June 5, 2009...The sunflowers are growing rapidly now. I did have to replace the hybicus yesterday, but kept the old one that shows new growth, but looks poorly. I don't through out any plants until they're definitely dead (s). I had a problem with part of one of my blueberry bushes. All the berries went into some state of deformity, where they were stunted already turned blue so I had to prune that section off just in case they were exposed to some chemical I have no idea what of??? (usually they don't turn blue until the 4th of July). The yellow roses are starting to bloom and I have one pink rose bud starting to open. The dahlias are growing real well & all the other plants we put in the gardens, except a few zinnia's died  for some reason. Almost lost an allysum from a cat using my garden for it's bathroom & dug up a plant when it burried it's waste. I better not catch him/her! Will try to get some photo's uploaded today too. The flowers on teh phlox below the bradford pear tree are almost all gone. The sweet peas are germinating well now too.

May 23, 2009... Bought all our flowers today for the flower beds around the house. We got zinnia's, white allysum, red salvia, lemon drop & multicolored marigolds, 4 different colored geraniums for the beds. Our pink & yellow climbing roses are looking great as well as a miniture rose that usually doesn't survive MA winters is also full of blooms/buds. I forget what color they were from last year. Had a nice surprise...my dusty miller survived this past winter and is also looking great. Also planted two large pink "Minnesota" dahlias. Never tried growing these, this is a first for me. Always wanted to plant them, but never bought them plants in time for spring planting. Just forgot & when I remembered it was too late. Also planted some "sweet peas" seeds for the first time. Beth's hybiscus survived the winter indoors, but looks like it went into shock after planting it. May have to replace it. The sunflowers (mammoth, mexican, evening sun, & summer cutting variaties) are starting to germinate. Planted a row of bush beans too behind the garage. Did alright there last year, so tried it again this year.

 May 16, 2009... My son graduated from Salem State College today with a BS in English. My lilacs are at peak & the smell of them almost knocks you off your feet! The yellow daffodils, forcythias and Bradford Pear tree have lost all their flowers. The phlox below the pear tree are at full bloom.

April 17, 2009..."Garden Observations"...The Forsithia Bush is in full bloom. My Daffodills are finally starting to open up and I noticed the Lilac blossoms are starting to show a little purple color on them and the Flowering Bradford Pear Tree is about to burst open it's blooms within 2 weeks I guess. So far all the pansies have survived the cool nights, have not had anymore frost! The purple Phlox is really filled in this year. It should be real pretty once it's flowers open in about a month. I spent about 3 ours in the yard earlier this week cutting back all the dead wood on the Hydrangers & other perannuals nowe that I can see this years growth coming out. All the crocus' have come & gone. Time to transplant them before I forget where they are in the front garden. I want to put them in the back garden in front of the Daffodills for next springs growth.

April 13, 2009...Still waiting for my daffodills to blossom. Hasn't been warm enough I guess. Also waiting for warmer weather to plant the pansies I bought for my wife 2 weeks ago for her birthday. Getting them ready by taking them outside during the day & giving them some fresh air & sun, then taking them back indoors over night until the night frosts are no longer a threat. The other perannuals, such as Sedum, Tiger Lilies, Peonies & others are getting larger every day teling me that spring has deffinitely arrived here in MA. My lilacs & the flowering pear tree also had buds just waiting for warm sun to burst open. The sunflower seeds I started a few weeks ago only took a few days to germinate. Guess I'll have to start them later next spring because I'm affraid I loose many of them before it's time to transplant them outdoors in 6- 8 weeks depending on the temps here in MA!

April 1, 2009...More yard work today. Only took about 1 1/2 hours to get all the dead leaves & winter debris out from behind the garage. Also cut up the huge braches I trimmed off of my "rosa ragosa"... Beach Rose. The daffodills continue to grow daily. Also see some flower buds this year! Didn't get any flowers last year because I trimmed off the green leaves before they died in spring of '07, so the nutrients didn't go back in the bulb as needed.

March 28, 2009...Well, I did get out & get most of the flower beds wedged today before the rains come in tonight or tommorow. Also transplanted soem of the perannuals that were too close to the beds, edge & needed to be moved back towqard the rear of the flower bed. Will try to get some pictures to post here before the colors fade too much. Too cloudy out right now to do it today. Saw a poair of Downey Wooodpeckers in our Flowering Dogwood today. Always noticed just one at a time during the winter months. They seem to ove the suet I put out there for them.

March 26, 2009...the few crocus' I have left are in full bloom in the front yard. Started getting the summer lawn furniture out from behind the garage to get cleaned this weekend. Still too cold temp-wise to work for long outside. Hopefully this weekend will get flower beds edged & a bit of raking of the dead stuff all over the lawn. Now if I can only catch those damn cats that are useing my flower beds for their cat box!

March 14, 2009...Just a little clean up yesterday. Removed all the dead leaves & debri off of the daffodills and other perannuals growing in my gardens that were showing some greery. Praying we don't get any more snow, even though I know they are hardy enough to withstand it.