The first day of spring is now less than two weeks away. Hallelujah!
Temperatures late last week and early this week were consistently in the 60s and 70s, which allowed me to get outside and do a little spring cleaning. Or more precisely, a little late winter cleaning. However, colder temperatures and the possibility of two feet (!) of snow looms ominously in the forecast later this week.
But that is the nature of spring, for spring is a big tease. One day the skies are clear and the temps are in the 60s, the next you’re freezing your ass off while digging out from a foot of heavy wet snow. But that’s alright, for the days are longer and when the sun is shining its light warms the body and soul, even on days that are cool and windy.
No more procrastinating, it’s time to clean up the garden
As I mentioned above, the weather was conducive for cleaning out the deadwood from last years garden. I don’t clean my garden up in the fall for a couple of reason. One, I like to leave the plants so as they can provide a little bit of winter interest. I would much rather look at the remnants of last year’s garden than vast swaths of bare ground.
Two, because the seed-heads of many of the flowers provide a food source for the birds that don’t migrate, and the stalks and faded leaves are excellent safe havens for the offspring of the “good” insects such as ladybugs and masonry bees.
Three, because never do today what you can put off for 4 or 5 months!
Some before and after pictures:
The cleanup of the long border is going to be delayed for awhile until the snow melts.
There isn’t really a whole lot to say about the cleanup itself. It was a mess, now it isn’t. Oh, and a lot of back and hamstring pain for my efforts.
However, one of the fun (?) aspects of cleaning out the old remnants of last year’s garden is hunting and finding signs of life for this year’s garden.
In other news, a pain in the ass announces his return
Another sign of spring’s impending arrival is the return of the woodpecker Lothario who likes to use my chimney cap as an avian version of Tinder. It’s not even spring yet and he’s already waking us up at ungodly hours on the weekends.
Jerk.
