Friday, April 16, 2021

Midwest Gardening: Mid-April 2021 Pt.1

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Hi, gardeners, 

Guess what is blooming?!?!?

I finally have something to post...we have been pressing our noses to the cold windows and hoping for some color.

Two weeks ago, I realized the critters were pulling up my bulbs, or eating the new growth right down to the ground. 

I dragged out every bottle of cayenne pepper, chili-pepper, pepper anything and madly sprinkled it everwhere! 

YAY! it worked.

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Last Fall, you may remember I planted over 100 bulbs. I hope the critters didn't get all the Siberian Iris...we will find out later. 

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The tulips were all different types, so they are blooming here and there.

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This Narcissus is gorgeous...so ethereal.
It's dry again so they were drooping and I had to hold them up to take the photos. The last ten years NW Chicagoland has been drowned in Spring, this year has been quite dry, very dry. With the freezing temps, we can't set up any watering yet.

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The caged Peony is being brave....we have near freezing temps forecasted every night now for ten more days.

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The blues are the periwinkle ground cover. This is only the second year for this flower bed. Hoping all the plants survive and  flourish. I should have taken the bunny down...but he is so cheery and he doesn't eat our flowers!

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Here is another view! The Daffys are holding with the cooler temps.

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These Tulips are new and so pretty. I love yellow flowers, and blue, and red, and ...

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A whole cluster of these peach ones are coming up---gorgeous with purple veining.

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These are red, no pink, no red, ...crimson???

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The lime green Hosta are popping up everywhere and make a perfect backdrop. I transplanted some Zebra grass a few weeks ago from big tufts. It can be invasive if you don't curtail it.

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These are peach and red! In the back are day Lilies and Iris!. I leave the leaves and debris on the ground as long as we have frosts to protect the bees and other beneficial bugs that are hiding underneath.

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I'll leave you with these sweet faces...

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...and the wonderful sound of running water!
The birds love this old pump and trough.

How is Spring coming in your neck of the woods?

See you for Part 2


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Please do not use my photos without a link back to this blog without my permission.

Thank you for your cooperation, 
Sandi 
 





15 comments:

  1. I too love the sound of running water. Love your old pump and trough. Your garden is beginning to bloom beautifully. Tulips and daffodils are always the first happy sign of spring.

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    1. Hi, Kim. Thanks for stopping by. Filling up the birdbaths and starting the pond is my favorite part of Spring. And of course Daffodils which we have tons of...the gift that keeps on giving, LOL. Hugs, Sandi

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  2. How wonderful to have a garden full of beautiful tulips, I'm so glad you were able to save them from the critters! Love the white daffodils, never seen those before!
    Jenna

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    1. Hi, Jenna. Those crimson ones made me think of you....and the narcissus and how much fun you would have painting them. We are redoing a condo of a friend to sell, so I'm not able to get to anything right now! But I have the photos and will try and paint them, my favorite is the IRis, but we should be done with the condo, in May. Hugs, Sandi

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  3. Well done with that. And a good reminder. Rick has had "friends" visit his newly planted garden, and while not wanting to turn into a Mr. McGregor, he would like the greens to last to fruition! I think I'll gather my cayenne and peppers and do as you did!

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    1. LOL...I love bunnies, but they do munch. Luckily full grown tulips aren't their favorite. But it was the squirrels pulling up the Siberian Iris that were really awful. And who knows what else is out there at night, lol. Hugs, Sandi

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    1. Dear Maristella. I think of you often, as you go through this difficult time. Many hugs to all, and take your time...and visit when you can. Hugs, Sandi

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  5. Hi, Linda. I'll hold off until late May also. Except for peas and some lettuce in sheltered areas. Onions and Spinach are pretty hardy also. The rest will be waiting to go into the ground. Golly...snails are bad, try sinking a can/pan in the ground with beer in it. You can also spray cold coffee on the ground around plants they like. Upside many plants LOVE coffee! The pepper really does work, except a good rain, and you need to do it again for squirrels and bunnies, upside it is biodegradeable and safe for pets, who may just sneeze, lol. Hugs, Sandi

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  6. Sandi, your garden is doing well even under its harsh conditions. I love seeing all of your colorful blooms and I know they make you happy. Happy Spring dear one!

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    1. Hi, Pam. Slowly it is coming to life. We had snow and hard frost this week, like much of the country. Thank goodness for the greenhouse, though so much is still inside! Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. Sandi,
    Thanks so much for stopping by!! Love all the pics of your blooms..My neighbor continues to throw out bags of peanuts that the squirrels keep burying in all my pots...I will be sprinkling them with cayenne pepper and someone also told me that cinnamon works...We will see!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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    1. Ha, ha...well at least it isn't your husband. We are curtailing feeding the squirrels right now because of the mess they make! The chew toy...lol, he screwed to the post is a neater treat, and they can't bury it. I'm anxious to get out and dig soon! HOpe your project is working out, that is quite a steep slope you have that!

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  8. Oh, Sandi, I hope they all come up, but what you see now is just beautiful. I am so in awe of beautiful gardens with a mixture of so many different colors and types. Jerry is building me a raised bed for a cutting garden and I can't wait to get to the nursery. We don't have many critters except squirrels and I think they have gotten a lot of my bulbs over the years. I am now waiting for my "magic bugs" to come as I am noticing aphids on the rose bushes..Stay well..xxoJudy

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    1. OH, golly Judy! Aphids are the worst, I have used soapy water??? as a spray, they sort of curl up and choke I think. But at least it isn't harmful to other things. Good luck make sure you post if the 'magic'works! Hugs, Sandi

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Thank you for any and all comments. I will be happy to answer any questions or comments in replies or email! HUGS!