Gardening, anyone?

I dread March. (

I cannot believe it's not even March yet! A few pretty things to share, taken today:

oh QMC- so very sorry. That's where I was until I saw these. Really lifted my spirits.

Hold on, I'll grab you by the ankles!

Beautiful blooms! Meanwhile, we got a blast of winter and snow here again yesterday!

My backyard crocuses are blooming right on time...usually by February 25th around here. From this point on throughout summer and fall, I will have one or more perennials in bloom, something I worked on over the years. I am also looking forward to buying a nice big hanging basket of flowers that goes on a hook next to the entrance steps, a welcoming sight for months. Looks drab out there now without it. I keep less than a handful of annuals in pots, relying o perennials do their thing to add color.

Divine - I go with perrenials, too, and a big basket of color by the front door. I have a long shaded area by the front porch full of shade loving ferns and other greens, but can't keep color there, so that's where my annual pots go. If they can't make it, cheap to replace. Once it gets over 100 here, it's live or die, baby. What do you put in your big hanging basket? I have to have a pot of fuschia petunias in honor of my mom, but would like something different for a hanging color pot.

I am inspired! I could listen to the sweet old guy all night, and I'm excited to try something that takes some thought. It is beautiful - thanks! Lind

Love those begonias.

Booklady, I buy a hanging basket of either red or orange flowers. It is both a shady and sunny spot. I've had the wave petunias and tried impatients. My house has white siding, I stay away from purple and blue flowers against it because it lookstoo drab. This year, I learned of a greenhouse about 45 minutes away that carries beautiful hanging baskets in the spring, I have never been there but will check it out in April. I bring the basket in at night when the temps drop down until about the end of May.

I look forward to see which perennials I planted last year made it through the winter. Not that we had a bad winter. But you never know about plants! I added black eyed Susan's, bee balm, a couple butterfly bushes and more knock out roses. I hope they all return!

Damn pigeons are damn doves, here!

I love all these exotic, non- $5.99 grocery store ideas! Nothing wrong with that, beauty is beauty, I'm just excited to feel excited about gardening, again. I feared that part of me was gone. Thanks for helping it come back, y'all. ✌️❤️Linda

Spring is our best season.

Ladies, beautiful pictures and links!

Reminded me I want to try to grow petunias fro seed this summer. Always seems so ridiculously expensive to purchase in large volume, or the arranged baskets. Then again the bunnies will likely enjoy then either way. I think we have personally given the darn rabbits a delightful designer salad over the years, with black eyed susans being their favorite. Any advice on the petunias? I have winter pansies which are just starting to liven up - but by the time I am ready to pull them/ replace then in late June, the nurseries only have bedraggled petunias left for the planting.

Wren your pictures look several weeks ahead of me here outside Philadelphia PA, but you are further north. Is that typical for you this time of year? I may just have to reconsider the west coast in my future!

I am heading down to New Orleans this weekend for the first time. Hoping to see some spring - hoping the latest snowfall prediction for Friday is correct (i.e. "non-plowable and only in the morning")

Never been to NO but wren, you are making it tempting to check it out.

There are crocuses up throughout my yard now with more to bloom. Today mild temps in the upper 50s, tomorrow chance of snow and low in the 20s. Next week warmer temps again. I was at my sister's on Sunday and got a couple hunks of Lamb's ear from a large patch she has growing along her driveway, came home and planted them before I even went in the house. We had a bit of rain and they are all happy now. I am trying to nudge the spring along. Somehow, now that it's March it seems so much closer than yesterday when it was Feb

Here are open crocuses:

beautiful crocuses, great color capture!

Hoping to tour the gardens in New Orleans. DD may wind up going to Tulane, Waiting to hear on other schools, and deciding by May 1st. She liked the description of enjoying life and work a little if you have to. Growing up in the NE corridor has taught her she wants to live differently.

I am just thrilled for the current weather prediction of 70-75 and sunny. As a week later I will be having my surgery, it is just what I need to recharge before taking the plunge.

Asante

Good for you, Mrs. M. for wanting to provide habitat for monarchs and other pollinators by planting milkweed. We have a field that we don't mow, because it is full of milkweed. It easily comes back from seed every year, so hopefully, if you give it the right conditions, the seed will be easy to grow. The sad thing is that despite having habitat, in recent years we hardly have any monarchs any more. I remember 30 years ago in September I'd ride my bike and the road would be littered with ones that had been hit by cars. I'd say in the last 5 years I've seen maybe 3 monarchs:-(

just adore the dogwood! Thanks!