April Spring...and Snow!

 ~ spring sights ~

How's it going with you? Are you in full bloom spring or, like us, getting ready for yet another April snow storm? Oh, more than likely, the April snow storm won't amount to much but the cold temps, high winds and pelleting snow will make it seem like a lot. My bulb garden will take a pounding but, hopefully, still be standing after the storm.

~ garden in late afternoon sunlight ~

The garden has been plowed, now disced and ready for the next step. Everything in preparation for the seeds that are soon to be sown in the greenhouse. Weather permitting, seeds will be sown this weekend and include vegetables, herbs and flowers. Blueberry bushes are ready to be put into the garden but after the ground has been given a good taste of coffee grounds and peat moss. Blueberry bushes need acidic soil and coffee grounds and peat moss are the quickest way to attain that goal.

 ~ Daniel, planting a sour red cherry tree ~

The garden lot is large enough for both garden and orchard so Daniel planted an apple tree, peach tree, a sour red cherry and a sweet black cherry tree for me. I'm taking the Virginia Master Gardner workshops and learning a lot...mainly what I've already done wrong...wry sigh...as well as what other folks have done to kill some of their plants, trees, shrubs, bushes, etc. Is it wrong of me to actually like hearing those sad tales? I can't help it; it makes me feel good knowing others have made the exact same mistakes as I and are still gardening. I think the VA Tech website is outdated but it still gives you a good idea of the program. If there are similar programs in your area, please do consider taking the classes and becoming a Master Gardner. It seems to me, these type programs are taking the place of the "ole timers" who used to pass along such information to folks who wanted to garden. Those "ole timers" are few and far between so now such information is gleaned from our agriculture colleges and universities. The International Master Gardner Conference is being held in Charleston, WV in October and promises to be a good learning experience.

~ plowed garden in late afternoon sun ~

Sam and Sadie are good helpers because they stay close yet out of the way while I'm working outside.

 ~ tag! ~

Recently I took a tree grafting class, courtesy of the Master Gardner program, and grafted half dozen apple trees and three pear trees. They are sitting in the cool, dark basement waiting for autumn and planting time. All the apple grafts are heritage apples and will be a welcome addition to my orchard.

Blessings ~ heritage apple trees ~ grafting ~ gardens ~ pear trees ~ blueberry bushes ~ flowers ~

Happy Spring,
Sandra