Sunday in the garden, 3/30/14

It was a lovely morning in the garden today and for a change, it was warm and sunny.  Although we had more than an inch of rain on Saturday, we were able to work in the beds.  

The rain caused a little compaction in the keyhole garden but we can easily add more to top it off again before planting.

 During last weekends Earn as You Learn work session, we constructed a new bed in the herb garden using a permaculture technique called hugelkulur.

 Over in the gazebo, the daffodils are in full bloom.

 The perennial garden, spring has definitely sprung!  However, I am not sure when that yucca was planted in the bed.

 The dead nettle is in full bloom too.  We obviously will need to do a bit of weeding.

 Things got a little out of control in the rain garden too.  We were battling violets all last year and today was the day to get in there and dig them out.

After about two hours on hands and knees digging away, we claimed victory.  We will have to stay on them to prevent them from colonizing again.  But you have to admit, the rain garden looks amazing!  

rainy morning in the garden-4/28/13

there is great peace in the garden on a rainy morning.  perfect for clearing away the stress of the week. 

 a few moments to stroll the beds and take in the view, will do much to rejuvenate a tired body. to see the beauty of rain drops on day lily leaves...

 the promise of beauty in an iris waiting to bloom...

the quiet knowledge of what will become of the logs sprouting turkey tails...

a slight awakening of the appetite with wood ears, velvety and plump, awaiting the journey home to the kitchen and...

the joy of finding a mother bird sitting still and keeping her eggs safe and warm...

the garden is all of these things on a rainy morning.  it is also these things on a sunny afternoon, on any morning, afternoon or evening for that matter.  but to experience it, you must visit.  you need to take the time to walk through and see what the season has to offer.  bring a weeder and some gloves, we've got work to do.

 the bluebird nest is active-mom and dad are busy tending to the first brood of the year.  take care not to linger too long or loudly near the box.  the mother robin is just behind the box in the top of the arbor, tread carefully in the arbor so that she doesn't abandon the nest.

 in dr. bost's garden, i found the largest turnips i have ever seen!  don't even think about eating them-he works with fungus and those are just some of his "patients"

 i never saw the rain gauge here-we had about 3.5" of rain in this last storm.

 we always assume that the rain garden does it's job.  well, here is proof of that.  the basin is holding some rainwater and it is slowly draining.  rainwater is best kept where it falls and i am glad to see we are making that happen.  it is also pretty clear that we need to clean this garden up-lots of weeds and sedum plants need to be removed from the basin.

 reflections on water always catch my eye

 columbines blooming in the shade garden

 the iris garden down the hill from our garden is a popular site for outdoor weddings.  these clematis plants would make a beautiful backdrop for a wedding photo.

 actually, the whole gazebo could make a beautiful wedding site

 our new sedum garden.  do you have any unusual varieties of sedum to share?  we are looking to plant as many as we can in these blocks.

 rosemary in bloom.  one of my favorite plants in the herb garden.  the bees are loving it too.  it is a great addition to many dishes.  add it to bread dough.  roast it with potatoes.  stuff it into the cavity of a whole chicken before baking it.  the list goes on and on...

personally, i like to bake with it.  for this mornings cake, i took some freshly picked rosemary and combined it with dried currants for a lovely, yeast risen cake.