My Garden Notebook - May 2013

Spring has beautifully emerged with a slow creep that has allowed each bloom, each leaf, to step out into the season with tender care and ultimate beauty. Vivid colors of blooms are lasting and fulfilling more than promised. The forest canopy has filled in the emptiness with an artist's hand, delicately painting in all the color and texture over time.

There have been moments when my impatience has gotten the best of me as I could not wait for a bud to splash into petals, but savoring all this beauty far outweighs any peeves I may have. The gradual dawning of each delicate petal, bud, leaf is a sight to behold, to luxuriate in the elegance of each stage as it ponders its next step. It is a lesson to slow down, to treasure, to relish this season of utter beauty and welcome surprises. After the resigned birth of this spring with its paused display of grace and artistry, I do not think I will ever experience spring the same way again.


stats

Gardening Zone: 7a
April High Temperature: 89 degrees F
April Low Temperature: 28 degrees F
Precipitation: 2.97 inches

wildlife

There has been a Cooper's Hawk or a Sharp-shinned Hawk frequenting the backyard. I think it is hunting the backyard birds, but it may also be hunting voles. I have not been able to capture it with the camera yet.

Cooper's Hawk - image from www.birdsource.org by Gary Botello

Sharp-shinned Hawk - image from www.birdsource.org by Robin Solomon

While I was mulching the flower beds, I came across this little bunny who did not go very far after I frightened him. I think I have found the culprit who has been nibbling on my dill in the herb garden. It is only about five inches long. As much havoc as they wreak in my garden, I still find them very cute.

I often see the Pileated Woodpecker in the adjacent woods. They are easily frightened, so I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to get a somewhat decent photo of one of them.

The Mourning Doves always seem to be in pairs.

what's blooming, sprouting


The redbuds and cherry trees finally bloomed and the color was a welcome sight.

Redbud Trees in Bloom

Even as the new leaves come in, the tender and supple birth is full of color.

Redbud Tree - 'Forest Pansy'

In January and February I noticed several vole holes on the top of this protected tulip bed, and I thought the voles had finally found a way to nibble on the bulbs. They must have been deterred by my methods because the tulips came up beautifully. See The Vole in the Garden: Control Methods.

Mixed Tulips

The azaleas are budding. I am hoping those ants are controlling the aphids.

Red Azalea - Sherwood Forest

The Carolina Jessamine is always fragrant and golden.

Carolina Jessamine - Gelsemium sempervirens

We had problems with our trash container falling because of the winds on the side of the house and the slope on which it is perched. A few years ago, we erected a trellis on either side of it, and I planted Carolina Jessamine by each trellis. The plants have climbed up the trellis and created an arbor over the trash container. And now we have no more problems with it falling. Besides, the scent is very pleasant each time we walk near in the spring.

Carolina Jessamine - Gelsemium sempervirens

The pink dogwood is one of my favorite trees because the blooms seem to last and last with that lovely color.

Pink Dogwood - Cornus florida 'Rubra'

Pink Dogwood - Cornus florida 'Rubra'

These are the last daffodils to bloom.

Golden Bells Carpet Daffodils

The irises are budding.

Iris

The Japanese maples have such nice color when the leaves are out.

Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Viridis' and Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Sunset'

And they seem to glow when the sunlight caresses the leaves.

Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Sunset'

After taking a long winter's nap, the hostas are ready to greet the light.

Hosta

in the vegetable garden

The vegetable garden beds are filling up for the season. I place the red tomato teepees around some of the smaller tomatoes to keep them warm on cool days and nights.

Vegetable Garden

In the garden...spinach

Spinach - 'Corvair'

...peas

Snowpeas - 'Avalanche'

...red cabbage

Red Cabbage - 'Cairo'

...strawberries

Strawberry - 'Tribute'

...lettuce

Red Leaf Lettuce - 'Red Sails'

The herb garden is filling up with annual herbs to sit beside the perennial herbs.

completed chores


cleared away plant debris and leaves in remaining plant beds
weeded remaining garden beds
spread compost in remaining beds
planted tomatoes, spinach, strawberries, red cabbage in vegetable garden
planted basil, dill, tarragon, parsley, carraway, Thai basil in herb garden
weeded vegetable garden paths
planted annuals in containers and garden beds
sowed squash seeds in planting trays
sheared boxwoods
planted Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) shrubs
spread beneficial nematodes to control Japanese Beetles

chores for May

plant remaining annuals in containers
plant gladioli
spread milky spore powder
complete mulching beds
sow green beans
plant bell pepper plants in vegetable garden beds

Tulip - 'Peach Passion'

What's in your Garden Notebook for May?

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I had some connectivity issues this last month. I hope things continue to go well for I plan to post more about composting.

I am joining in the following:

Helen of The Patient Gardener hosts End of Month View. This monthly meme is where garden bloggers share their garden views for the end of the month.

And The Gardening Blog for Garden Bloggers Harvest Day, a monthly meme where bloggers can show off their gardens.

© copyright 2013 Michelle A. Potter