Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Signs of Spring: New Garden Toys and Peepers

My Easter Gifts from H.H.
 We heard a chorus of spring peepers as we passed wetlands about a mile from our house (as the crow flies) on our way home last night. The pond on Astolat Road was still silent -- it is at a higher elevation and winter lasts longer here. I suspect it will be a while before there is any frog activity around our own pond. But those peepers told me spring is just around the corner at last. As the National Geographic says  (click here --National Geographic) "Spring peepers are to the amphibian world what American robins are to the bird world." These tiny, tiny frogs make mating calls like the sound of young chickens but louder. They have large toe pads for climbing. I would love to photograph one, but that hasn't been possible yet.

Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer from Wilkipedia
According to the Eastern Phenology blog "On March 27, 2012, there were several reports of the first of the season phoebes in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania". While we have many, many birds at our feeder, with several of them checking out H.H.'s bird houses, we still haven't seen phoebes. But I have my camera at the ready! Last year, at this time, I recorded a large bullfrog in my garden pond, yellow goldfinch at the feeders, and a variety of spring flowers. Check out my March 2012 garden by clicking here to see what a difference a year made.

This weekend, however, was warm enough to work outside -- hurray! I was able to try the scoot my daughter gave me for my birthday -- H.H. put it together last week. This thoughtful gift is so.o.o appropriate now, because when I get down to garden I have difficulty getting up again, and my old, old knees scream in protest.



 The big, tractor seat perfectly accommodates my large rear and adjusts up and down, so I can comfortably have my feet on the ground. H.H. took my picture and said "You'll look good on a Jazzy." Thanks! I hope I don't need a power chair any time soon!



 I began by tidying the picket fence border. I didn't cut down the perennials last fall, so it took a while. I am going to widen this border this year. When I teach garden design, I tell my students to make borders along fences the same width as the height of the fence to achieve a balanced look. It is time I began practicing what I preach.



 The crocuses under the crabapple tree couldn't be seen because the grass had grown up around them. First I limbed up the tree a little. I weeded, gave all my bulbs a bone-meal treat, and added mulch to this bed. When you fertilize you should always water, so I was able to try out my new, purple watering can.



 What a difference!









Yes, spring is here at last, and I am one happy gardener.

Enjoy the new season, however late in your garden!

Pamela x



  
Daffodil 'Tete-a-Tete'


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17 comments:

  1. So nice your Spring has arrived... ours has her toe in the soil and the buds are just beginning to burst. Isn't it wonderful to be outworking the gardens again?

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  2. I hope to hear those peepers soon, maybe this weekend when it finally warms up! Love your new toy. I have a old, smaller rolling seat, I think it's too low for me now. Yours looks much better.

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  3. That scoot is amazing - I've never seen anything like it for gardening.

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  4. When I was in St. Lucia, they had peepers that sang nightly. I never even saw one of them even though they were in the shrubs in the garden. I never saw a Jazzy before, but the seat looks like it is comfy. Nice present.

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  5. I love your little scoot! It looks so useful - and fun, too! Your crocuses are beautiful. How nice to get gardening gifts for Easter! I've never seen a purple watering can - it's adorable!

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  6. Hi Pam...yes, I think spring has finally "sprung". We are expecting much warmer temps for the next 10 days. I have thought about buying that exact "scoot". How do you like it? Is it low enough for you to bend down and weed? Currently I'm using something called a "Lawnbuddy", but it's plastic and I'm afraid I'm going to crush it since I've put on weight. :-(

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  7. Christy -- I love my new scoot. It's not too low to weed, but many of my beds are raised a little. I don't know if I would have spent that much money myself, but it was a gift from my daughter. Thanks for visiting and commenting! P. x

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  8. It looks as though spring is finally here in the UK too, we've actually seen the sun over the last few days, though it's still very cold. My crocuses have bloomed at last, I thought they were never going to flower. The scoot is brilliant, I could do with one of those myself.

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  9. Interesting contraption, not seen one of those before. Love the watering can, nice shape and purple is my fave colour.

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  10. Love the colour of the watering can,so cheerful.Yes I think our spring is trying it just is going to be a cold one.Your scoop looks very interesting.

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  11. I love your garden scooter!Glad you were finally able to get outside. I have a lot of weeding to do, and I think it's going to be nice out this weekend, so I'll have no excuse for putting that off anymore. I'm looking forward to seeing your garden this year!

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  12. Something has clicked into place. Your spring peepers and? After 20 mm of rain, the first proper winter rain, our 4 o'clock frogs have started chirping. Tiny reed frogs that live happily in Apple and Plum Creeks.

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  13. Cute scooter!! :-) Let's hear it for warmer temps tomorrow and next week. -- Mary Anne

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  14. What a happy post! new tools and fair weather to use them in. That seat looks great, like the wheels on it.

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  15. So glad to see you are out in the garden Pam. My gardening was delayed yet again by another foot of snow and frigid cold this week...but we reached the mid 50s today and most of it melted...but the best thing was the first peepers were heard...we have forever wild area behind us and the peepers were deafening. I love it! No gardening yet but I have hopes for this weekend.

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  16. A thoughtful present.

    I have now added another job to my to-do list - widen beds. Now I know why they look wrong.

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  17. Yay! Spring has sprung for you too..
    Can't wait to check back to see how your veggies are doing.

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