighbor across the street is kind enough to blow the driveway for me.

Recently I received a quote from a new lawncare company that utilizes organic methods. I'm excited. I used to treat my lawn myself, but gave that up after I lost a cat to tongue cancer. Meanwhile, the lawn has become quite weedy. I am going to try this business out, but just for the front yard as the backyard is still a work in progress.

I replaced the cracked corn in one bird feeder (which repeatedly clumped up and would not flow) with a mostly millet mix. The sparrows seem to really like it. Meanwhile, the starlings continue their feeding frenzy. They aren't nice to other birds and they aren't nice to each other. I hear crows on a regular basis and see geese flying overhead, unusual avian events in the middle of winter. I even saw a heron the other day.

Despite precautions, my SO and I managed to catch little colds this past week, as did my granddaughter the week before. It must be one more thing going around. I was a little surprised but blame it on the maskless. Come on, people! Let's help each other out here.

Last snow?

Last year, when it came time to take the lawn mower to the garden center for servicing, I had to drag it through the snow from the backyard shed. Today, when the reminder popped up on my phone, I considered a repeat performance, then decided if I wait a couple of days, the snow will be gone. That's how it has been this winter - cold and sometimes snow, followed by ridiculously warm temperatures. But now spring is near, so maybe we will just have the latter, not the former.

My SO and I attended the annual home and garden show a week or so ago. I may have found a source for the gazebo I envision. Also, I picked up some flower seeds from the Allen County Master Gardeners, including Cardinal Climber, which hummingbirds are purported to love. I was hoping to hook up with the guy who will help me with a new design for my yard, but we missed each other.

I'm starting some of the annual pre-planting chores, like rooting coleus transplants from the mother plant overwintering in the den. I also placed an order with Outside Pride, for some miniclover. I dislike treating my lawn, but occasionally succumb to my embarrassment over all the weeds. Also, the soil is compacted heavy clay. I'm hoping the miniclover will perform as described: aerating the soil, fixing nitrogen, tolerating drought (I fear we will have some dry summers ahead, thanks to El Nino), and in general, improving the health and appearance of my lawn. I'll test it in the backyard first.

I also ordered some Thunbergia (Black Eyed Susan Vine) and Cypress Vine seeds. Meanwhile, I meditate on how best to grow some of these annual vines on my pergola. I anticipate imitating the Chicago Botanical Garden, protecting the wood with flashing while growing the plants in wire baskets. Unless someone has a better idea? I'm open to suggestions.

My heron looks like a snowy egret today.

Let it snow

Today we received the first snowfall of autumn 2015. Usually, some kind of snow falls by Halloween, but the weather is late this year. Climate change? El Nino? Who knows.

Yesterday I did manage to water the new prairie plants on the south side of the house and top dress them in straw. The strawberry bed is protected as well. Today I put away the hoses and cleared the front porch of soggy Jack O' Lantern and dead coleus.

The flamingos are garaged and the driveway markers are set, so bring it on.

Good things about February

I've said it before and I'll say it again - February is the longest month of the year, at least around these parts. Seeds and plants are ordered but it is too early to start transplants inside. The only "gardening" fun I have is eating all the goodies I put by last year.

We have had snow, which some people think is a bad thing, but it is actually good for the garden. Snow shoveling is also handy for keeping the gardening muscles in shape. That said, I am still grateful for the help of neighbors when the snow is heavy and/or too thick.

Garden Rant has been hosting a series of posts extolling or berating the concept of "winter interest" in the garden. I don't plant for winter interest, but I think if you have snow, you can't help but find the yard interesting to view. Better than the usual brown and gray.

Finn suffers from cabin fever, punctuating my day with requests to go out, then two minutes later, come back in. Despite having a litter box in the laundry room, he still prefers the outdoors as his potty. And sometimes he even plays in the snow a bit.

Best of all is the recovery of the Meyer lemon tree, as demonstrated by its current vigor and recent blossoming. If you recall, the poor plant was looking pretty peaked a year or so ago when I took some drastic action. It produced no fruit at all last year, but things look more promising for 2015.

The whole room is filled with the sweet scent of the blossoms. Not every flower will produce a lemon, as the plant is smart enough to "self prune" by dropping the fruit it can't support to ripening. Harvest won't occur until December.

That's a long time to wait, but well worth it.

The end, I hope

Last week, Mother Nature teased us with some warmish weather before dumping another load of white, this time heavy, sticky snow. Pretty but still pretty annoying.

The vegetable garden

The bird feeders

The patio beds

The patio

View to the north

Frosted fencing

Sunshine by the end of the day

Most of this last batch is gone already, but today is frigid. There was a time when I thought it might be fun (ha-ha) to live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or in Maine or even Canada. After this winter? No way.

Second verse, same as the first

Oh, great, now THAT song is my newest ear worm.

Compare with previous photo of cat lawn ornament

Last Saturday I nearly cried while watching slush fall from the sky. I thought maybe winter was getting to me, but it was just the slush talking. I am okay with snow, even this much.

The long path to the bird feeders

Once again, my wonderful neighbor came to my rescue and blew the driveway. THANK GOD, because clearing the front walk almost did me in. There is nowhere to put the snow anymore. I tried throwing it over the existing mounds, failed in the execution, and watched the pitched snow tumble back to the sidewalk.

Like most boys, Finn likes to pee outside

I still had to clear the patio myself so that the dog could get beyond the step to do her bidness. That wasn't so bad, primarily due to the fact that snow does not stick to the backyard shovel like it does the front yard shovel.

From "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"

What? You don't have two shovels? I use a "back-saver" in the front because of the driveway, a regular shovel in the back. The latter is the one I used to carry in the car, along with clay kitty litter, but now I just stay home when the roads are crappy. The wonders of technology allow that, so nyah.

My toes are cold!

It is supposed to stay cold so maybe, just maybe, I will break out the cross country skis this weekend. (I probably just jinxed myself.)

Under the snow

I am so tired of seeing nothing but white when I look out the window. And today, just to add a special twist, Mother Nature is topping it off with some freezing rain. Glad I don't have anywhere to go.

While it looks like everything is frozen and still, secret activities occur below the surface of what we see. I would not have noticed or identified this hole in the snow as belonging to a mouse if I had not seen the critter venture out for a second before scurrying back to safety.

Come spring, evidence of rodent tunnels will snake across the dormant lawn until the grass greens up and grows.

White on white

Look what greeted me this morning:

And WeatherBug indicated the snowfall would continue for a while:

Even though the temps were in the single digits, the wind was too, so it was not too bad out. I shoveled the front walk and back patio. The Best Neighbor in the World happens to live across the street from me. He blew my driveway yesterday, even though there was not much there, and I expect he will do the same today. (In fact, there he is now!)

To add insult to injury, I feel like I am coming down with a cold. That would explain the little headache I have been nursing for the past few days, plus my general lack of energy.

The cold temps this past week did not delay shipment of garden seeds. I could not help but wonder whether that was such a good idea. If the seeds don't germinate, I will complain.

Speaking of complaining, Finn is *not* amused by the cold and snow, keeps crying for more catnip. I guess his solution is to remain as stoned as possible for the duration.

If I lived in another state, I might consider that a viable option, too.

And so it begins

Friday I was playing in the compost piles. Saturday I awoke to this:

A good portion of that wet sloppy snow is gone, but I'm sure the weather gods can stir up more if they so desire.

To combat all that winterness outside, I started onion plants inside.

I have not grown onions from seed for ages, so this will be an experiment. The reason for turning to seed is I have been unhappy with the selection of onion sets and unhappy with the results from the past few years. Of course, as soon as I ordered seeds for a variety called Copra, I received a seed catalog with an improved Copra called Cortland. *sigh*

Anyway, expecting to plant one square foot garden bed entirely with onions, I planted 144 seeds. (Nine plants per square foot times 16 square feet = 144, right?) The plan is to get them into the ground around April 1.

Scene of the crime

Nature is not cruel.  It is just nature.

Apparently, a rabbit became a meal right under one of the bird feeders.  Besides the trampled, blood-stained snow, there were tufts of fur all about.  I'm not a naturalist, but I wonder if the snow cover is helping the predators spot prey this winter.  That might also explain the dearth of squirrels at the feeders.  It seems like there are fewer birds as well.

While we usually get some snow every year, it ordinarily does not stick around.  At least the snow cover keeps me from getting too anxious to start gardening, despite the arrival of seeds, seeds, and more seeds.

I forgot to mention that, when I repotted the chives, I got to use my new root knife from Lee Valley.  Nice tool!  I am looking forward to dividing hostas with it this spring.