Saturday, May 11, 2019

It's Gardening Season!

I'm struggling to find enough time to blog these days, partly because it's gardening season!  I know it's a good two weeks too early for frost sensitive plants here, but there's lots we need to do with the landscaping - planting a tree or three as well as some shrubs.  And it's time to plan for planters to go on the deck or by the front door (keeping in mind the bright red flowers that Hummingbirds like).

We were lucky to have the help of a crew of friends to do all the heavy digging, whilr I sat on the deck and supervised.  The result was a very nice start on our plan for this tiny property.  After ten years on 3 acres, this urban lot is pretty tiny.

For this property we're choosing exactly what plants we want to try, including some beautiful Rhododendrons.  At the northern edge of their range certainly, but we're going to give them a chance and see if they survive. 

A flowering shrub that we know will thrive and brighten up every spring is the Forsythia, two of them to create a nice large patch.  A Magnolia, a Redbud and some ferns completed the mornings work.

There is of course the added pleasure of sourcing these plants out in local nurseries, so we drive around and see what's available.  Today we came home with more plants - we'll be busy for several weeks!

21 comments:

  1. Just wanted to let you know that the marsh marigolds are out in full splendor in the valley. Went for a walk today with some of our Kimberley Forest Friends and ran into 10000 of our "other" friends...blackflies, primarily male as they weren't biting yet.

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  2. Looks like a good start on your garden with the help of some good friends. :)

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  3. This all sounds like so much fun!

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  4. Enjoy your flowering shrubs. I'm surprised magnolia and redbud will grow up where you are, we're quite a ways south of you and are just at the northern edge of redbud's natural range -- it must be the effect of the lake around your peninsula.

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  5. You indeed have been a busy fellow. Our white Magnolia, Rhododendrons, and Forsythia are all blooming at the moment. Always an exciting time of year planning on what goes where and where goes what when. Your smaller and more manageable property came at just the right time for you. Now everything is close by and you are able to supervise and be a part of the landscaping and planting. I can see those trips to the gardening centers as an enjoyable outing as well. Oh and when your planting keep in mind.....green side up eh:))

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  6. We've got Rhododendrons blooming at the moment, they are providing some good colour over Autumn.

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  7. We too ,have shrunk our section size from 3 acres to 805 metres square. Well, it is an oblong section, and takes a huge adjustment to have close neighbours. Rhodos, none here, but hundreds of bulbs popping up already. Your colours are so bright and cheerful/

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  8. Doing what you love outside in the fresh air playing in the garden going to look awesome.

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  9. Looking very nice, and happy birthday Sunday. You share the day with my Om.

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  10. It is great that you can still supervise the garden activity watching others get their hands in the dirt. I would love a bright yellow bush so maybe I need to look for a Forsythia shrub as well. My daffodils will soon be done. The property is the perfect size so Mrs. F.G. doesn't have too much to look after and you can both enjoy the splendor of the seasons.

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  11. I would love some forsythia but no more room in the front yard with the deer fence in place and the back is the trail for deer who ate my first forsythia all the way down!

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  12. Glad to hear that you've got a good crew to help you fulfill your plans. Now all you need is the weather and plants to co-operate.

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  13. Down this way...most of my gardening is pulling out an abundance of volunteers. Green, green, everywhere. Including a patch of St Augustine here and there.

    :)

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  14. So pleased you have a good crew to help you.
    Looks like a very good start has been made on your garden.

    All the best Jan

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  15. Good supervision is important for any project to succeed.

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  16. I am happy to hear you are so busy that you are finding time to blog difficult. I know how that goes! Love the fine garden you are creating there. :-)

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  17. it is wonderful to be too busy to blog, especially when gardening is whats keeping you busy!! it looks like you are off to a great start, i'm glad you have happy helpers!!!

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  18. It is nice to see the friends coming in and hoping out. The one time job will probably help out for the who summer.

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  19. Nice choices! How wonderful that you had some help!

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