Hurry Up and Wait.

It's 45 degrees and sunny. I've got the windows open while I have my first cup of coffee. The birds and squirrels are filling the morning with all sorts of noise and chatter. It was a woodpecker that woke me up.

Yesterday, a friend of mine said, "Funny how 73 degrees was freezing last week but last night it was a "hot" 73 degrees." I know what he means. On Thursday, it was 50 degrees outside. I was numb from the cold even in the house with the heat set on 65. But this morning, 45 degrees is really "nice". I hope the plants in the hoophouse agree with me. I left everything out there last night hoping they'll harden off a little over the next couple of weeks. The 10 day forecast is a nice one. I'll toss a white sheet over them before the sun gets too high. I don't want to fry the tender things.

Today is a work day. I need to clean the basement and get back to work on the project. I've done nearly everything I can in the yard until the chance of frost has passed. There will be more wintersown containers to plant out at some point. There will be seedlings to transplant and things that need to be watered. But overall, I'm in a holding pattern for the next 3-4 weeks. Most charts put our last frost around April 15. I suspect it will snow on the 12th. Mother Nature is cruel like that.

2:46pm - Where did the day go? Oh yeah, the time change makes it seem earlier than it is. It's 75 and sunny. The forecast was calling for 82 today, but I don't think we'll make it. It's too windy.

The basement is clean. Laundry is partly done and I've managed to stay out of the yard except for some watering. Of course I took photos. It's Sunday. More on that in another post.

Yesterday's new arrival has a little friend.



Soon to have lots more friends.



The yarrow I purchased last year is returning. It blooms yellow.



I think this is echinacea. I'll have to wait until it blooms to be sure.



I think this is called "Bloody Dock" but I could be wrong. It was purchased from the clearance rack at Lowe's last spring for 50 cents. I've divided it several times and have it scattered throughout the bed.



And then there's the Bull Thistle. This plant arrived from my neighbor's yard. While it is striking with its long pointy spines and beautiful purple blooms, it's invasive as all get out. I should shovel prune it, but the blooms are so pretty. There are several in the garden thanks to that one plant across the street. The tap root is probably 2 feet or deeper.



I'm also working on another post regarding Sundays and picture taking in the perennial bed. I should focus on more than just this one part of the yard. However, it's the showiest and certainly the one to show the most change over the seasons. Maybe I'll have another cup of coffee while the photos upload and my lunch settles. I'm feeling a little nap-ish.