ellen Spring has been making its way to us here in the Midwest. Although we got March snow yesterday, the next few weeks really look like Spring will be hanging around for good. I have had crocus and daffodils blooming. The dogs have lounged in the sun on warm days. I even started some perennials a little earlier than I normally would have. With the temperatures being so nice, I did get a head start on my annuals flowers and veggies so they will be ready for an upcoming market.
Sunday, April 28th,
noon to 5pm,
Wild Onion (22221 N Pepper Rd, Lake Barrington, IL 60010)
If you are in the area, stop by! There will be artisans of all sorts!
Back to the Spring garden. I planted perennial roots in early March with hopes to get them acclimated to this year’s Spring. On the days we had in the 60s when the ground was warm, I planted roots of peonies, ferns, and lilies.
I started some astilbe, and they are hanging out in the tiny greenhouses since leaves started developing already. The idea behind my experiments in planting out a bit early are to follow the zone that each plant is capable of living in. For example, the lowest temp that a plant can take, I am planting the roots outdoors in coordination with that temperature. I am hoping for some success with this, results to be seen later on this Spring…
Last year, I was given ranunculus corms from Heather at Bottle and Branch. This is a new flower for me. Following the process Floret has for starting them, I have a ton hanging out in the tiny greenhouses getting ready for nicer days in the 40s and 50s. Some of the corms, where the leaves hadn’t emerged fully, I planted directly in the garden and covered them with mulch and plastic domes. We’ll see if they make it.
The seed starting is off and running with multiple cherry tomatoes in dark red, blue, oranges, and yellow. Should be beautiful.
Flower wise, I have blue clary sage, rudbeckia, petunias, impatiens, begonias, dahlias, snap dragons, moon flower, echinacea, and many more started. Everything is in the germination stage or about to be in the germination process. The beginning of the garden’s life has begun. I couldn’t be happier!
