February Walkabout

Prior to the polar blast, large amounts of water were present in the soil or driveway.  Ice like never before seen here made walking dangerous.  My lawn tractor fitted with a snow plow could not make it back up the hill without moving back and forth across the slope plowing nothing.  The pros were summoned and opened a path to the road.  Unseasonably warm days finally cleared the ice from the gravel road and we can now safely walk on a squishy surface.

When daughter Amy first went to NYC to live and work, she spent considerable time in botanic gardens there.  One grassy slope was home to a large number of Magnolia trees.  When their flowers were open, Amy would stretch out on the lawn and look up at the flowers against a sky background.  We were able to keep a northern variety alive but few flowers were ever seen.  We knew that this tree formed its flower buds in the fall and that winter starved deer would feast on flower buds.  This year a longer fence was placed that has so far kept a large number of buds safe.  The worn fence is truly ugly but easily removed.  We are looking forward to a massive display of favorite flowers soon.

We knew little about moss before we were directed to Robin Wall Kimmerer's book about moss.  Now we know just enough to gaze in wonder at plants that quickly come back from appearing dead following exposure to some light and water.  This rock is about the size of a bowling ball and new moss is growing from numerous dings and cracks on the surface.  We do not know the names of any mosses but this growth resembles carpet in texture.  A book has been ordered that will assist in finding names for these plants.  Soon we will be able to attach names containing way too many letters to these wonderful plants.

Any winter walk near exposed ground must detour to an Arbutus planting.  These two plants are the last that we moved and their growth habit is somewhat sparse since they were planted in deep dirt free soil consisting of mostly rotted pine needles.  If these plants were not protected by wire, rabbits would have eaten them clear to the ground by now.  With our help flowers will appear in the not to distant future.  I can remember how they will smell.

This stone is smaller than a breadbox and was moved to our developing shade garden from the back woods.  We were fearful that the move might kill the moss.  Moss peels easily from stone so we were careful handling it.  We now know that moss will dry out and appear dead but quickly revive if watered.  Robin Wlll Kimmerer described taking a boxed specimen out of a closet.  After opening the box to allow light to strike the surface of the moss and a generous watering, the moss quickly turned green and resumed its life.  The lower left corner shows differently appearing growth which might mark the return of reproductive function following recent time locked in snow and ice.

I walked up the hill to a spot where Partridge Berry flourishes.  The moss covered rock was an unexpected bonus.  Partridge Berry will be moved to our developing shade garden.  It transplants easily and appears not to be on the rabbit's menu.  Initially it will receive a wire cage cover.

This flat rock appears to be home for several different mosses.  Time spent with a magnifying glass will aid in identification.  Four different mosses may call this stone home.  The really great news is that I was able to stand up after kneeling on the ground to snap this picture.  My move was not graceful nor did I cry out in pain.  Cannot wait for warmer weather.