Now we’re talking!!! April is when we can finally plant annuals and summer veggies!

A year ago, Bee Better Naturally with Helen Yoest launched our first on-line mini course on Earth Day, April 22nd. Our first course is entitled, How You Can Help The Monarch Butterfly. Specifically, the course teaches and encourages you to grow more milkweed and how to raise eggs to adult Monarchs! To register, click HERE!

I’ve been busy in the garden during February. Freshening up is how I would put it. As you saw last month, I added new rock to the Rock Garden, and I also added it to the gazebo. It’s been a long time. I also need to do the Southside path. I need to look for some energy before I can make that happen. I agreed to do an open garden for the Rock Garden Society. I’m not doing this rock fresh for that, but it will add value during the opening.

All this freshening up continues through March. My goal is to have all freshening up chores done by April 1st.

GARDEN TASKS

1) Fix gate in the Back 40(ft.) —I learned BBN’s perspective Eagle Scout his troop will fix the gate while the Air Bee N Bee is being installed.

2) Rid all fig buttercup, Ficaria verna. I’ve been going after it since it arrived about four years ago. I have been doing this weekly, through February even, to rid it as soon as it shows a glossy, round leave.

3) Cleaned up the Southside. I cleared out shrubs that were there to make room for the Air Bee N Bee my prospective Eagle Scout, Leo, will make for his project. It’s also a better view for the cameras. I’m happy with how it looks!

4) Trimmed back Lady Banks rose. Cleaned up the Corner Garden in general.

5) Reduced the number of ‘Black and Blue’ salvia near the pond.

6) Added composted leaf mulch from the City of Raleigh to that area.

7) Removed blackberries and arum from the south side to pot up for the plant sale in April.

8) Put up cranberry viburnum, Viburnum trilobum, for the plant sale in April.

9) Moved a holly from one area in the Southside to another but in the same area.

10) Cut back boxwood hedge. I do this annually. Rack up clippings and put them in yard waste bags.

Front- Takes right at one hour, and 4-yard waste bags.

Side - Takes 20 minutes, and 1.5—yard waste bags.

Back

11) Level and lift the rest of the stepping stones.