Monday, March 8, 2010

We Better Get on the Ball


Forsythia


Every where you look there are signs of spring’s arrival in our garden. The Forsythia is blooming, the Spirea and willow are putting out new leaves and the daffodils are starting to bloom.

Spirea


'Ice Follies'

Ice Follies


The very first Iris to bloom in our garden is always a small border iris named ‘Ice Wings’.

'Ice Wings'

Ice Wings


The past few months seemed to have been filled with one difficulty after another for Jamie and me. Just when one thing seemed to work out another monkey wrench was thrown in the works. Between family, health and relationship issues, holidays and the just the pure stress of it all, the garden was just too much to keep up with. I’m very happy to report that things are much improved now and our lives seem to be finally returning to normal.

So what does a garden look like when it’s been neglected for five months? Not a pretty sight people…

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Well Jamie and I got out there and busted our butts Sunday and made quite a dent in the clean up. You guys should see the pile by the road for the trash men to pick up! It’s not completely cleaned up, but I feel safe in saying that we are 80% there. We really are a dynamic team…

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Ahhhhhhhhhh, I just love spring. Bright colors, rebirth and new beginnings.

22 comments:

Unknown said...

You two, as always, are doing a magnificent job. Our garden looks pretty much like yours before your clean up. Love that you are back and in the garden.

Darla said...

Yes, this nice weather is a great motivator for gardening chores!

Unknown said...

It looks wonderful, guys. I'm glad things are going better for you. I was quietly worried, but we dn't always know how to offer support other than to just keep people in our thoughts.
Your garden looks better, even pre-cleanup, than mine will look for a long time yet. The snow IS receding, but slowly.

Randy said...

Jan, it did feel great to be out there again. I wondering if the desire was ever going to come back.

Darla, the fresh air does a body good!

Thanks Jodi. :-) I've learned from all this when there are changes that need to be made and you don't address them. The lord has a way of stepping in and shoving it in your face. LOL Growth is painful, but we always benefit from it. Glad you popped in on us. :-)--Randy

tina said...

It looks a lot better. I hope things slow down for you-except in the garden:)

Anonymous said...

This is the most wonderful post, Randy! I am so happy for you both, and your garden. You are dynamic, working faster and harder than any two guys I have ever seen. Forsythia blooming means it really is spring there. Hooray! :-)
Frances

Gail said...

You are a dynamic team! I am glad to hear that things are going well for you both. Sometimes life just throws a lot at us and stress is tough...Your garden looks wonderful and the forsythia is gorgeous. gail

Lisa at Greenbow said...

So good to see you back in the garden and on the net Randy. You guys are the Dynamic Duo. Your garden will be so happy too. It is already smiling with all those blooms and buds.

F Cameron said...

Glad you are back in the garden and blogland. Your garden sure looks a lot better than mine and I've been working for the last few days, all day long!

Cheers,
Cameron

Zinnias - for interval sowing, just plant the seeds in front of, or behind the ones that are up and blooming. I stop planting in mid-July up here. You would probably stop by July 4th.

Caroline said...

Hooray for spring and new beginnings! After seeing the 'before' picture, I don't feel so bad about my garden, ha! Gorgeous bloom pics.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Randy, Sounds like life is GOOD for you and Jamie. Glad you got outside and worked on the garden. That can bring new life to all of us...

Your spring flowers are blooming --and ours have not even started. We finally got some warmer weather this past weekend---so maybe the Crocuses will bloom soon.

How did you like Amicalola??? Beautiful waterfall.

Have a great week.
Betsy

sweetbay said...

I am so glad to hear that things are better now! From an earlier post I had hoped they were, but wasn't sure. Your "neglected" garden looks like my garden now. lol Yours looks wonderful, and so ready for spring. :)

Southern Lady said...

Love your garden! I'm so glad that things are better! Carla

Randy said...

Thanks for the wonderful comments everyone! Carla I don't believe I've officially welcomed you to our blog. We are very glad to have you visiting us!--Randy

Roses and Lilacs said...

I know, it's a lot of work when you try to do it all at once. Still, even at the end of winter when the grass is still brown and there aren't any leaves, your garden looks like it belongs behind a English manor house:)

Glad to hear your lives are settling down. Hope I can say the same soon.
Marnie

Annie in Austin said...

Happy Spring, Randy - glad to hear things are smoothing down a bit.

As to the 5-month interval, just pretend that instead of being Alabama residents your garden is in Saskatchewan or Alaska where Mother Nature makes all gardeners take a long break ;-]

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Anonymous said...

I love the lovely garden urns with evergreens in them. I want something like that for my garden. Glad all is well and life is good.

Wayne said...

Every spring I look at the gardens and think I'll never get them all cleaned up! But once I get out there....it does go faster than I expect.
Glad everthing seems to be working out.

Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog said...

Oh yes, your garden cleaned up nicely (well actually, you all cleaned it up nicely!). Happy to hear you're getting back to your old selves. I am SO GLAD spring has finally arrived, and along with it the sun.

Lozza said...

Awesome to see you around and your fantastic garden. I've missed you so much. Glad things are starting to look up.

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

In Michigan, a garden left unattended for five months looks... dormant, because it's been winter, LOL! Glad to hear you and Jamie are working things out, personally and in the garden. Tis the season for hope and renewal (and hard work!).

Jan said...

Ahh, I just love spring, too;-) You guys did an amazing clean up job! It looks like you put in new bushes and plants...but it's really just raking up the leaves, cutting down the dead stuff and carrying away all the sticks, leaves and 'stuff'! What a difference it makes! It really looks like spring there...your forsythia are looking good. Mine aren't yet ready to open...not sure when that's going to happen this year. Several things are behind in schedule due to the really cold winter we had. Hope things are going well for you guys now and you will have a lovely and enjoyable spring and summer!