April 2008 Newsletter
Today the wind blows strong and hard. Temperatures zoom up into the eighties. Now that the weather has broken into late spring, almost summer warmth, the flowers are crying to be planted. Memorial Day parties demand the flowerpots be filled! So we gardeners rush about gathering plants, soil and watering cans. Crews show up, work up a flurry, and leave the flowers behind. The Weatherman assures us that the rains are coming, but, so far, there have been pitiful little dribblings of moisture. Of course, the wind adds to the dry situation, sucking water from the plants and pummeling the foliage. We try to cover for Mother Nature with our drip systems and spot watering. It's a big job to cover, but gardeners take on the challenge bravely.
Maintaining plants and gardens on the Colorado Front Range always carries a risk. Plants sometimes die, as some of the brooms and lavender did this year. Winter 07-08 had a cruel twist of cold temperatures with no snow cover. Brrrr. Many of the warm loving plants crashed this spring. My seven-year-old broom of spring beauty and fragrant flowers went from being three and a half feet tall to two inches, dying back to the base. Sad to see, but I am glad it didn't die completely. Such is the on-going give and take in a garden. Gardeners may spill a tear or two, but push forward with a new plan and fresh determination.
This Spring, 2008, has brought challenges to the animal world as well. I have noticed the hummingbirds seem few and far between here in Manitou. Usually the feeders are abuzz with activity, but not this year. So far. I heard recently about the hummingbirds having three egg clutches, which should help rebuild populations. There are new wrens in my yard due in great part to the clearing of a large lot across the street. These little guys lost their homes and have moved into my bird habitat. I hope they stay and find what they need here. They seem to be nesting in the little homemade coffee-can house. So the season will move in and things will be different from last year, but will blend into the turning of time. And, in that way, things will be ever the same.
May ushers in the endless trays of happy
tender flowers. Often Spring's "annual flower crush" makes us gardeners crabby.
We try not to show it. Projects change and ebb like water in the ocean - tiding
in and out. And we really love what we do, so we hang in there… with a little
bit of grin and bear it. The workload can be huge. We strive to go with the
flow and enjoy our efforts in the pots and landscapes. Greeting last year's
perennials and shrubs is always a happy reunion. "Hello! You look well!" (Yes,
we've been known to talk with the flowers.) And turning around to look at the
flowerpots ready for the season is so satisfying. We hope you agree. We look
forward to a wonderful growing season in our gardens and in your gardens too!
Fondly, Becky the gardener
Blue Planet Earthscapes 685-0290
rselder@comcast.net www.blueplanetearthscapes.com
"Everything gardens."
Peter Bane, Permaculture teacher
Blue Planet Earthscapes P O Box 861 Manitou Spgs, CO 80829 (719) 685 - 0290