Here we are at the beginning of summer already. I am not sure just where spring went, but May was nicer than I remember having for quite a few years, even if we did have a lot of rain in April. May brought very little rain, lots of warm, sunny days, and the wind was less than our north winds normally get to be this time of year, although they have certainly picked up in June. But all that nice May and early June weather allowed me to get in the garden most every afternoon to do my “spring cleaning.”
First, I cleaned my potting shed. After throwing everything in there but the kitchen sink, it was a jumble of tools, pots, and recyclables. Clearing things out and starting again was crucial. Three piles were started: things to keep, things to give away, and things to throw away. I found tools I thought were long-lost and a new collection of gardening gloves that will see me through the summer. I cleaned and re-oiled the moveable parts of my shears, pruning saws, and loppers as well as the shovels and hand tools. There is such satisfaction in a clean potting shed!
The little bittercress has been pulled for now, although I know it will return in a couple of weeks. At least they are easy to pull. I still wage a constant battle with the wild morning glories (bindweed) and they started early this year, too. I try to pull them as early as I see them, but unless they are in a place where I can actually dig out the roots, pulling doesn’t slow them down one bit. They are very sneaky plants and seem to grow best when they can root under a thick bush. I have one that climbs through a large heather onto a rhodie so while I can reach the stems and leaves, I would have to crawl under the heather. My crawling days are over so I will make do with pulling.
The bindweed isn’t the only sneaky plant in my garden. Those good old buttercups have set up camp in a patch of hardy geranium. The leaves are very similar on both plants so I don’t notice the buttercup until I have a tall yellow flower peaking above the pink geraniums. I think it is a defense mechanism for the weeds and it works very well.
Whatever the weed, I find I must be conscientious and keep on top of them all summer and into the fall. Its me against them so I must be diligent … and ruthless.
And weren’t the rhodies beautiful this year? They were a bit late, but seemed to be thriving everywhere I looked throughout the county, not minding the cold and snow earlier this year. But now the rhodies and azaleas are done blooming in my yard, I will spread a cup or two (depending on the size of the shrub) of rhododendron/azalea food around the base to give them some nourishment while they are forming blooms for next spring. They like acidic soil and the specialty rhodie food is just right for them. Regular plant food isn’t formulated for these plants.
I also got out the patio furniture and garden art and cleaned them off from the dust of winter. A fresh coat of paint on the Adirondack chairs did wonders for sprucing up the patio. I like to find new places each year for the garden art just to keep things fresh. Most of my art is in the shape of an orb, so while they are different colors and made of different materials, they keep the theme going. Of course, I also have my collection of hedgehogs that have to go out. I hide them under leaves of plants and in nooks and crannies so the grandchildren can hunt for them.
I had a couple of places in my garden this year that needed a little revitalization. Areas that had been on the decline for a few years and I had just never gotten around to doing anything about them. But this year it was on the top of my spring to-do list. Things that make the list are more likely to be accomplished.
One area is in deep shade but the soil is good. So I found some ferns to place there, making a “Fern Grotto” of sorts. They are small ferns right now, but most will get to be 12” or more in height. I have a few Dryopteris (aka wood fern) which is one of the largest genus of ferns and includes male ferns, autumn ferns and shield ferns. I also put in a couple of holly ferns and native deer ferns. There are lots of varieties and several other genuses of ferns which means there will be a fern for everyone’s taste. Some prefer dry shade while others like more moist shade, so do some research before you go shopping and know what soil you have in your garden. In any case, if you have shade it will only be improved with a fern or two. The delicate fronds look especially nice when paired with a broad-leafed plant. A fern/hosta combination is my favorite, but Heuchera and Bergenia are good in groupings, too. Bergenia need a little more sun than hostas, but when planted with ferns that can take a little sun, it is a beautiful effect.
I feel good about the beginning of summer in a cleaned-up garden. Oh, I know there will be lots to do over the next months but it will be things that will only take a little while each day to keep ahead of the weeds. And then I can get my iced tea and relax with a good book. I deserve it!
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