I took this beautiful picture of a Redbud branch at Meeks Park.  It is the only Redbud that I've seen showing color.  

 

Our Redbud trees were in full bud a few weeks ago, but then we had two days of 14 degrees.  All the buds were burned by the cold.  So, no redbuds at our house, but  there are redbuds blooming at the park.  So glad.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

The Blood root is coming up.  They are one of the first to show their faces in the Spring.

 

We saw lots of them yesterday at Meeks Park.  There are some down on the Creekside Trail too.  We'll be looking for them next time on the trail.

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

Photo credit:  Wikipedia

 

I love this picture of a male Eastern Bluebird.  Thought you would too.

 

It's time to start checking in on the Bluebirds in Yorktown.  There is a Wild Birds Unlimited Store there that has Angelcams inside a couple bluebird nest boxes.  

 

You can go to  https://wildbirds-1.click2stream.com/  to see inside one of the boxes.  And, go to  https://wbu-yorktown.click2stream.com/  to see inside the other one.  They are on slightly different schedules.  On Sunday I saw three blue eggs in one nest, and Momma Bluebird on the other one.  Go look; it is fascinating.

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

These are not Bluets, but they are definitely blue.  Sky blue.  (I guess that's why I am tempted to call them Bluets.)  But Bluets are purple and sometimes white.  

 

This weed is Corn Speedwell, botanically Veronica arvensis, not even related to Bluets.  It is often found in waste places, open fields, and pastures.  There is a huge patch of it in Meeks Park on the hillside across from the Sorghum Festival site.  You can see it from the bridge.

 

I love seeing it in bloom, reminding us that Spring is here!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I just noticed the Lovage is coming up.  I planted seeds in a pot seven or eight years ago, and it comes up every spring.  I haven't checked, but I bet the roots are way into the ground by now.  I just leave it in the same spot, and it does what it does.  I love it.

 

It gets really big, about 4-6 feet tall, and we use it all summer and into the fall.  It smells and tastes a lot like celery, only richer, more complex.  I don't know how to describe it adequately, except to say it has kind of a smoky celery taste.  Anyway, I love adding it fresh into salads of all kinds, and cooking it into soups.  It is really delicious.  Lovage is related to celery, carrots, and parsley, and it is pretty enough to plant in your front flower bed.  Just put it to the back, because it gets tall.

 

You can get seeds from  https://sowtrueseed.com/ or  https://www.superseeds.com/  and, probably other seed catalogs too.  I've never seen them at Home Depot or WalMart, even with the other herb seeds.

 

Anyway, catalog shopping for seeds is so easy.  They have good pictures, and great descriptions, and some catalogs like Sow True Seed even give you information on planting and seed saving.  I have learned a lot form my seed catalogs.  Not bad for FREE.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

Arugula is coming up.  

 

I seeded the bed the beginning of March, then we had those two cold days, so I assumed they got zapped along with lots of other things.  So, to be safe, I threw out more seeds.  I think I may have overseeded the bed.

 

Oh well.  Can't have too much arugula.  Just ask my sister, Linda.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Hey, Mark!!   We saw this Tiger Swallowtail flirting around your Weeping Cherry Tree when we walked the loop yesterday.  

 

The Cherry tree got a little brown during that last cold snap, but it's starting to bloom again, and the butterflies love it!!!

 

We have seen quite a few Tiger Swallowtails over the last few days.  Let's me know that Spring is here!!  YAY!!!

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

 A couple years ago we plugged mushroom spores into a white oak tree that had fallen down in a November storm.  Well, lookie what we have now:  shiitake mushrooms, ready to cook.  

 

The whole process was quite interesting, and we plugged several logs.  They have been living in the wood pile on the north side of the house since then.  No sun, but they do get rained on.  Now this one is starting to "fruit."  So exciting!!!

 

Time to make a potpie. 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

We were afraid that the Bradford Pears got burned by the cold last week, but they are blooming beautifully, right on schedule.

 

I hope your world is beautiful too, now that it is officially Spring.

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

We planted seeds on March 2nd.  Look at them now!!!  The cool weather crops are almost ready to be put into individual cell packs.  Right now they are still living in the basement, because it's too cool for them outside.  

 

The tomatoes and peppers and lemongrass are coming up too, but they really want 70 degrees to germinate.  So we keep them all inside with a heat lamp under the warm season plants.

 

Last year we had such good luck with growing from seeds, we may never buy garden plants again.  

 

It is so exciting to do it all from seeds.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!