I'm feeling ready to really get the garden in gear this year. I've learned that low maintenance is where I've gotta go; I also need to eradicate the weeds in a more effective fashion!
Several weeks ago, I planted some yellow and white primroses (purchased at Bi-Mart for about 70 cents a piece) in front of the brick planter in the front yard; they seem to be doing well. I planted the remainders in some pots on the porch (also doing well) and in the back yard, under the trees. The latter seem a little less happy. I'm unsure whether they are getting too much sun, or if hubby gushed them with a bunch of water. (They do have a lot of mud on them.) All had to be surrounded by snail bait.
Around this time, I also gave 5/8 of a cup of Epson salts to each rose bush, mulching it in with the soil and re-creating a little well for each rose. The roses were pruned back to as close as knee level as possible, but still atop a bud.
I transplanted a Spike plant from our wedding urn to the backyard, along the fence, and plan to transplant it's mate as soon as I have some potting soil and a trellis for the ivy in the pot to grow on.
Yesterday, I transplanted the Rhodie that was between our driveway and the neighbor's yard; I've been meaning to do this since we moved in, because there just wasn't enough room for the poor thing to grow. It took a beating this winter, but Dad assures me it wasn't because of the snow. The leaves are brown along the edges, and I cut off some dead branches. It's quite straggly, but I hope it will enjoy it's new location in the back yard, along the fence. As dad instructed, I raked through the roots (with my fingers) and planted it with some fresh Miracle Grow potting soil. Now I just have to remember to water it daily. The Rhodie Dad gave us is doing okay, although not thriving; it looks like a caterpillar has been eating it.
I also planted some red Caladiums in the back yard ($2.72 for 6 at Walmart), along with several Hostas ("Undulata Medio Variegata, Sieboldiana, and Golden Tiara; purchased a Bi-Mart for less than $2 a piece). I also planted some Bleeding Hearts (Old Fashioned White, and Old Fashioned Pink; $3.93 a piece at Walmart).
I dug up some Iris that had appeared mysteriously in the back yard and replanted them in the Iris bed. I marked some mysteriously appearing Daffodils in the front yard, so that I can transplant them, also.
In the front yard, I planted two kinds of Dahlias (Arabian Night and Daytona; $4.88 for 3 bulbs a piece at Walmart) in the front bed and near the hose.
Currently blooming: Daffodils, primroses, crocus, evergreen clemantis, and hyacinths.
