Lake Re-entry 2020

Well, we have returned safely to the lake just in time for a spring freeze.  We got the car unloaded and things set up for the season right before the chilly rain and wind commenced.  I was able to harvest some asparagus and rhubarb, spread new soil in my raised vegetable beds and weed the perennial bed but everything else will have to wait until things warm up a bit. Even so, I had to break out the Ibuprofen and heating pad. I tried to get Paul to dig a couple holes for a replanting project but he passed until the weather improves.

 I’m taking a road trip with a friend to a newly discovered nursery this week and will probably return with a full load ready for planting.  I am planning to cut back a bit this year as I counted 22 pots of flowers and herbs last year which is way too many.  Of course, that means I have to start by “just saying no” at the nursery.  This is no small feat when your eyes are feasting on so many different colorful varieties of plants and flowers in a warm sunny green house. For whatever reason, I think I have to get everything planted the first hour after I unload it into the garage.  As such, my next challenge is to consciously choose to “pace myself” so my body doesn’t seize up again right out of the gate. 

In an effort to incrementally reduce annual planting my strategy has been to try several new perennials every year.  Some have done well and some were never seen again after the first season.   As everyone knows, the weather is hard on plants here in Zone 4 and I have discovered I have lots to learn about what works and what doesn’t in this area.  The knowledge I gleaned from taking the Master Gardener course in northern Arizona doesn’t apply here in the Midwest.   

This summer, in an effort to expand my knowledge and learn from/share with others, I have decided to write a series on popular regional plants and flowers.  I plan to talk with numerous experienced area gardeners and several species experts. Along with this, I think I will join a “Garden Club” where I am sure local knowledge and experience abound.  If you have suggestions for my garden series, please contact me at annrogg1@gmail.com.  I just love coming home to garden in our “rich black soil!”