The First Day of Spring

  • Post published:03/21/2016
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Pansies from Andrews Greenhouse
Pansies from Andrews Greenhouse at the Master Gardeners Spring Symposium

I felt we were ready for the first day of spring when I saw all the pansies from Andrews Greenhouse at the Western Mass Master Gardeners Spring Symposium on Saturday. Lots of vendors selling books and tools and plants! And best of all presenters teaching us all the things we wanted and needed to know about gardening.

Karen Bussoloni
Karen Bussolini, Keynote Speaker

Keynote speaker Karen Bussolini explained why native plants are so necessary to attracting bugs, and pollinators and birds to our gardens. It all has to do with the way plants and bugs, pollinators and birds evolved together. Karen mentioned that we all might want to read Douglas Tallamy’s book, Bringing Nature Home, for more information about this, delightfully written. I have written about this book here.

Artemesia lactiflora
Artemesia lactiflora

But the first day of spring dawn sunny and cool. Tempertures remained in the 30s all day, but a walk around the garden showed that last year’s plantings seem to have come through the winter. Artemesia lactiflora, as well as daffodils, irises,and daylilies are sending up shoots.

Beauty of Moscow lilac buds
Beauty of Moscow lilac buds

My walk showed that many shrubs have put out buds. Can leaves and blooms be far behind?

Hugelkulture begins
Hugelkulture begins

Son Chris was visiting for the weekend. He and my husband went out to cut the logs donated by a neighbor into ‘biscuits’ which will lay on the wet ground at the back of the yard/garden and soak up the wet. More logs coming. Ultimately the wood will be covered by soil and ready for planting. The goal is to make drier planting beds. Keep watching.

View from the window March 21, 2016
View from the window March 21, 2016

What comes after the first day of spring? Another bite of winter. It can’t last though.

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