Chronicaling the lunacy of taming three acres in Tidewater Virginia, one square foot at a time!

"Gardens... should be like lovely, well-shaped girls: all curves, secret corners, unexpected deviations, seductive surprises and then still more curves. ~H.E. Bates, A Love of Flowers


Sunday, February 27, 2011

Daffodils and Cow Bumps

 The daffodils have been opened for two days,...sigh of relief that spring actually is coming.
 In the field down the way, cow bumps are popping up all over. Takes them a day of so to get with the herd action. So much fun to watch them romp and play!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Spring Skies and Frisky Horses

The sky was downright creepy tonight...but errands must be done.


Crazy weather-warm one day freezing the next.



The baby horses have the windy spring spirit in them.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Little Yellow Flowers

The first crocus opened over the weekend in the beach garden...cheery and yellow.
Overwintered pansies...cool coloring. That's all for President's Day!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Snow Moon

Did you see the moonrise tonight?? Holy Cow! It was beautiful.

The full moon in February is the "snow moon."

I think it's kind of cool that way back in history the people of different cultures have given the full moon specific names to mark time and season.

Since the heaviest snow usually falls during the month of February, Native American tribes of the north and east most often called this month’s full moon the Full Snow Moon. It's also been called...
  •  the Full Hunger Moon or Little Famine Moon, since harsh weather conditions in their areas made hunting very difficult
  • the Celts called it the Moon of Ice
  • the Chinese named it the Budding Moon in anticipation of spring.
Speaking of spring...luckily the "snow moon" actually brought a serious spring flirtation with temps hovering around seventy degrees today. Tonight I heard the first spring peepers...so as folklore has it there will be three more freezes before spring is here to stay.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Sunday Misc.

You're probably thinking- "Jeez what's up with all the gazebos pictures....always with the gazebo!"
I marvel at this little Kitty Hawk Bay with as many moods as a teenager. This morning- placid. Smooth as glass. So more non-gardeny gazebo pictures.
Back to signs of spring...
1. dos dientes de león Surely this is a good sign!

2. Two clumps of daffodils appeared nearly overnight!
3. Daytona
4. Spring Training
5. No more football on TV

In other news, my kids always tease me about driving around with my camera at the ready...and today I was richly rewarded for absorbing their kidding. Behind the Walmart, where a large man made retention pond is situated, a gorgeous Bald Eagle was perched high up in a dead tree.
Since my camera was at the ready, I pulled to the side, flipped on my blinkers and watched as he regally surveyed the area for a tasty morsel.
How cool is that!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

How Early is Early?

On a day when I was able to find a bedraggled snowman remnant soundside, I read the instructions on the Burpee website, encouraging pea planting as soon as the ground can be worked!
So, I found my soil workable in a protected sunny warm location and planted my Dark Seeded Early Perfection Peas. Drought resistant, prolific and early...begging the question- How early is early?
I guess I will find out!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Finally Some Good News!!!

Punxsutawney Phil emerged at about dawn and his handlers announced the famed groundhog didn't see his shadow, signaling an early spring!! YIPPEE!!