The Happy Gardener

Spring makes its own statement,

so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer.

~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

It seems this year that spring has taken its sweet time. Yet when it finally did decide to arrive it truly made a grand entrance. I am not sure if it was just the fact that I have been yearning so for it, yet it seems to me that this year is quite different than most. As I look out and see how Mother Nature is behaving it appears that instead of having a leisurely come and go event she has decided this year to have one big blow out party.

Everything seems to be blooming at the same time. Pollination of trees, grasses, weeds, and flowers seem to all be occurring in unison. Although this party has been playing havoc with my allergies, I have to admit that I am quite enjoying it. It has been some time since the colors have been as brilliant as they appear to be now.

It finally seems that the warm weather has come to stay so I have finally started my planting. Completely new varieties of flowers have been purchased and are currently being strategically placed throughout my yard and in the various gardens. The many others that were planted in years past have begun to sprout up everywhere. I am finally seeing some noticeable results from my previous efforts. Still this year I tried only to purchase perennials, with the exception of a few annuals that I plant in the pots around the back porch. Columbine, English daisies, Bleeding hearts, blanket flowers, and so many more still needs to be planted.

The Willows have leafed out nicely and are already lending their song to my afternoons when the breeze blows. They have always been one of my favorites in the summer. As the south breeze blows across the waters and through the willows one cannot help but relax. The frogs also have returned. I was somewhat worried last fall as it seemed that some of the larger ones disappeared earlier than normal and I feared that they may had been harvested by some of those who have admired their size and eatability. (I am not sure that is a word) Yet it seems that most of them are back with us and just as large as ever.

It has truly been a wonderful spring thus far, well worth waiting for.