My Countdown to Spring
My earnest countdown to spring is underway. Only three days left! So exciting! Spring ushers in on Wednesday. Last week it looked as though we were still in the depths of winter, today, not so much…if fact I can truly believe that spring will be here on Wednesday.
Hard to believe. It is even harder to believe that I haven’t stepped foot into the garden yet. I have surveyed the garden from outside the fence, but it is too wet to go in, and I know that as soon as I get in I will start pecking at it and sighing deeply so I will stay out until Wednesday, so I say.
After tomorrow’s tulip crate haul, there will be only one week left in the cooler. Don’t worry, the forced crates will go on and the field grown ones will meet them so I think my timing is good and there won’t be a flower lull. Speaking of tulips, I got the 2026 availability list the other day. To be honest I am afraid of looking at it. Tulip prices have gone up 25% and who knows what the shipping will be, or if there will be any more tariffs added on. I try to keep my prices low but I often ask myself what will the market bear? Jon had more news but it mostly about placing the orders. When you come to get flowers the next few weeks let me know what you think. I will probably have to get the order in by May 1.
Other exciting news, I got notice that the shrub order was shipped last night so it should be rocking in in a day or two. At least the snow has melted but the soil is still far too wet to begin tilling. A friend is dropping off pots that I can plant some into but I am hoping that I will be able to store them in the cooler for at least a week while I wait for things to dry out. Only 60 are being shipped right now…I guess it is good that the cooler is emptying out of tulip crates.
The greenhouse is filling up with crates of ranunculus that are starting to sprout and the cool annuals. The tunnel is cleaned and compost down so after another deep soaking it can be planted out this week.
Last Friday I got about half of the hydrangeas and roses pruned so that is off the list. I probably have another half day and they will be done. Now that the snow has melted I can get in there and get it done with out my tall boots on. Then fertilizing and mulching all the woodies that are outside the fenced area. My days of leisure are dwindling.
I made a special birthday bouquet on Wednesday. Beautiful tulips, dainty reddish willow stems and the stunning Mt Aso willow. You really get to see the color now than in the photos I posted last week.
I have one more cutting of the pink pussy willows and that will be it for the year but I noticed this afternoon that the other pussy willow is starting to break its scales off so there will be more to be had, just not the beauties you see above.
I leave you with last week’s Instagram post. I am having so much fun doing these weekly posts, it gives me a chance to get creative with the small number of flowers that are available to me.
Until next week, Allie. I dream of flowers, do you?