Sunday, January 7, 2018

What Will 2018 Bring?

The New Year has begun with an arctic blast, bringing cold and snow to much of the United States. I've been housebound most of the past week, venturing out only to pick up a few groceries and return some library books.  It's not that the roads are impassable; it's just that it's too darned cold to go out if I don't have to.  I really don't mind too much--after the whirlwind of the holidays and two trips to Texas in the last month and a half, I'm happy to settle down to a slower pace.  It's a good time to work on those New Year's resolutions and then settle down with a good book in the evenings.  Every year I make the same resolutions like eating healthier and exercising more, but my main goal this year is to purge this house of some the clutter that has been accumulating over the past 13 years in every corner of the house.  Once gardening season begins, I know that will occupy more of my time, so if winter is short, I may not get much done!

The New Year represents a clean slate, a chance to start over and focus on what is really important to us.  For some people, it means a goodbye to a bad year, in hopes that this year will be better.  But 2017 wasn't a bad year for me, other than the political climate in this country, but I'm not going to get into politics here.  For me, 2017 was filled with lots of family celebrations and activities from graduations to baptisms to birthdays to many, many sports events.  Many hours and days were spent with grandchildren, filling my heart with joy.

2017 had its ups and downs in gardening, too, and I'm hoping for an even better gardening season in 2018.  We had a mild--and short--winter.  By late February crocuses were blooming, the earliest in my memory, and I was already working on cleaning up the garden beds in March.

The first crocus blooms appeared on Feb. 22, 2017


The early spring meant that by mid-April the tulips were in all their glory.  Those of you who have read this blog for awhile know that spring is my favorite season of the year, and I love, love tulips.  The problem with tulips, of course, is that they are more short-lived than other spring bulbs, so every year I try to take photos of the flower beds so that in October I can remember where I need to plant more.  The photos do help, but I still do a lot of guesswork in planting, which means that every spring brings some surprises.  Last year I noticed so many of the early tulips were yellow, which is strange since I'm not particularly fond of yellow.  But this year I got carried away ordering all different types of orange tulips.  I think I planted nearly 200 tulips this past fall, so I can't wait to see them all come up this spring!



I also planted another 100+ daffodils between the pine trees, in my goal of creating a "river of daffodils" on the edge of our yard.  I'm anxious to see these, too, and a little worried since my husband mowed this area last spring before I gave the okay.  I have my fingers crossed that the older daffodils survived despite the early shearing.

If I could have one wish for 2018, it would be that spring would last longer.  Though we had an early start to the season last year, by May the weather had turned warmer, almost summer-like, and the spring bulbs didn't last long.  There aren't many new blooms in my garden during this transition time, but I'm usually busy for several weeks planting hundreds of annuals in containers and in borders around the flower beds.  I remember telling some friends how excited I was about a shopping trip to a favorite nursery some distance away where I spent $400 on annuals that would have cost at least $600 locally.  They all thought I was crazy to have spent even that much--I think I am now officially the crazy plant lady of the group.


I remember thinking last year that it was time to cut back on the number of containers, especially when August and September rolled around and I was spending all my time watering all of them, trying to keep them alive.  But it's hard to cut back, especially when I find a new container that catches my eye, like this old wheelbarrow that my husband rescued from the neighbor's trash.  I know I'll be planting this one again!  One thing I learned last summer was that petunias don't like this wheelbarrow for some reason.  I wasted time and money planting and re-planting Wave and Supertunias, only to have them die shortly afterwards.  This photo was taken in the fall, when I'd replenished it with small mums and gourds, but I need to find something else besides petunias for the summer months.


Summer brought my favorite flowers, daylilies...


...and my beloved coneflowers.


The daylilies multiplied, and the coneflowers self-seeded, so that by mid-summer every flowerbed was a mass of blooms. Will 2018 finally be the year I get ambitious enough to finally divide and purge so that my garden isn't a jungle? Well, we will have to wait and see, but don't count on it.

By August I had the garden blahs--oh, I enjoyed whatever was blooming at the time, but I had no desire to get out and weed or do much of anything else.  It didn't help that we went for weeks without rain. I remember dragging out hoses every day and rotating sprinklers on all the garden beds, but that just isn't the same as nourishing rain.  I lost some plants, but by September I really didn't care, other than some native seedlings that I should have taken better care of. If it's not too much to ask, Mother Nature, I do hope you'll send us more frequent rainshowers in 2018.

If Spring 2017 was somewhat short, Autumn made up for it.  Warm weather continued through much of October, delaying the changing to fall color, but the leaves finally turned, providing a few weeks of beautiful color, a bit surprising considering the dry conditions.

The front yard, late October 2017


We had a very late frost as well, the first killing frost not arriving until November 8.  


The highlight of Autumn, though, had to be the return of the butterflies.  Through much of the summer I worried about the lack of butterflies.  A few Swallowtails appeared now and then, but it wasn't until late August that Buckeyes and throngs of Painted Ladies appeared.  In late September a few Monarchs made daily flights through the garden.


But one day in late October I experienced something I've never seen before.  My husband urgently called me to come out to the garden--a rare occurrence in itself--and there I saw two dozen or more Monarchs flitting about in the flowerbed, lighting in particular on the zinnias.  I stood there for the longest time, mesmerized and in awe.  My youngest grandson, who loves insects, happened to be there at the time and was impressed as well.  It was an experience I won't soon forget.  I hope this means more Monarchs in 2018!


A few weeks of mild weather after the first frost gave me time to do some clean-up of the garden and eventually do a little outdoor Christmas decorating without freezing my fingers.  The old wheelbarrow was cleaned out and decorated for the season with some dollar store finds and cuttings from around the yard.


The large urn in front of the porch was also decked out--
and then finished off later with a dusting of snow.


The first measurable snow fell on Christmas Eve, just in time to give us a white Christmas and the coneflowers their fluffy white hats.  And now the garden and I are ready for a long winter's nap.


We have no way of knowing what might come in 2018, but I wish you all . . .

Happy Gardening in the New Year!

30 comments:

  1. I hope we have more rain this year too. It seems odd but we had rain here last night. I hope the ground is thawed enough to let some of it soak in. It has been so darned cold this winter. Your tulips and zinnias make me want to hurry this winter along. I can't wait for some bright color to overtake this garden. It is so brown and grey right now.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We had some rain last night, too, Lisa, though most of it was freezing rain. All the local schools are closed today, and I will spend another day hibernating:) I have to admit I can't wait to see the tulips come up. I ordered so many orange ones this year, I'm wondering if I will have an all-orange spring garden!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a lovely look back at the gardening year and your lovely garden! Like you I am trying to declutter. Am just taking a break to look at garden pix in the midst of clearing out some drawers. Trying to figure out how to NOT have a pile of papers always on the kitchen counter waiting to be filed etc. Compiled two stacks of garden books to give to Olbrich for their library or their sale. Feeling virtuous. But you are right. Those jobs have to get done now or it will be garden season before we know it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda, unfortunately, I'm a "saver"--I inherited that trait from my mother. But I have boxes of stuff I haven't looked at in years, so I doubt I really need any of it:) I agree, paper accumulation is the worst.

      Delete
  4. How nice looked your garden during the year, Rose. I loved your pictures of Monarchs and tulips. I would like the spring last longer and warmer, because last spring was short and cool. My garden is covering with snow now, only paths are cleaned and titmice are tweeting around the birdfeeder.
    Happy new year to you too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Nadezda. Spring seems to be the shortest season here, which is sad because it's my favorite. Like you, I am watching the birds a lot these days.

      Delete
  5. A whole new gardening year spread out before us with endless possibilities. It is exciting! I'm glad to see that you, too, experienced an increase in Monarchs in 2017. That was my observation as well. Let's hope it bodes well for the future of the species.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am hoping, too, Dorothy, that my experience and others' means more Monarchs this coming year. Writing this, I realize I'm looking forward to seeing the butterflies and bees this year as much as the flowers!

      Delete
  6. Oh gosh, I think your garden is a jungle in a very good way! It's perfect! That day when all the Monarchs visited must have been magical--I wonder if they were clustering in a roost at night in one of your trees? I love your wheelbarrow garden! When you're finished de-cluttering at your house, will you come over and do the same at my house? ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Beth--I didn't intend the garden to look like this, but I always find something new each year that I think I simply must have and then shoehorn it in whatever spot of bare soil I can find:) I hope the Monarch flock returns next year! Sorry, but something tells me I will never get done with all the spaces here I need to de-clutter:)

      Delete
  7. What a beautiful tour through your year. Hope the weather is more as you'd like it this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Liz. Even if we get decent rainfall this year, I'll probably still find a reason to complain about the weather:)

      Delete
  8. It's been cold here too. No negative temps but it did dip down into the single digits. Makes taking care the horses more work, that's for sure.

    I've never seen two dozen Monarchs at one, although we get a fair number during migration. That must have been an amazing sight!

    I love your wheelbarrow with the euphorbia dripping over the sides.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My neighbor has horses, too, Sweetbay, and I know taking care of animals when it's this cold isn't easy. Even my dogs didn't want to go outside--one of them would do his "business" two feet from the garage door and then back in:) The Monarch experience was magical; I only hope I'll see some like this again this year. The euphorbia did very well in the wheelbarrow, unlike the petunias. I'll be using it again next year!

      Delete
  9. Snow at Christmas Rose, how perfect.

    The wonderful thing about gardening is that no two years are the same. We are never sure what lies ahead.
    Your garden must have looked a picture 2017. So many beautiful blooms Rose.

    Time spent with family is the best. It sounds like you have so much to proud of, and many blessings in your life. Long may it last Rose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Cheryl! The garden wasn't as pretty late in the summer as some years, Cheryl, due to the lack of rain. But you're right--no two years are the same. Maybe this year I'll complain about too much rain:) Many happy family celebrations this year, including my Dad's 92nd birthday.

      Delete
  10. Always nice to visit your blog, Rose !!
    Thank you very much for your beautiful wishes !!
    Happy New Year to you too !!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, Ela! I always enjoy your bird photos.

      Delete
  11. What a wonderful New Year post Rose.
    Always so nice to see your lovely photographs.

    Time spent with family is just the best thing isn't it, I so enjoy it.

    My good wishes to you and yours for a Happy and Healthy 2018.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jan. Yes, it was a good year for celebrating many family milestones. Wishing you all the best in the New Year, too.

      Delete
  12. Here is to a stellar 2018, Rose! If that is the size of your front yard - well, then I think spending only $400 on plants, and buying 200 tulips shows marvelous restraint. (Mind you, I'm just as much of a crazy plant lady as you are, and I'm absolutely nuts about tulips. Can't wait to see your spring pictures this year! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, that is my front yard, Anna, and it's huge. But all that lawn is my husband's pride and joy, so I have to negotiate for every bit of garden space I can:) I can't wait for tulip time either!

      Delete
  13. I'm glad you had a good 2017, except for the politics...so true. Your garden photos do bring me peace. I love the snowy coneflower image especially. I'm also trying to combat clutter. While my manuscript is with my critique partners, I've been digging out my home office. The cold weather is good for indoor chores. Happy 2018!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gardening is my therapy, Sarah, and I took out a lot of frustration digging and weeding last year--if only we could root out the idiots in government so easily! I do like the down time in winter; I'm working on our office, too, and have bags of shredded paper to add to the compost pile:)

      Delete
  14. Rose girl thank you so much for visiting and leaving such kind comments .. I do appreciate them : )
    I feel guilty for not visiting your blog but it was a general shut down for me last year .. I lost touch with everyone.
    Your garden has always made me smile .. you pack such wonderful plants in it from annuals to perennials and so what if you spent that much money ! it gives you such pleasure and life is way too short not to enjoy those moments .. I love that wheelbarrow planting too ! ... Seeing all of those Monarchs ? OMG ! that is truly thrilling .. my husband said he saw more butterflies in the garden this year than in the past few years combined so something positive is happening I hope.
    All those amazing tulips and daffs are going to be just that AMAZING and stunning and simply gorgeous so you have to take lots of pictures!
    I planted a few more allium (I seem to have an obsession with them now) .. a few more daffs .. ok .. a few tulips but nothing near your count girl .. I say FANTASTIC ! Can't wait to see what you have in the Spring ..
    Fingers crossed it won't be as sketchy as some Springs have been !
    Take care and thanks again for dropping by and saying hello : )
    Joy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't feel guilty, Joy; I've been AWOL for much of the last few months, too, when it comes to blogging. I like allium, too, and did plant some more this year, including a blue variety whose name I can't remember now. It will be fun seeing all the spring bulbs come up, and no doubt I'll be surprised since I have forgotten much of what I planted:)

      Delete
  15. I am doing the same thing this winter–getting rid of clutter. I am tired of dusting things I really don't need. We had a similar short spring. It is my favourite season, so I am always disappointed when things get hot too soon. We did have lots of rain however. It was a nice change from the previous summer where we had a terrible drought. I envy you your Monarch butterflies. There seemed to be hardly any butterflies here last year. I plan to plant more butterfly magnets this coming spring and will have my fingers crossed for a better showing of them in 2018.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm slowly working on the clutter, Jennifer, trying to ask myself each time--do I really need this?? I'm hoping last year's butterfly population is an indication of even more to come this year.

      Delete
  16. What a lovely review of 2017 in your garden! Such beautiful photos! I wish I could plant more tulips, but something usually ends up eating them so I've stopped bothering. I love daffodils, though, so make up for the lack of tulips by planting way too many of those! That is amazing to see so many monarchs at once! I saw a lot more monarchs stop by the garden here last year than I've seen before, so hoping the numbers are really increasing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Indie. I've had trouble with tulips in my roadside garden, too, so this may be the last year I plant any there if they don't show up. I've planted more daffodils, too, but I just love tulips and can't help myself every fall. I hope, too, my experience last fall means even more Monarchs this year!

      Delete

Thanks for stopping by. I love to hear from you, so please leave a comment. I'll try to reply here, but I'll definitely return the visit.