Like eating a Peppermint Patty.

The cold wind blows through my pajamas as I hurry across the yard looking for another spot to spread yesterday's ashes from the wood heater. It reminded me of those commercials. It's cold. The wind is supposed to kick up a notch today. Maybe it'll dry the soggy soil a bit. It's 27 degrees and sunny.

Before work, I have a couple things to do. One, I need to finish my first cup of coffee. Two, I've got to bring a couple loads of wood into the basement. Three, remind myself that spring is just over a month away. I can do this. I think.

Last year....



This year....

Not yet. No blooms from any daffodils. The forsythia has barely budded. Wintersown plants are well behind too. It was 52 degrees on this day in 2009. We're forecast to maybe reach the 40s today. Where'd I put my coffee?

Daffodils and muscari

I spent most of the day planting bulbs. It's currently 69 degrees and, um...breezy. It feels like spring. I had 400 daffodils to plant and 150 muscari, or so I thought. Here's the final tally, so I can be disappointed in the spring when nothing comes up.

Daffodils:

* 200 on the front slope
* 100 scattered in the shrub island, rose garden, and around the lilac.
* 35 in the shady corner where a frost killed brugmansia still stands.
* 33 around the legs of the swing.
* 35 behind the upper potager/hoophouse.
* 6 in the neighbor's corner.

That's more than 400, right?

Muscari:

* 90 on the front slope.
* 10 along the backyard fence
* 60 in the crape myrtle bed.

Yes, I can add. Along with the bulbs I planted last year in the perennial bed, the bulbs that pop up here and there, planted by someone else years ago, and whatever spring flower plants I may or may not have, it should be a colorful time in the yard in just a few months. Christmas is just around the corner. Then there's New Years Day. I'll be busy all through January sowing and planting out early sprouts from my wintersowing. In February, it'll be really cold for a couple of weeks. Then there's my birthday. Peas will be planted in the lower potager about that time. Next thing you know, it'll be spring. It's like 2 weeks, tops.

I also spent an hour moving pavers from the driveway to the hoophouse. I laid down cardboard then three 16' long rows of pavers. These will heat up a little during the day and radiate heat back at night. At least that's the plan. They might not be thick enough to really warm up. Still, the roots of tender perennials not yet sown should be okay once it's closed up.



I've got a few left. The ones in the hoophouse will be stacked to create a couple of resting spots in the backyard when the hoophouse comes down. I'll reuse them again later. The patio idea is on hold indefinitely for now.



The front slope area where periwinkle was killed. Here's where I planted the majority of the bulbs.



I found a few sprouting daffs in a spot I thought would be perfect for some spring flowers. Guess I was right.



I collected moonvine seeds from the back of the house. I was surprised to find 8 seed pods. I don't recall seeing but a couple blooms all summer. Must have been while I was laid up with my leg.



Mr. Lincoln.



The "orange" rose.



Sunny Knockout.



After all this, it was time to have a sit...



and watch the clouds race by.



It's still 69 degrees. A gorgeous day.

I guess someone will be expecting me in Atlanta soon, and a bit further Southwest after that. I'm not sure my back can handle another 200+ bulbs.

When it rains, it pours.

The rain cleared out overnight, but not after dumping another 2 inches yesterday. Ida gave us nearly 7 inches altogether over the past 3 days. We are still under a wind advisory. By noon, the sun should be out. Our high today should be 60. Tomorrow and Sunday will be very nice, 70 and 74.

In the basement, roots are growing fast on the lantana. In less than 24 hours, they've doubled in size. Several other cuttings are now showing roots too.



It's 50 degrees and cloudy. Sleep didn't come quickly last night, so this afternoon, a nap may be in order after work.

The basement is dry.

For the time being, anyways. Ida has swept a large band of storms south from Virginia. At the moment, the largest cells are moving through the Triad area of NC. They should be here by noon. We've gotten another 2.5" of rain since yesterday morning. A roaring fire and a couple fans dried the basement floor overnight.

There's still some color in The Wild. It's been almost a month since I've seen hummingbirds, but the bees are still clinging to the pineapple sage.



In the cloner, the first roots are appearing. This one is Miss Huff.



This is a Montauk Daisy. I've never tried rooting these before. Looks like it works.



This morning, between rain showers, I hope to take more cuttings from several butterfly bushes. Yesterday I took cuttings of white. I know someone that needs some variety in her life. The new ones will go into the cloner. The white ones were stuck in soil and placed in a zip lock bag on the light rack. We'll see which ones do best.

Off today, no other big plans. Might do something on the kitchen. Might take a mid-morning nap. It's 45 degrees outside. It's windy.

4:03pm - I didn't do much. I planted a pampas grass I had bought a couple weeks ago. I also planted three cotoneasters in their temporary winter spot. I took cuttings, of course, and stuck them in the cloner. I also moved the Leyland Cypress I planted almost two years ago between the driveway and the basement door. It'll get much to large for that area. It now lives with the others behind the orchard. In its place, I put the Hollywood Juniper I bought this spring. I think the randomness of that evergreen will be more interesting in that area.

I also did a little work on the kitchen. I got the last piece of beadboard next to the behemoth done. I also installed the chair rail in the little vestibule that leads outside.



Two more pieces of each and that will be done. Maybe later. I need a nap. Must have been all the chili.



It's 50 degrees and has been raining on and off all day. I've got a fire in the basement and the house is comfortable. I've got to chop some more wood this weekend.

The Wild

Just to show what's growing "back there".



This is the area where I found the pink rose I planted by the front door.









Looking back



Leatherleaf Mahonia





Ivy, vinca major, and other things slither along the ground back here.



An old patio table and chair next to the flowering quince.



Ditch lilies. These now inhabit the daylily bed and the perennial area.



Another mahonia and a 7' tall camellia behind it.



A forest of tiny maples.



The "sky" from here.





The gully.



towards the street



Gulfstream Nandinas.



Hardy Orange. Poncirus trifoliata







A butchered Mock Orange.



More Nandina.



Even boxwoods.



I need to turn my attention to the front of the house now. The gardens are almost done aside from tending. I need to start thinking about replacing the brick and covered porch with something more in keeping with the style of the house and yard. I'm leaning towards a trellis and large rails with wood stairs. It would be simple to build after all the brick is removed. I'd even have the materials for my firepit.



I'm almost ashamed to show that picture. I'm heading back outside. 57, sunny, and windy.

A Hard Rain

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain pounding on the window above my head. I'm not complaining. It was a better sound than the alarm clock. The rain has stopped completely now. The clouds are starting to break up on the radar map. By the time the sun comes up, it should be partly sunny.

It's 61 degrees. The high today should reach into the mid 70s. A wind advisory has been issued for our area. I hope it blows the clouds away. We could use a little sun and wind to dry things off after another 4 days of rain.