I’m Getting Dizzy
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Cheraw in the Spring
I enjoyed a long walk today
In my son’s new town.
He moved here this past fall,
so this is my first glimpse of spring in Cheraw, South Carolina.
The azaleas are in full flower now.
The wisteria are wafting their scents into the breezes.
The birds are nesting and singing.
I awoke to a song I did not know this morning.
I’m feeling like a Southern Belle.
I can’t think of anything more southern than moss
and magnolias,
Unless it’s an ornate gate.
Snowballs in spring are just magical.
The boy may have trouble getting rid of mama.
Flowers, Figs and a Freeze
April 6, 2016 in North Carolina.
More anomalies.
Flowers without foliage and foliage with figs, along with freezing temperatures.
Ranunculus Reigns in April
Bright colors, Tight petals, No thorns
Ranunculus reigns like an early rose
It actually comes from tubers, not bulbs
Likes cool weather
May have up to 30+ blooms per plant
Great source of cut flowers.
What’s not to love?
FOLLOW the FLOWER to Spring
My Flock of Friends
My flock of friends flew in yesterday.
They filled the trees with excitement.
Groups took turns swooping down to visit my Foster Holly.
The party lasted from morning ’til evening.
Just at dusk, they lifted from the tree tops and flew away.
I do not know where the Cedar Waxwings come from or where they go when they leave.
But they know where my Foster Holly is
and stop by every spring to feast on its berries and rest as they journey.
Follow the Flock.
Wednesday Vignette – glory days
This is a beautifully written piece. Please give yourself 2 minutes of peace by reading it.
So, there’s been another attack – in Brussels of all places. Of course, it’s not just any town – it is the administrative center of the European Union. But still… it makes me ponder the relative randomness of it all. You never know where the next one is going to be, and how close you will be to it. The only thing we can pretty much know for sure is that there will be a next one. There always is.
In the air, halfway between Amsterdam and Gothenburg about two months ago, I looked out the window of the plane, and saw this:
This is what is called a “glory” – an optical phenomenon where light is refracted through drops of water. Notice how the rings continue through the spectrum twice – even a third time – as it fades outward. I bet it continues beyond that, even though we can’t…
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Spring Queening
Each spring has its own unique crop of weeds. This spring has an unusually high number of different weeds, due to our mild winter. The volume of weeds this March has been overwhelming.
Even though there were many contestants in the Spring Queen Weed contest, there was a clear winner.
This weed showed a superior ability to grow along side other weeds.
This one was firmly rooted wherever it took hold. It clearly dominated the field as a go-getter.
The lovely little purple blooms atop square stems were quickly recognized as a nettle.
Its hairy leaves with a blush of purple, arranged oppositely with palmate venation was the sign that this was no regular Henbit.
I’d like to announce the newly crowned “Spring Queen of the Weeds” is…
Purple Deadnettle/ Lamium purpureum
She is clearly top of the heap for the 2016 spring season.
Congratulations Nettie!
Do not expect me to end this post with
“Long live the Queen.”
Bunnies out, Bulbs up
I have been telling folks that my bunnies are as big as the neighbors’ beagle. Now I have a photo to prove it. Thankfully, I had my camera with me photographing bulbs when this encounter went down.
I spent every day last week sliding up and down the hills on cardboard.
No, not for amusement! I’ve been digging weeds.
Spring is just around the corner in NC. Wait for it………
Follow the Flower to spring.
Start Your Seeds
It’s time. Finally.
Here’s what you need to start your seeds.
SEEDS, SOIL and SIGNS.
SEEDS can be what you’ve collected yourself (See Save the Seeds Post),
or what your friends sent you in their Christmas cards,
or some you bought.
SOIL must be fine for small seeds in pots .
or loosened and enriched with organic material, like compost or chopped leaves.
Think of it as plant “baby food”. You wouldn’t give a baby a big chunk to eat. Break it up.
If you use a Jiffy tray, keep it covered. Do not put this little greenhouse in direct sun or you will cook your babies.
SIGNS can be anything weather proof. I use colorful plastic knives from the party store.
If these need to be legible for long periods, etch the plant names with a Dremel Tool.
Six weeks from now these babies will go outside.
NOW…Start your seeds!
floweralley 