This was without question the best day that we have spent outside this year. Temperatures near or above 70 degrees just made everything seem right. My first task was to carefully cut a wheelbarrow load of conservation roses and wild berry canes. At the top of the lane we have a decent start on a border stone wall. Transplanted Periwinkle is spreading nicely but briers make the area look nasty. The briers are nearly gone and a drive up the hill will now make a great first impression on all who see it.
This is the first Pickwick Crocus blossom of the season. Freshly open today, this may just be the best picture that we have ever taken.
This other first flower is either Glory of The Snow or Giant Glory of The Snow. These two names are on either side of the same stone label. With the ground ice finally disappearing, we began the huge task of cutting away Siberian Iris leaves. The how to book for these plants recommends cutting the foliage in the Fall but the author lives in a southern state. We believe that the crown of dead leaves insulates the plant parts from our severe Winters. Our timing is perfect since no new growth is present. We have far too many plants so some trimming will require working around new growth.
We used the truck to make the trip to clean out bird nest boxes. That required a 1.8 mile drive so the truck was a big help. Interesting rocks were spotted and the truck provided the means to move them to the developing shade garden at the other end of the property. The pictured rock is unusually heavy for its size. It is obviously not native bedrock. It gives every indication of having been in a marine environment. The last glacier that passed by could have moved this rock from near Syracuse where salt mines and limestone are common. This interesting rock will look out of place edging one of the paths in our shade garden but we did find it on this land.
We took advantage of an end of season sale to purchase a new garden bench. It surely displays the structure of business in the world today. A company located in Texas is responsible for the design and delivery of this product. The wood is similar to teak but grows in Vietnam. Milling and partial assembly happened there. Individual pieces are no larger than they have to be. The bench is solid but surprisingly light for its size. The weathered teak chairs nearby are more than twenty-five years old and each is heavier than the new bench. Working together, Becky and I moved the assembled bench from the basement to the patio using cooperation and a hand truck. Both the bench and the people made the move injury free and no blue smoke ever filled the air. They say that an old dog cannot learn new tricks but based on what transpired today anything is possible.
