Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
Spring’s Teasing Cornucopia
In April, after the snow melts
and doesn’t return
before the progging is done
and the soil is tilled
I put pencil to paper
and delight in
planning my pots
and plotting my plants.
The problem with our zone 4 gardens is that the weather has changed dramatically over the past few years, and we sometimes have snow left on the ground when the temperature suddenly rockets to 29 degrees (C).
Because of this, many plants that used to survive the early spring here no longer do. Now, we wait until May 25 to plant our new perennials and annuals when the risk of overnight frost has passed. That’s a long weekend here in Canada and a perfect time to plant new things in newly tilled soil.
I’m happy to plant again this year to celebrate the healing of my broken arm. My favourite colour is purple, so I’m planting this beauty as soon as possible. If it turns out lovely, I’ll take a photo.
rough sketch of a pot idea
Plants — Salvia, Coral Bells, Dusty Miller and Petunia.
*note: “Progging” is an old English word for searching for anything and is widely used to describe the collection of fallen branches and twigs. We use it often in April at White Rose Shire as we experience many storms that down the trees in the woodland surrounding our gardens. I’m chuffed to hear my grandkids use the word whenever they talk of spring at our place.
I’m so happy to be outside in my gardens again–finally!
PS. I published this earlier this year in Weeds&Wildflowers on Medium.
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Lynne Collier 