Spring Cleanup

   Tomorrow is March 1st, and here in St Louis the weather is starting to warm up.  Early spring flowers are pushing their heads above ground.  This is the point in time that I start seriously thinking about what I'd like to do in my garden. 

This year is different from the last couple of years in several ways. I have a job, so there is some money to spend. I'm working second shift, so I have time during the daylight hours to work in my yard. Also, my doctor and I have found a drug that is doing wonders for my arthritis, leaving me with a freedom of movement I haven't really had for a while.

All this bodes well for my garden plans. The first order of business is a basic clean up. Lots of leaves and twigs and general trash have collected in the corners. My goal for the first week of March is to get all that cleaned up.

Naturally, this early in the season, my plans are easily waylaid by the weather.  Since I don't "do" cold, nasty weather, I have some guidelines for "outdoor" weather: 45 degrees or higher and sunny, 55 degrees or higher if it's overcast, wind speeds of less than 20mph. 



Next time I'll talk about moving the rose garden out of the travel path of the dogs!

Welcome To My Plot

     We bought this house almost three years ago.  The previous owner was an avid gardener, but was in his eighties when he died. The result of many years of careful cultivation is extremely fertile soil. the result of a couple of years of neglect whle he was dying and while the place was for sale was some serious overgrowth everywhere.  We've spent a couple of years eimply trying to fight back the jungle, and I'm starting to see progress.  This year I hope to start placing my mark more firmly upon the property.

     This photo was apparently taken while the previous owner was still alive.  As you can see there are a lot of trees and bushes, many of which could use a trim. Imagine it two year later...That's what I was starting with.
    I'm not really an evergreen sort of girl, so I'm slowly removing many of the bushes - with the help of my husband and his trusty chain saw. (Thanks, Baby!)  I plan to replace them with perennials and flowering shrubs, and maybe a small, decorative tree or two. 

How Does My Garden Grow?

It's nearly March. I can hear birds outside the window. the grass is starting to green up and some of the trees are starting to swell at the branch tips.  Hyacinthe and daffodils are putting up green shoots, and I saw some crocuses in bloom yesterday.  It's time to start thinking about my own patch of dirt. I'll chronicle my activities here in both words and photos. Come along with me on my journey through the Illinois flora.

Sue