The first warm sunny day of spring
I walked the yard today and was excited beyond belief. The crocuses were in full bloom, the daffodils were a day away from their beautiful yellow flowers and the tulips and hyacinths were right behind them. Every plant was sprouting buds. I was out of control and totally ignored all the cleanup work that needed to be done first. There was only one thing to do. I shouted to my wife, “Carolyn, start the truck, I need to go to the nursery and buy some new plants.”
Carolyn challenged my sanity and asked me if my plan was to put the new pots next to the plants that I still have not planted from last fall. I told her there was a really good reason for not planting them, but I forgot what it was. She then chided me about preparing for this year’s vegetable garden. At this time of the year you should be sowing seeds and transplanting in your vegetable garden. That assumes you determined what you actually wanted to plant, ordered the seeds and developed a seeding plan. Your plan should have included cool crops, ( spring and fall/winter) as well as warm crops, ( summer ). And of course you remembered to rotate your vegetables.
Then she rightly pointed out that before I start planting flower beds, it would be a good idea to first clean up leaves, branches and other debris. Eradicating the weeds is paramount before they go to seed. Pruning for shape, removing dead material and encouraging growth would also be a good idea. Before buying new plants, check to see if your existing plants need to be divided. Do not be afraid to relocate or get rid of plants that are in the wrong location.
Finally she said it is extremely important to prepare a plan for this year for what needs immediate attention and what priority you want to give to your wish list. I knew she was right so I got out a pad of paper and a pen and started to write….. “I will be home in an hour; I am at the nursery to buy some new plants, Love John”. When I got home and unloaded all my new plants, there were three large boxes at the front door. They contained all the plants I forgot I ordered three months ago from one of my favorite catalogs. Now I questioned my sanity.
Carolyn challenged my sanity and asked me if my plan was to put the new pots next to the plants that I still have not planted from last fall. I told her there was a really good reason for not planting them, but I forgot what it was. She then chided me about preparing for this year’s vegetable garden. At this time of the year you should be sowing seeds and transplanting in your vegetable garden. That assumes you determined what you actually wanted to plant, ordered the seeds and developed a seeding plan. Your plan should have included cool crops, ( spring and fall/winter) as well as warm crops, ( summer ). And of course you remembered to rotate your vegetables.
Then she rightly pointed out that before I start planting flower beds, it would be a good idea to first clean up leaves, branches and other debris. Eradicating the weeds is paramount before they go to seed. Pruning for shape, removing dead material and encouraging growth would also be a good idea. Before buying new plants, check to see if your existing plants need to be divided. Do not be afraid to relocate or get rid of plants that are in the wrong location.
Finally she said it is extremely important to prepare a plan for this year for what needs immediate attention and what priority you want to give to your wish list. I knew she was right so I got out a pad of paper and a pen and started to write….. “I will be home in an hour; I am at the nursery to buy some new plants, Love John”. When I got home and unloaded all my new plants, there were three large boxes at the front door. They contained all the plants I forgot I ordered three months ago from one of my favorite catalogs. Now I questioned my sanity.