Spring Clean Up, Phase 1

Our spring clean up is a little more extensive this year than usual because we have big plans for re-designing our front flower beds.  My dear sweet husband has been toiling in the front yard on my behalf, pulling out our least favorite things, JUNIPER BUSHES.  (Pregnancy and yard demolition don't really seem to mix very well.)  Don't get me wrong, junipers have redeeming qualities, but there are other things we would rather have in our front yard.  Boxwoods or Euonymus bushes are nice, and who can resist a few perennials and annuals flowers to brighten up the front yard.  I'll have to post my ultimate planting plan for the front yard in the next few weeks.  I can't wait until it gets a bit warmer so I can finally implement the plans I have been dreaming about.
Good-bye ugly, pokey bushes!  It has taken us a few weeks to get the demolition underway, due to the unnaturally snowy spring we are having.  I think we have tried to get bits and pieces of our spring clean-up done over the last three weeks.  We haven't had much time between our busy schedule and all of the windy and stormy weather we have been having.  We still have two more juniper bushes to remove before we can bring in dirt to build up the flower beds and get the soil amended for planting.  
This stack is of all of our yard debris from trimming our trees.  Our yard has a total of 13 trees.  Of which, 11 are fairly mature.  It took quite a while to trim give all of the trees a little spring trim.  Some of the trees got an extensive trimming because they hadn't been attended to in quite a few years.  We are also discovering that our weeping willow and cork-screw willow are messy trees.  They seem to drop small whip like branches every time the wind blows.  I guess this is the price we pay for the enjoyment of such beautiful trees.  In the end our pile of  debris was about 4 feet high.  I thought it looked like our own personal beaver dam.  Needless to say, between trimming trees and removing bushes, we took more than one trip to the dump.    
Ah, the joys of dog ownership.  We love our dog, but we love him just a little less when we are out scooping poop.  My husband and sons make a great poop scooping team.  I think we have finally gotten all of the little messes picked up from the winter.  (We weren't very diligent poop scoopers while it was cold and awful.)

Although it seems like the yard clean-up chores will never be done, I take hope in the fact that the warm weather is just around the corner.  This year is definitely the most intense because it is our first spring in this house.  I know that subsequent springs will be better.  (Not to mention, I don't plan to be pregnant again next spring.)  My husband has been a great help and support doing all of the back breaking labor and enduring my constant moaning about getting it all done in time to plant.  In years past I typically plant my annuals by the last week or so of April.  I know that it is earlier than the typical Mother's Day mark but, being the garden geek that I am, I like to get a jump on things.  Next, I plan on complaining about my flowers not growing fast enough until about July.  Just a heads up. . .

The Hope of Spring

One of my favorite things  to do this time of year is to check out all the new little plants growing at my local garden center.  It gives me hope that it really is going to get warm and nice sometime in the near future.  It's also nice to walk through the greenhouses.  It is so nice to breath in some fresh air.  Especially before it gets hot and muggy in the greenhouses.You can always enjoy the next thing blooming in the greenhouse.  Hopefully, you were able to plant a few pansies last fall.  They will be blooming soon outside too, along with crocuses, tulips and daffodils.  What a great way to start the growing season.  It isn't too late to plant pansies, but you get the best "bang for your buck" if you plant them in the fall.  Pansies like the cool weather.  They typically don't last through the hot summer months unless you live in/or plant them in a pretty mild and cool climate/spot.
Another of my favorite greenhouses (my favorite nursery has multiple greenhouses) houses all of the more tropical plants, and house plants.  It is so nice to walk through the greenhouses and see row after row of beautiful green plants.  It really does get me excited to start gardening.  It is also a great inspiration as I start dreaming and planning what I would like to plant in my garden beds this year.  Now, if it would only get warm enough to start.  I guess my trip to the nursery will have to be good enough for now.

Tree Trimming

Well, I realize most people would not be dying to start gardening in late winter.  I however, cannot wait to get my hands dirty!  It is a good thing that February and March are excellent months to trim your trees.  I spent a few hours last week preparing our trees for spring.  It was great to spend some time out in the sunshine even if it is still a bit cold.  Here are a few tips on trimming trees.  Remember, I am not an expert.  This is basic info I have gained through reading a few books and watching a great episode on 'This Old House' about tree trimming and care.  This is the link to that episode about pruning fruit trees, but similar rules apply to regular trees.  (You may need to copy this link into your browser.)

  http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1137732994/bclid1137752292/bctid1138096819

Tree Trimming Tips

1.  Trim your trees during late winter, before spring buds start to appear.  This minimizes shock to the tree, and helps the tree to distribute it's growing energy to the fruit, and leaves.

2.  Trim branches that rub against each other.  The rubbing will damage the bark and create 'open sores' that can collect bugs and other things that can damage the tree.

3.  Open up the center of the tree by trimming away smaller branches.  This promotes good circulation for the tree.

4.  DO NOT cut a limb in the middle of the branch.  Make your cuts at the 'joints' of the branches.

5.  DO NOT trim more that 1/3 of the tree away each year.

I know many people don't trim their trees on a yearly basis.  My trees don't always need a full overhaul every winter.  However, I have noticed that a little trimming, (even if I just trim away a few of the smaller interior branches to improve air circulation,)  that my trees do better, and grow bigger and more full each year.  Besides, it gives me something to do while I am dreaming about all of the flowers I want to plant when it gets warmer.  Ah, spring!  Happy trimming!!!