Spring took its sweet time this year, and now that it has arrived, it seems to be working by my personal motto: Anything worth doing is worth overdoing. We had weeks of snow and drear and no flowers and now everything is arriving in the same week. Cherry blossoms, redbud trees, cup & saucer magnolias, daffodils, periwinkle, and forsythia are just a few. Sort of supports the theory that our late spring will also be short, as we move directly into summer. I hope you are also having beautiful weather and that you are able to make the most of it this weekend!
In other news, excavations for the rain garden have begun. (I’m also working on erosion control in my “parent refuge” area but I’m further along on the rain garden.) Thanks to my trusty helper, we excavated the preliminary “receiving” area and conducted the Capacity Test. (You can see the superbly scientific equipment needed for this test in the photo below. We’ll know if it passes if the water is gone within 48 hours.)
Next up is finishing the berms, adding plants, and mulch. I’m going to be getting a seriously good upper body workout hauling mulch this year. Good thing I’ve been conditioning by lifting a giant toddler all winter long.
Mister kept a running tally of all the bugs we dug up, making particular note of the very high number of earth worms, which probably delighted the robins after we went inside and they could pick over the wreckage. I also spotted a big pileated woodpecker high up in one of our trees. (Too far for a pic, sorry.) If there were leaves on the trees he might have been hard to spot, but spring hasn’t quite gone that far in getting her act together yet.
How about you? Did you get your garden on this weekend? Any rings around the tub at your house tonight? If you’re looking for more gardening with kids ideas, join me on my In The Garden pinterest board:
Follow Meghan Gray’s board In the garden on Pinterest.
