Heave Ho

This spot over the septic tank has been blown clear of snow by the wind. Here we have a perfect example of what happens to newly disturbed soil when it is cold and neither mulch or snow cover is there for protection. The surface of the soil is lifted by  ice crystals that form. If a new little plant had been planted here, it would have been raised up nearly two inches exposing tender young roots to night temperatures in the teens or worse.  We gave up putting in new plants in the fall for this very reason. This bed with its bare dirt can heave up and down to its heart's content all winter. We will not plant anything there until spring is here and the soil has settled. My new kicthen garden will have to wait until then.

We're Havin' a Heatwave...

It's a balmy 54 degrees outside. The wind is from the south and the clouds are galloping across the sky. Ed headed outside with a gleam in his eye. Interestingly enough, he chose to weed around the lavender in the bed in front of the house. The ground in that bed is not frozen. What can I tell you? This time of year a gardener misses weeding. The plants left behind are catnip. In the spring they will be moved to a location where they will not crowd out their neighbor.



Next came a trim for the chrysanthemums. The new growth at the base looks encouraging. The variety is Clara Curtis. In his youth, Ed was able to grow his great grandfather's chrysanthemums near Ithaca, one full zone warmer. Here all we have been able to winter over are the empty pots. Perhaps this variety will prove hardy here. The cut off stems are placed on top of the low green leaves for a little protective mulch.



I walked the paths and checked things out. One of the things I love about Ed's stone paths is that you can get a close look at the garden no matter how wet the beds may be. My little gentian needed a friendly foot to push it back down. Frost heave of plants is one of the downsides of the freeze-thaw cycle. It's time to entice Ed in for lunch. After that I know he'll be back outside until the rain starts or darkness falls, whichever comes first.