I’m seeing all kinds of indications that spring is here – my crocus have been up for weeks, the daffodils are just about to burst into bloom, tulips are coming up, and forsythia are just starting to get color. It won’t be long now until we are in full gardening mode – and I can’t wait! ~Jennifer In this issue: …
I woke up Sunday morning to a sound that sent dread through me. It sounded like some sort of mechanical device in the house was failing spectacularly. Having had so many things in need of repairing or replacing last year – the roof, water softener, sump pump, garage door opener, and kitchen sink – I was not looking forward to …
Our mailman, Mike, delivered our first shipment of seeds a few days ago (from Ann Arbor Seed Company), and I was so excited! I told him that meant it was almost spring. He said he had to beg to differ. But even though it doesn’t feel like spring to Mike as he walks his route these days, or to me …
January is, I think, the hardest month to be a gardener. I look outside daily, seeing the things I want to work on – moving the prairie smoke that I unwittingly planted in a low spot that doesn’t drain well, where the plants will never make it; finding and planting the last few native varieties I want to fill out …
I thought last year was going to be an anomaly in terms of how late I planted my garlic, but apparently, it’s become the norm. I just finally got it into the ground on Tuesday, which was actually the same date I planted it last year. I used to always plant it by October, because we were usually pretty sure …
The Farmer’s Almanac says we should expect some snow and cold conditions by mid-November. It’s hard to believe, with the kind of weather we’ve been having the last few days! However, if they’re right, then I had better get a move on in getting my gardens cleaned up and my flower bulbs and garlic planted! It’s so much nicer to …
I have no idea where the month of September went – do you? Last I looked, it was hot and humid, with no rain. The last couple of days, it has been chilly and seemingly determined to make up for the lack of rain all summer. I’m not complaining though. My gardens really need a good soaking rain like we’ve …
The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center says we have “increased probabilities of above-normal temperatures” for August, September, and October. Seems like they got August right, and although the next couple of days look to be significantly cooler (I’m loving it!), next week looks like we’ll be back up into the mid-80’s again. That’s not too terribly unusual for us …