It
is so tempting- these warm days and sunshine coming into the house just
want to make you start planting. I share your enthusiasm! For weeks
tulips and daffodils, forsythia, cherry blossoms and pussywillow have
been arriving at The Garden Path by the box full, ready for a vase someplace
where they can be enjoyed. We discussed how you can cut branches from
the outdoors and force them inside, and I hope you have experimented
with that idea. Even now, as you see the buds forming on bushes, think
about that because we still have a very long month before planting outdoors.
What
really triggers those outdoor plants is the temperature of the soil-you
can see that in parts of the yard that have a more protected area. In
our area, we consider a safe date for outdoor planting to be Mid-May,
usually marked by Mother’s Day (this year May 14). Any spring
snows actually protect new growth from severe cold snaps, but if you
are like me, I am walking by my garden, asking to please be calm, and
not make their appearance too quickly, we all know there is still snow
and cold to come.
So
just spend time looking and pondering all those flower catalogs that
are coming! I am not an avid gardener, but the one thing I do is take
a picture of my garden each year to remind me of what was working and
how I want to change things next year. I call it Survival Gardening-if
it survives, it stays! Spend this time of year doing some planning for
your summer garden. Enjoy Easter time with the season of renewal, with
beautiful spring bouquets in vases and baskets in colors of pinks, blues
and yellows- is there anything more wonderful than a simple vase of
cut hyacinth? Come by and see us at The Garden Path, it is the cure
for the early March and April Blues! We have all the spring you need
for now, beautiful flowers, blooming plants and Easter ideas galore!
Karen
Novotny owns the Garden Path Co. in Castle Pines. She specializes in
European style floral design for all occasions, including weddings,
parties and special event co-ordinating.
