The Gardening Bug

Day 169: Is there a 12-step program for gardeners? I have the gardening bug, big-time. It seems like I can't go to town without something following me home. Today I laid in a new bark bed and planted it with two prostrate junipers (foreground). Two blue junipers will fill in empty spots beside the driveway, and the Periwinkle will sprawl in the corner with my "smiley-face" boulder (a natural crack makes the rock look like it's grinning). Then I must be counselled to patience as I wait for the hardy fuchsias to arrive at the nursery. I have a spot for just one more...or maybe two (she said with a wink).

Making More Work

Day 183: I had to go to town today and wanted to pick up some more bark mulch for the garden, but wound up with a little extra time on my hands before an appointment. What happened next was as certain as death and taxes: I came out of the garden store with a full cart. My acquisitions included two more Blue Star Junipers, two "Furzey" Heathers, a Vinca minor, and two sedums and a stonecrop (a taller plant) which will be the centerpiece of the strawberry jar, presently under conversion to a succulent garden. This phenomenon is known as "making more work for myself," something I do all too frequently when planting season rolls around. With snow sprinkled on the hills above the house like powdered sugar on gingerbread, I successfully resisted the temptations offered by zonal geraniums and calibrachoa. Neither is frost-hardy. However, I did fall for the lure of a wrought-iron trellis which barely fit in my car.

Bitten By The Gardening Bug

Day 181: Over the last two days, I have planted juniper tams, dug and transplanted a small fig tree, relocated the tomato pot (sunk to its waist in soil), sunk a second pot into which I moved a blueberry bush, relocated two of five horse chestnut trees to their permanent locations, stretched over 100 feet of weed barrier fabric, spread five bags of bark mulch, weeded the raspberries and laid weed barrier around them, and in all, have shovelled what surely must have been at least two 15-yard dump truck loads of dirt (I exaggerate, but my back and arms don't believe it) and busted enough sod that it's a wonder I have any grass left (but I do, and it needs mowing). The catch? I'm probably less than halfway done with the chores I've outlined for the yard and garden this year. Do I have a showplace yard? Not hardly! I love to work the soil, but I'm not much on keeping up appearances. There are no Joneses to keep up with, but if there were, I have the best crop of dandelions in the neighborhood.