Life coming up again

There are signs of life in the backyard again- finally. Easter was cold, but there were eggs in the backyard anyway. After too much candy from well-meaning loved ones (myself included), the eggs here contained stickers. The girls proceeded to make some very nice pictures that afternoon.

And then there are the flowers, which are so soul-lifting to see and smell. Hyacinths are one of my favorites, and my mother gave me some when we moved in here almost 2 years ago. I planted the line of white, maroon, and pink ones last fall, and they smell so good. Many of the daffodils were from a house-warming gift my sister gave me, and they add so much to the yard in spring. I didn't plant any new ones last fall, but I did move some of the old ones around to the front. I also planted about a hundred little species tulip bulbs, but it's cloudy today and they weren't open for photographing. Maybe another day.

I also planted two new fruit trees from Fedco this year: an Evans sour cherry, and a Reliance peach. The cherry went in the front yard so we could see its blossoms better, and so I could keep better track of any bird/insect invasions. The peach went out back by the big apple tree, on the other side from where I planted the Stark Bros 2-in-1 pear last year. The "big" apple tree got a serious pruning and now resembles some sort of modern sculpture of an open hand. I have great hopes for its production next year and the year after.


In the garden, the spinach, radishes, peas, and onions are coming up, and last fall's garlic is looking great. The strawberries survived and I hope for a good crop this year. I restrained myself from pruning the raspberries to the ground this year, and they are getting leaves now as a show of appreciation. The blueberries got Hollytone this year instead of Moo Doo. We have 33 little bushes, but only 5 produced any berries last year, and then not much from those. I'm not sure what they are lacking- water, acidic soil, more mulch?- but I'll keep trying. The handful we got were sure good.

I moved the snowmound spirea from the side entrance to the eastern fence, and put the little Elf kalmia (mountain laurel) in its place. It's a much better fit for that spot, and I might remember to water it more often. I moved some other stuff, too, but you probably don't care. The trillium has a better home, though, near the spirea.

We've had such nice warm weather this last week, but it's raining now and colder. My over-achieving tomato seedlings look ready to go out, but I don't dare. I really don't want to lose them and they're looking leggy and wan. We may still get a good frost... but, then again, Vermont is warming up a little faster this year.