Spring Yet?

We've had a long, wintry couple of weeks here, that only in the past few days have begun to moderate into more Spring-like weather, allowing for activities like cutting up dead wood (me) and reading outside (Carrie).

I still haven't uncovered the gardens, although when I peek under the straw I am seeing more and more perennials beginning their thrust. Not so much in the new garden in front (dubbed the 'Escher Bed' for reasons I'll explain some day).



I planted dozens and dozens of tulips and other bulbs in here last fall, and so far nothing. I do seem to have some kind of tulip hex on me. I've planted many, many that over the past two to three years that just haven't come up. I don't know if it's the cold or critters or what. I know I made sure to plant them deep enough last fall. We shall see.

One exciting thing on the gardening front: the dahlias I ordered from Swan Island Dahlias arrived this week; about a month early, but at least they're ready here in their little peaty bag for that day in mid-May when they go in. I've never grown dahlias before, and I hope they do well. I ordered seven different types, including one for a container.

The big, looming project is what to do with the prairie: mow or fire? Large parts of it I'm leery of burning because of septic drain field, invisible fence wires and phone wires just below the ground. Actually they say a combination of burning and mowing is best anyway. I'm just not looking forward to moving all of that mowed material (you're supposed to remove everything you mow).