A Blast of Cold Air

That is a cloud hanging low on the frosted field below the hill. It’s on its way across the road up towards my garden. Frost warnings were not posted but I could tell that it was getting colder by the hour, so I checked the forecast and it looked like we were in for freezing temperatures. I have pretty much held back on early planting, with the exception of about a dozen hostas. I couldn’t help myself. Last year’s plants have sprung up and I just wanted to join in. My older peony is about 15” high with buds, so I had to cover it. But the ones I planted last year will have to shiver in the mists without cover. I hope they can take it.

This empty garbage can did the trick for the big peony, and I’ll bet it won’t be the last time I’ll do it this Spring.

My Jackmanii clematis is tall enough to attach itself to the strings tied to the trellis and I used anything and everything to protect it.

I Last year I had to untangle the vine from the trellis so Dave could paint the stairs and while it did bloom nicely, it always looked like a glob that had been undone. This year I planned to train it up neatly and hope for a showy array of blooms. Gardening is all about hope.

I am afraid I didn’t have enough covers for the new hosta and they definitely got bit. However, I just bought four new ones for $2 each, because I am a hosta nut, so if these don’t make it, I will replace them. One cannot get emotionally attached to plants, she said.

Speaking of emotionally attached…I am MAKING you look at my sprouting Baptisia. Can you barely tell these are nubbins of green? I got on my sore knees to take this picture. I am so excited!  They look like nothing exciting at this point but I am looking forward to this mass of purple and green in my future. I have found two returning clusters (so far) and it thrills me so much I had to share.

I have gone over the edge.