Wednesday, April 14, 2010

THE SPRING YARD

Come April, we gardeners pull on our overalls, don our muck boots, grab our rakes, hoes, and tiller and head to the plot of soil we call our garden. Whether your plot is large or small it makes no difference, those garden visions that have been harbored all winter long can now be brought to life. Here in Southern Maine the weather has felt more like May than April. At Dog Trot Farm we seem to be ahead of the game as far as spring chores go. The lawn has been raked of it's winter debris and today was the first mowing. Gardens have been tilled and peas planted. Well, peas were planted along with lettuce, carrots and dill until someone who shall remain nameless(Gladys) decided scratching in the new tilled soil was much more pleasurable than joining in the communal bath with her sisters. Gladys has also discovered a new diversion, pulling laundry of the clothesline. Fortunately for me she has not been successful, yet.
Alas, seeds have been replanted and netting was secured around the perimeter of the raised bed garden. This will keep certain fowl out of trouble and aid in climbing peas and certain flowers.

A new arbor has been installed,
and these bright and cheerful pansies just had to come home with me, they practically jumped into my shopping bag.
When planted in this festive teacup planter, they can't help but put a smile on your face. Flowers have a magical power all their own and I am so happy these chose to come home with me.
As for Norman the gnome, well he has been repositioned to the back woods. Norman will spend his days waiting and watching for the summer fairies to arrive. I do believe there is magic in those woods, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.









12 comments:

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

loved every delicious bit of this...

i just came in from gardening too..went to our farm supply and bought corn and sunflowers and zinnias...just finished planting and watering....
feels like summer...

i LOVE LOVE LOVE your place..that garden and your flowers and your chickens..your flag....all WONDERFUL...what a dream...

kary
xxx

Gail said...

Beautiful home and yard. The panseys make me think of Alice in Wonderfand, I guess the Mad Hatter's Tea party. I wish I had seen the cup first, it is adorable.

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

lookin' good! how is charlotte coming along?

Anonymous said...

HAH! Pulling laundry off the line, that Gladys, she spells Trouble with a capital T!

Spring has come along very quickly, but I have heard the s word bandied about today :-( Will you ask Norman if he can rustle up some spring magic and arrange for sunny weather next week, I'm on vacation. Thanks!

Ali

Eve said...

Every thing looks beautiful Julie. I love the panseys and tea cup! Do you think Norman will let out a hoot if he sees mrs fox???

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

you are so cute with your comment on my blog! lol...come down and help me! bring your chickens! thought about you...a blog friend couldn't find a baby and its tail feathers were gone upon its return...

Flat Creek Farm said...

Oh, that Gladys! She is something, for sure! I enjoyed this post so much. I had big plans to put in the first raised bed of the season this week. But alas, we're now waiting for this rain to pass and then we'll play catch-up with the garden.

Love your pansies in the big teacup! -Tammy

Pondside said...

Great post! Who couldn't smile at such a pretty planter of pansies? I hope your Norther Gnome has some company soon - it might be a bit lonely up in the woods!

Finegan Antiques said...

I would love to see Gladys in action tugging on the laundry. What a hoot!! As for magic, it is everywhere in Nature. I wait for mine in the form of fire flies or what I call them fire faries. They light up my yard with their magic as they dance from spot to spot.

Donna

Jenny said...

I'm with Evie. I just love that teacup planter and the pansies look like they're right at home there! I'm glad to see that Norman has some fungus steps to help him down off that stump and I'm glad to see that he'll be keeping at least ONE eye out for those fairy cousins of his! (-:

Rural Rambler said...

Acccck Julie Norman is too too cute! But the teacup planter is the cutest! Spring looks very good at Dog Trot Farm! Julie, any kerchief thingies with those overalls?

A New England Life said...

It has been such a wonderful early spring, hasn't it? Today was wonderful and tomorrow looks like a repeat. I'm not complaining ... except when it's raining. Ha!

Someday I will have a garden. Someday. Right now we don't have the time or energy to maintain it. Last year my husband and I talked about a raised garden but it never happened. As I say, someday.