Mid-march mess in the garden

Last Thursday afternoon it was 60°F. (15.55° C.) and pouring rain. I went out on the deck and attempted a shot, but decided that trying to capture rain against snow is above my skill level.

I took these pictures the next day when the temperature was 35°F. (1.66° C.) at noon. It was cloudy, starting to lightly snow and the wind definitely made it feel more like winter than spring.

I was able to see where the main paths in the back garden are and decided to reconnoiter. The snow was slowly sinking and a few spots were bare; but not as much open ground as I expected. The rain coming off the roof of the Tea House has worn a trench into the ground.

This is the area I call the Sacred Grove and is flat and south-facing. I really expected to see some snowdrops up here but no such luck. That's a half-buried bag of leaf mulch on the left that I never finished spreading on the garden last fall. So it will be used this spring instead. 

Across the path, things look pretty much the same. 

All the evergreens — including my new variegated Boxwood — appear to have survived.

The difference in color of the needles on this Pinus cembra (Swiss stone pine) is an indication to me of how deep the snow was in this area. It suggests the snow covered the second layer of branches. 

The rocks that are beginning to reappear are covered in lichens. That's Epimedium 'Domino' which I had to cage after critters started munching on it in early spring last year. 

The snow was very crusty though not thick enough to support my weight. It was thick enough, however, that I had to stamp my foot down to break through it as I made my way around. It was awkward and slow-going. 

Comments

[Kris P]

And here this morning I was complaining about the raccoons latest digging expedition...I can't even imagine dealing with the winter conditions you face.

[Nell]

Wishing you a gradual but steady warmup. Those woody plants are going to be glad of the deep moisture this summer.

We're having the first week since Labor Day with no precipitation, and it is remarkable how quickly the ground's lost its squelchiness. Taking it slowly, though: I was way too inactive this winter, and really feel it after a decent session of cutdown/cleanup.

[Linda Brazill]

It is always hard to go as slow as is safe and healthy for our bodies after winter. Everywhere you look that is usually something you want to attack.

[Loree / danger garden]

You must be so “done” with this all...

[Barbara H.]

Your description of stomping through to be able to walk around brought back long ago memories of winter in the Midwest and growing up in Michigan. At least you are seeing some progress in the slow departure of winter.

[Linda Brazill]

It is definitely warming up and the snow is slowly melting. I would like it to disappear faster but this is safer in terms of keeping water out of our basement. When we bought this house, we were pleased the back faced the sun which was perfect for gardening and light indoors in winter since we have big windows on that side. But it is miserable in terms of having your driveway and front door on the north side when we have such a cold and snowy winter as this.