Still Weirded Out

Oh, I'll be ok...I'm just feeling a bit like I fell down a rabbit hole (Alice in Wonderland has nothing on me) by this very early spring and nearly non-existent past winter.

Carl and I have been running in circles already, fretting about all the stuff that needs doing.  But then we catch our breath just a little and remember it's only March and not May.  There might just be enough time to get some pressing stuff done in time for this coming gardening season's activities.

Two weekends ago, Joel was home and helped us put up the greenhouse. Since I'm always complainin' there's so much work to do, why don't we leave it up all the time?  Well, because it's not the most attractive structure in the entire world, that's why and because it's in the driveway for all to see.  We used to put it behind the garage, but that was in the days before my wash-lines were moved to the same spot.  (I know how silly that sounds--- wash-lines?? but hey, I have no dryer, once again, by choice, so cut me some slack, ha.)  The greenhouse is typically in place from mid-March until the first week in June and then it is all packed up and put back in the shed. 

We do have 98 acres here and I suppose we could find a spot for the structure to sit permanently, but then there would be the need for running hoses and electricity all over creation, so, for now, we'll just settle for a nomadic greenhouse. My flower seeds arrived on Monday, so I'll write about my adventures in the greenhouse soon.

This past weekend Carl and I were on our own.  Carl has gone back to work on the stone walls down in the Formal Garden since the frost is out of the ground now and it's rather dry down there.  I went and fetched the tractor from my mother's shed and hauled up rocks for him on pallets from the Back Eight until he took over because he 'knew what rocks he wanted'.   He's very picky, but I'm not complaining.  (Much.)

In the picture below, here we are in the Formal Garden--on either side of the six crab apple trees  planted down there are two calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' grass clumps.  You can just see them starting to green up.  I adore good ol' Karl Foerster for his well-behaved presence in the garden.  There's a total of 24 clumps this size down in this garden, all from one original plant purchased years ago and it's time to split them again. 

We were running around wondering where we could use them to their best advantage but haven't thought of anything just yet so maybe they will be spending another year in their current home.  We were on a garden tour years ago and the gardeners used a row of ornamental grasses in the middle of their lawn (much like our River Bed of annuals) and it was stunning.  If we're going to do something with them, it would be best to move and divide the clumps now before they grow a lot more.  We never thought we'd have to worry about March being too late in the season, though!

One thing that surprised both of us was the fact we lost some trees this past winter.  Of all things, four Dwarf Alberta Spruces and so far, two Mugho Pines....both of which are hardy to at least -25 or more. 

We were completely stumped by why we lost these two trees which are over ten years old.  There is no wind in this area and they have never winter-burned due to the sheltered location.   Just beyond these two dead trees are three more healthy specimens and then we have six more of them down by the dome itself which were planted about fifteen years ago...
.

I know Dwarf Alberta Spruces are not everyone's cup of tea due to their being so common and their problems with red spider mites and tendency to winter burn, but they were cheap when we planted them and they do make a statement when they're having a good year.  It's just a shame to lose them after growing them from a 6" tall tree.  These by the dome are over 6' tall now.

In this picture, you can see that the Dwarf Alberta Spruce survived the winter just fine, but the Mugho Pines are dead and dying. 

I had some dwarf Albertas planted at my mother's house and hers have died also.  Every needle is brown.  I wonder if it's because of the warm winter we had.  Is it possible the trees never really went dormant and then when the ground did freeze, they died due to lack of moisture?  I guess it's just one of those mysteries we'll never know the answer to.  It's just weird to lose trees rated to Zone 3 and below when we had such a mild winter.

Another casualty to the shrub list was this poor Bird's Nest Spruce.  There is a teeny, tiny bit of green left right in the middle, but I don't have high hopes for this poor shrub, either.  Strange, isn't it?  Who would think a winter could be too warm?

 Some of the newer shrubs we planted last summer have come through with flying colors.  I cannot for the life of me remember the name of this shrub....it has yellow and green leaves, but it was one I had my doubts about.  When I think of it, I'll let you know (ah, advancing age!).....but I was amazed to see it had pulled through.  At least, as long as we don't go way below zero again after it has completely leafed out!

We have some weddings coming again this summer with a ceremony being planned here, so we have to get the Formal Garden done for certain.

Despite the warm winter, the floor in the Dome has heaved up again with the frost, so we have to fix it.  Carl was staring at the job on Sunday when I snapped this picture.  He was not amused.  We'll have to pull up all the pavers and re-level the floor out again.  It's not a difficult job, really, just time-consuming and one more thing on the List. 

Over the winter, I let the sedums and grasses stand for Winter Interest, but now winter is done and gone and the sedums are growing like crazy, so I finally got my act together on Sunday and cleaned out the Escarpment Bed.  Carl went out and brought up some pine needle mulch from the Back Eight, so we have one bed done.  (In March?  I'm telling you, this is bizarre.)

Ann stopped in on Sunday to see if she could lend us a hand or two.  As always, of course we found something for her to do.  Actually, she suggested it......would it be alright with us if she skimmed the Quarry Pond? 

Would it be alright???  Ah, yes, it would be Fantastic!!  The pond was in need of drastic help.

Soon Ann was seated in a kayak and using one of our canoes as a 'bucket, she was scooping up the winter's debris of floating leaves and other gunk.  This job took her a few hours; we're so Fortunate to have her help.

When Ann was done, we had a sparkly pond surface. 

We ended the night with a bonfire of all the debris I had collected during the day.

The temperature dropped very quickly on Sunday night; we were working in our shirtsleeves all day but by early evening, out came the winter coats.   The dried ornamental grasses burn rapidly and make a good fire starter for damp campfire wood.

I'm still amazed at how many flowers are open in March.  This is truly a record.  I almost hate to see them so soon since it means they'll be gone before I know it.

I guess all we can do is enjoy what we have, right?

Carpe Diem.