Melting, Flooding and Maybe Spring

  • Post published:02/28/2017
  • Post comments:6 Comments
February 25, 2016
February 25, 2016

The melting season with its flooding  is upon us. A year ago, three months after we actually moved into our new house, the back yard looked like this after milder temperatures, snow melt and rain. We had known that the backyard had a big ‘wet spot’ but we didn’t expect this.

February 25, 2017
February 25, 2017

One year later and the flooding isn’t as bad. It is possible to see the progress made in the increasing size of the beds, and the creation of our Hugel at the rear of the lot that is a part of our flooding abatement/no-need-for- irrigation project.  The temperature  has been mild and was 60 degrees on the 25th so the snow that had piled up was decreasing rapidly, helped by a thunderstorm with heavy rain early in the morning.

View from the window on February 28, 2017
View from the window on February 28, 2017

Still more melting and on this last day of February when the temperature is again 60 degrees, it feels like spring. In these days of worry about global warning that seems a mixed blessing. On the other hand, this is New England where the weather is never dependable; winter may still give us a few bites.  And yet – there are tiny daylily shoots coming up in the hellstrip.

This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. hairytoegardener

    Wow, you’ve come a long way. Can’t wait to see the beds when spring is in full swing.

  2. Lisa Greenbow

    I am sure you are thrilled with this vast improvement in your garden’s drainage. It looks like a different garden. Your hard work has paid off. I would have felt despair if I had seen my garden so drowned. I have a place in the back garden that does this when we get 4-6″ of rain at one time. It drains away fast thankfully.

  3. judithharper

    My indoor ‘garden room’ gives me hope that my yard will survive its neglect from last year. Yours will be beautiful with all the care that you give it. I think I would despair looking at the ‘lake’ that you faced but you have given it such grace and caring!

  4. Christina

    Hi Commonweeder, thanks for leaving a comment on my blog, that is how I found yours!
    Gosh, that first photo with that flooded backyard looks shocking, but I am so glad that it isn’t nearly as bad this year and by Feb 28th you are almost dry.
    You are writing a really nice blog and I am interested to follow the development of a garden located in New England, a climate so different from Southern California, where I live.
    Hopefully until soon,
    Warm regards,
    Christina

  5. marjorie

    Looking great Pat! What a beautiful difference from just last year. Congratulations! I Just took a look at my garden, buds a-popping. We’ll see what happens next.

  6. Pat

    hairytoe – We are happy to see the progress – and hope for more.
    Lisa – Good drainage is a blessing. We have been told there is an underground stream that runs most of the length of our street – and indeed their are other wet gardens. Some have taken a different approach and put in lots of paving. Not us!
    Judith – I am eager for spring – when I will be looking for more water loving plants.
    Marjie- I’ve been checking bud swell on my river birch and shrubs. This is an exciting time.

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