Spring Gardening

Yesterday, though cloudy, was the perfect day to tackle some items on my Spring chore list.

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I was going to the local greenhouse for spring flowers.  This early in the season, flower planting is pretty much limited, in our area, to pansies and violas.  Although there are primroses available, I feel that nights get a little too cold for them right now.   It was great fun to walk through the greenhouse and dream.  But, I only ended up bringing these home....

Once back on the farm, I spent a little time in the greenhouse planting some laccinato kale seeds that will be later transferred to the garden.  "Dinosaur" kale has become a favorite of mine.  The leaves are much more tender than typical kale.  This is the type of kale that I planted in our greenhouse for winter consumption, however the leaves take forever to grow with winter's lack of sunny hours.

Normally, this kale grows to look like this:

Next on the list was to do some more planting directly into the garden boxes.  I finished sowing sugar peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, and half of the onion sets that I am going to plant. 

 The rest (2 more packs)  I plan on planting Saturday when our "Littles" are here to help me.   

Yesterday, Griz was my helper (on my lap as I sat on the edge of the garden boxes.)

I was happy to see that the rhubarb and the violets have emerged.

Also, the saffron crocus is up and looking quite healthy.  These plants will die off over the summer and then re-emerge in the fall.  By early October, I will be able to pluck the saffron from the center of each lavender crocus blossom.  Normally, crocus are spring bloomers, however, saffron crocus blooms only in the autumn.

Most of the items that I use in my fairy gardens have seen better days.  Sunlight and rain takes its toll on these things, and after a couple of years, there is usually no color left on them.  I painted the items that looked the worst.  I didn't take a "before" picture... but imagine "drab".   Here is the "after" photo....

One of our big projects in the coming months is to build some gnome and fairy houses to place in the woods along the Dragon Tree Trail.  This trail, you might remember from last summer, is a winding trail through the woods between our picnic pavilion and our house. 

 I have placed some dragon figures along the trail for the kids to find.  Fairy and gnome houses will be a fun addition.  

I had made this sign, which Hubbs cemented in place at the very beginning of the trail...

At the base of the sign.... a baby dragon, of course!

 I planted most of the violas along the stepping stones to Maven Haven.  In the coming weeks, these and the crocus that I planted last fall will begin to bloom and add some lovely color to this walkway.  I'll be sure to show you when things begin to bloom.

I plucked the early blossoms from the pansies to encourage more growth

 and put them in my flower press to use for some yet-to-be-determined future project.

I took a quick break from the "fun" projects to do a little herd maintenance.  As you can see - everyone is quite muddy right now.

First on the list was Donnie Brasco... the worst of the lot.

There was barely an inch that didn't have a bit of mud attached!

As you can see... no matter where I am around the farm, there is always a cat there to supervise me.  Apparently, supervision is needed!

Another pair of hands would be better, if you ask me!