Winter Just Keeps on Coming!

We can't seem to shake snow and cold this year.  The yard has been snow covered since early December, with no end in sight.  Even though the temps may rise above freezing for a few days this week, lows are projected to go below zero for three days again over the weekend and early next week.

The photo at left is of a plant stand that we left out over the winter.  It is at least a foot from the bottom to the level that is just being met by the snow.  And this is right next to the house where the snow is much less deep than elsewhere, as well as before the 5 or 6 inches we are projected to get today.  












We're working to keep the pond open in one small spot, but the combination of very cold temps and deep snow is making that really difficult.  Had to buy a new heater, and even that is having trouble keeping up.  Add the fact that they say the frost is VERY deep this year, I'm not sure we will have any fish in the spring to feed the Heron.






If you take a look at the snow on top and below the bench in the gazebo you can get an idea of how deep it is everywhere.  I walked around the yard the other day to check on things and it was a major effort just to get out to the creek and back.  At least 2 feet of snow in some places. 

Summer Glory 2013

It has been a great gardening year so far, with not too much heat, not too much cold, not too much rain, but enough of all of them.  We’re a little dry now at the end of July, but that is really pretty normal. 

 

 

 

Here are some photos of how things are growing.  I’ve decided that I will have to move the shade plants that were under the willow to other spots, and move some of the sun lovers to that area.  There will be plenty to do this fall. 

		July 2013 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

A Very Different Kind of Winter From Last Year

 Note the photos below from last March 8th.  Now here are a few from yesterday in Sunnyview Gardens, and there is more snow falling right now.  I'm ready for winter to leave, but it appears it will be here for awhile.

A Long HOT Summer

It’s been really hot all summer, and very dry.  Hardly any rain in June or July.  Many of the perennials were looking pretty shabby, until a recent rainfall did some amazing things.  I have never seen anything like this.  The purple coneflowers throughout the yard began sprouting new growth from the spent seedheads.  They are actually quite beautiful. 

Pretty much every clump of them has at least one head doing this.  I’m not sure what they will do next, whether those are flowers or new plantlets.  But for now, pretty special.

More Firsts

The first flower bloomed in the yard today.  It will be quite a challenge to ensure now that there is always something in bloom until next winter.  I can’t find many other things close, but there are many more of the snowdrops to come, so perhaps others will catch up. 

There have been robins in the yard for a week or so, and the cardinals are singing spring songs.  Juncos are still here, but I bet that won’t last long.  Many flocks of geese going North, and some ducks are sizing up the creek for nesting spots.  Still waiting to hear a redwing blackbird, though others have said they are around.

The pond is now completely thawed, and the fish seem happy for the ability to swim around more.  It seems they have made it through the winter quite well. 

 

Yesterday the temperature approached 60 degrees, with more warm temps headed our way.  Today is lower, around 40, but much nicer because the wind is diminished and the sun is out. 

Next to Emerge…

Some hybrid tulips on the South side of the house. 

 

And also the hardy Amaryllis. 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, and the onions harvested from the garden last fall may not last much longer either, even though I’ve been keeping them in the basement right next to a wall.  Really wish I had a better root cellar. 

Allium is First Again

The first sprout of the spring was visible today, perhaps the earliest in some time.  Not a flower yet for sure, but a sign that some things at least have made it through this unusual winter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actually, there have been shoots of various things visible for much of the winter – the chrysanthemums, some of the sedums, some of Bill’s favorite columbines – all establish some shoots at the end of the season that stay just above the ground for the winter.  With the snowless winter we’ve had, they have been exposed to much freezing and thawing, and I hope they are all OK.