Sunday, March 25, 2012

I was afraid of this!

As much as I have enjoyed the wonderful, warm weather we have been experiencing here in southern Ontario, it is returning to more seasonal temperatures.
This worried me because I wasn't sure that Old Man Winter was done with us.
The plants are about 7 weeks ahead of schedule.
And apparently, so are the Hummingbirds.

The first Hummingbirds are usually spotted in my garden during the time my Lilac's bloom - around May 24th. According to this Migration Map from www.hummingbirds.net the hummingbirds are already in Ontario!  I am concerned about the lack of food and possible cold temperatures ahead.
I guess there is only one thing for me to do.
Put out my feeders!

Friday, March 23, 2012

2012's first Fertilizer Friday post!

It's hard to believe the heat wave we have been having here in southern Ontario after the way March began. You may remember March 1st was this years only snow day. We had snow squalls and accumulation in the morning, only to heat up and melt everything by the end of the day.
The last 2 weeks have been amazing, and as much as I have enjoyed it, I'm not convinced that winter is done with us yet. I spent those wonderful days out in my gardens, cleaning up and re-edging them all and even doing a bit of topdressing with compost. This morning, I even found a few blooms!
So today will be my first Fertilizer Friday with Tootsie in 2012!
Pulmonaria just starting to open
The Forsythia bloomed during the winter and seems reluctant
Gotta love that Vinca!
The Daylily's practically grew overnight!
Bulbs popping up all and almost ready to bloom

The Poppies are eager this year too
The Poplar has already gotten Catkins
I am worried about some of these plants doing too much too early. The Lilac's are one of them.
They usually bloom at the end of May and the returning Hummingbirds depend on them. Have a look at what they are already doing...
My Tree Peony is in a hurry too
Bleeding Heart
I see signs of only one Hosta so far. I hope the rest don't hurry.
Found some catnip growing in one of the gardens, so I snipped a piece for Boots the cat - haven't seen her since!
The neighbor's pony 'Esprit' has been rolling in the mud. I think she's trying to get off the rest of that winter coat. She looks mighty pleased with herself.
Oh, and something to put the odd weather in perspective ... here is mid March 2008 when I had to shovel myself out of the house!


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Trail Camera - March 21st

The Weather has been so nice, I have hardly had time to check the trail camera!
No too much activity ... wonder where everything has gone?
These are the only shots this month so far
These daytime close ups are great for detail.
You can see this guy is losing his winter coat

One deer night time shot
And this blurry coyote shot
Who, I might add, we think took the apple lick as it was in the last photo.
Hopefully we will start seeing other animals too!