I'm baaaack!

Okay, it's been almost a YEAR since I've posted!  Pathetic, I know.  And I really don't have time to get into the details of my blogging slackerness, but we've been through a lot of changes the past year, the main one is that we moved.  Not a major move, just across town but the entire process took almost a year and it was exhausting.  The other huge factor in my VFTG neglect was my job that pays me real money.  There have been some changes and my position is WAY busier than it was a year ago.  And like I said, that job actually pays me real-life cizash, so I figured it should take priority.  

BUT, I love this blog and since I haven't been taking advantage of it I can feel myself slipping from my passion of gardening and horticulture so I am putting it back on the priorities list!  

Plus the new house brings like a bazillion gardening opportunities and decisions.  It will be the perfect platform for me to utilize this blog.  

And now it is April!  This Iowa winter was particularly harsh, so I'm so stoked that April is here and hopefully it will bring warmer weather.  There have been no signs of life in my yard yet, but I know I don't have much longer to wait.  

Happy spring everyone!  

Patty

I'm usually not one to complain about the weather too often.  I do live in Iowa where temperatures have been known to fluctuate 30 degrees in a 24 hour period.  Generally, as long the temperature is above freezing and there's no sign of snow, I keep a positive outlook.  Also, there have been so many devastating natural disasters lately that I feel like a total ass whining about rain, wind, and hail. 

But I guess here I go anyway....what is the deal with all this stormy weather?  Can't a girl get a break?  Just when the garden is looking full, lush and full of bloom - surges of hail and wind blasts through my neighborhood leaving behind sad, whimpering plants.  PLUS, I know the weeds are plotting their take-over since I haven't been able to get out and get them under control. I bet in just an hour of the sun coming out they will be able to emerge, stretch their weasely legs and begin their dominating march across my garden beds.  Then I will be left with sagging peonies, slumped over goat's beard, holey hostas and a garden full of weeds. 

Oh, and one last thing, even if the rain relinquishes and the sun peaks out, I won't be out gardening anyway.  I will be in my basement, mopping up and trying to prevent any further rain water from meandering in from the beyond-saturated earth. 

OK, that was my most bitter post to-date.  Thanks for letting me vent, I feel much better. 

I'll be back tomorrow for June's Bloom Day post - should be interesting to see what survived. 

Until then, stay dry.

Patty 

It's here, it's finally here:  SPRING!!!  Today is the first day of Spring and I couldn't be more excited.  We experienced some spring showers in the morning, but we ended up with a partly sunny day and a balmy temp of 68. 

I was able to rake out a garden bed that sits near the sidewalk and is notorious for collecting leaves and debris.   After that I inspected all the beds to take the first roll call of the season.

The hellabores are emerging, one of the first perennials of the season to bloom.

I'm thrilled to see these adorable species tulips popping up that I planted last fall.  They are a native variety that hopefully will bloom year after year. 

The bright, crayon green foliage of the surprise lily is a welcome sight every spring.

There's not much now, but I'm happy with my early arrivals.  Can't wait to see what spring has to bring in the coming weeks!