Well, not really, but if I keep saying it, it will eventually be true.
The air starts to feel different this time of year. Technically Spring is still about a month away, but the light starts to change and although there is nothing in bloom in my garden, I still keep thinking I smell flowers. The bees and the hummingbirds are back. Come to think of it, they never went away.
We really didn't have a winter this year -- I have a tree in my back yard that never lost its leaves. That's not good. This is most definitely a deciduous tree. I think we had all of one hard freeze. Maybe two. It is so dry.
I've been working a few hours every day in the garden this week. This is the first year that I haven't had any big plans for the spring. But if we're moving, there isn't much sense in doing a lot of planting. Even so there's always so much to do in the yard. A lot of plants need repotting -- a few need to be composted. I'm doing a lot of evaluating what would go and what should stay.
It's odd to think this might be the last time I prepare this garden for spring.
Anyway, on the writing front I had quite a shock when I opened the file to Winter Kill and realized the plot was WAY too similar to a proposal I have out. So that had to be totally reworked. But I already like my new crazy idea so it turns out I'm still on track.
What do you have planned for the months ahead? What are you planting this spring, be it animal, mineral or vegetable?
We live in the middle of a forest, and animals eat any garden plants, so there's no garden planning for me. However, I am thinking of upgrading my 30 year old kitchen this year. I'm bracing myself for months of eating sandwiches and take out.
ReplyDeleteOn these home improvement shows the remodels are always done in 4-6 weeks but in real life it always seems to go A LOT longer.
DeleteYou've been watching Property Brothers. I think Jonathon is cute and a superman. :-) The only good part of winter is that it kills off bugs. I miss that. Our bugs get HUGE down here. But the good part of winter down here, is that there is something blooming all year. I love that.
ReplyDeleteWe have! Yes. And the Flip or Flop show. And My First Place -- even though we are not looking for our first place. I did this when I bought my first house. I don't know what it is about the house buying process that sends me over to obsessively watch HGTV.
DeleteGood point about winter. No snakes and no real bugs in the winter. Every cloud has its silver lining.
But no rain.
I'm hoping to move this year, I've taken 2 car full loads to the charity shop (realised I'd misjudged it - should have waited and done a car boot sale!) and another load to the dumpit. and that's only the middle floor!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a gardener, but its 4c outside and sunny and son and I have just been saying how warm it feels in the sunshine. Its a 2 layer day :-) I think i might have to hire someone to clear my garden, unless you want a visit to Yorkshire Josh?
You know, the idea of working in an English garden sounds magical to me. :-D
DeleteI've been out in the garden this morning. I lost two hybrid roses in late fall, so I'm digging them up with an eager eye on some new varieties. But first, as with most things, I am planning the plan for the garden. I think you'll embrace your new garden as hard as you have this one and, of course, there is the pool that will be attached to the new garden! I'm looking forward to your crazy new plan for Winter Kill.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carlita! That's too bad about the rose bushes. I lost a bunch of them too -- didn't repot in time because I was writing Fair Play. I think I will do fewer containers next house. The soil was really bad here at first, but this time around I would take the time to get the soil amended properly.
DeleteI actually did a bit of inadvertent replanting the other day. There was a...misadventure with my new tiny lavender shoot so i, um, put it back and now i'm hoping for the best...It's holding on for now. Spring seems far here and i'm very glad for the green corner here in the living room, there's always something colorful blooming (now it's white, yellow and pink). And there's a new curly fern too. :-)
ReplyDeleteA reader (oh GOD I don't think I ever thanked her!) sent me two beautiful little house plants in the fall. They're two different kinds of plants, but they have the most gorgeous scarlet flowers. So lovely. So cheerful in my office.
DeleteWinter Kill..... sounds like what I'd like to do to winter right about now! :-D Looking at the 10' high snow piles at the end of the parking lot, I'd gladly send it to Josh for some moisture. We've been on the fence now about moving for 8 months - the fence part is not our choice, selling a business/home combo is a nightmare...er, adventure ;-) So I've tucked the what ifs to the back of my mind and we proceed with business as usual day to day. Marilyn, I think I'll need Jonathon's assistance when we do move.. ;-) For now the sun is shining, recent health issues have calmed down, I have a massage appt this afternoon, and I have a four legged office assistant waiting for instructions!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good day planned, Dianne. Especially the massage part. I admire your ability to tuck the What Ifs away! :-)
DeleteNYC apartments don't offer a lot of planting opportunities. My next move will more than likely have 'balcony' on the requirements list so that I may plant again.
ReplyDeleteOh! Yes. My first gardening experiences were in apartments, and I was a HORRIBLE gardener. I think it got so bad that plants started to wilt when I'd even look their way. But container gardening does (eventually) teach you a lot about planting and plants. :-D
DeleteSo true... I'm up for the challenge. Plants really are great for a cheery disposition!
DeleteI decided to dig up my old roses and start over with new ones. They are in the ground and already covered with new growth. I live below sea level in a peat bog, so once established, I don't need to water. Because the weather has been so warm, my lawn, which should be dormant, is already waking up.
ReplyDeleteSince, California is having a drought, last year I decided to only do succulents in my post. They all seem to have survived the winter and need to go in bigger pots. I have also started agave from seeds and they need pots....
I think I have enough to keep me off the streets and out of trouble.
Why did you decide to dig up your old roses?
DeleteRoses do pretty well in the desert once they're established, but this has been a hard year even for the roses. The big question for me now is the lawn. It's ecologically unsound. But I do love grass so much. So I'm trying to think of a reasonable compromise. Maybe cut the lawn in half or something?
The roses were about fifteen years old and even the disease resistant varieties weren't doing well. So, start over and keep on top of keeping them healthy....
DeleteAs for my lawn, I have never watered it...ever....it just grows. Peat bog....roses love it.
Oh! Yes, that makes sense. I envy you that moisture rich peat bog.
DeleteA blessing and a curse. :-)
DeleteWe had a dry January and then got walloped Feb 2nd with more than a foot of snow--I blame that rodent (even before he saw his shadow). Can't even dream of spring when looking at dirty snow mounds. I can't 'ground' garden because of health issues so I'll put out some geraniums on the front porch when the time comes. I slake my garden thirst by taking the local garden walks to see what everyone else manages.
ReplyDeleteThis year my niece wants to redo several rooms in her house; she got divorced and doesn't have to compromise over what to do about the décor. I plan to help with that which means we'll both be watching all the home shows and reading a lot of decorating magazines and books. And then figuring out a way to do everything on the cheap!
That's the thing, if you can do the work -- or are willing to learn -- you can save a bundle and get everything pretty much the way you want.
DeleteHi Josh,
ReplyDeleteMy plan for the spring became, out of necessity, my plan for the winter, and it is not planting. I'm no gardener; that's for sure. I was planning a total gut job in my bathroom in April, but that got pushed forward when my bathroom ceiling began to puff out like half a cantaloupe from a leak on the next floor! So now I am 3/4 of the way through the renovation and happy to see the light at the end of the tunnel. When you live in an apt. with only one bathroom to begin with, it takes a lot of organization to have workers in and out all the time. :)
As for your Winter Kill comment, that was surprising to say the least. To start your storyline over again after it seemed planned for so long. I hope you don't feel you are being forced to compromise with the main premise that you originally wanted.
No, the main stuff is still in tact, but I realized the crime was too similar -- and the motivation as well. So that's okay. It's actually a fairly easy fix at this point in the game. The character arcs are quite different, and that's the tricky part.
DeleteHoly moly on the bathroom reno! That would be tricky for sure. :-D
DeleteWe live in an apartment without a balcony, also the possibility for planting is limited. But we love our plants and they grew bigger and bigger.
ReplyDeleteThis year we will renovate our apartment. I am not so keen aboute this undertaking, but it's really necessary.
It will be a hassle, but very exciting to see the end result. Almost like moving to a new place, I bet!
DeleteGardens. I wish i could think of gardens, but I'm afraid the next few months here are going to be spent digging out from under the snow!
ReplyDeleteWe still have some hard freezes ahead (I presume) but it does definitely feel different on this side of the country.
DeleteI like flowers and fresh veggies from the garden, but always seem to start late... course im one of those that had 19 inches of snow and ground stays frozen forever imo. that old adage of feeling the cold in your bones seems to be true even at 27 hah
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of these planned beds but mine always turn out hodgepodge meh its all good right?
It is all good in the garden. That's true. Because the garden is only part of what happens. :-)
DeleteWe don't have a lot of space to garden in since we live in a Mobile Home Park, but being in the last space on our row we have a large "backyard" we don't share. Living in Florida we start early and plant vegetables, flowers and even have papaya trees that are already loaded down with fruit. I generally watch Keith plant all the bulbs, seeds, plants, slips and anything else he can find to grow. We are even growing plumeria trees seeds. There is little I enjoy more than walking thru the garden on a spring morning with a cup of tea while everyone is still asleep.
ReplyDelete