Moments Unspoiled in the Garden

This morning I did one of my favorite things.  I putzed around.  Meaning, I was up before everyone else, including my nosy neighbour (you have one too? Imagine that!).  I took advantage of the time to check on all the plants, to note the Snow in Summer is beginning to bloom along with the mountain ash.  The iris is about to bloom and the clematis has grown like a foot overnight!  I decided there's no time like the present to dig out the fertilizers and feed my garden.  So I did just that.  Pots fed with 20-20-20, clematis (clematis food), rose (slow release rose food), and a 20-20-20 on other flowering shrubs.  Tip:  don't feed clematis once it has begun flowering or the plant will bloom its heart out all at once.  You want it to bloom for an extended period, right? 

Alas, as I was watering my cedars, Miss Nosy came outside to see what I was up to.  Rats, almost escaped it!

In the Spotlight

New to this blog is a page called "In the Spotlight".  This month's shrub in focus is the Mock Orange.  See the new page for information for this must-have shrub.  It has a fragrance you'll swoon over!

Heralders of Spring

Written April 2010

This morning I took a few moments on my deck to take in the glories of spring.  Spring and summer are my favorite seasons.  I love to wake early, before the others in my household, and wander on my dew laden lawn, take in the sights and sounds, checking for signs of new growth breath in deeply the fresh air.  Ahhh.  There is nothing like it.  A glorious spring morning like today's makes one glad to be alive.  I think it is the whole idea of renewal that I like.  What was once buried in the winter wonderland comes to life again.  A little green bud here, blades of grass resurrecting once more, the sound of songbirds gracing the air. 

Yesterday I was happy to see one of my favorite heralders of spring, the buds of soon to open forsythia flowers.  It is one of the first plants to bloom, following crocus and spring snow drops.  A flush of bright yellow blossoms adorns this lovely shrub late April to early May.  The variety I grow is Northern Gold which is hardy to Zone 3.  Its flower buds are hardy to -34 C!  Introduced by Agriculture Canada, it grows to 2 m by 1.5 m. 

Remember, if you must prune spring flowering shrubs do so after they finish blooming.

Massive new Hole's garden complex not for green thumbs only

Massive new Hole's garden complex not for green thumbs only

Container gardening for the creative spirit

Container gardening for the creative spirit

New trio of dandelion killers are lawn friendly

New trio of dandelion killers are lawn friendly

Oilers colours join horticultural society’s contest lineup

Oilers colours join horticultural society’s contest lineup

Edmonton yards burst into bloom

Edmonton yards burst into bloom

I Love Japanese Gardens!

There is nothing quite like a stroll through a Japanese Garden.  My first introduction to this style was in Lethridge at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden.  From the moment I set foot beyond the gate, I was in love!
http://www.nikkayuko.com/garden_glimpse.asp  is a link to a glimpse of the garden.  Take a moment to view this destination in Lethbridge, Alberta.

I was perusing You Tube and came across some lovely footage of Japanese Gardens.  I added a feature near the bottom of my blog so you too can enjoy the tranquility of this garden style.  Enjoy!!

Meditation music. Japanese garden.