Signs of Spring: New Garden Toys and Peepers

My Easter Gifts from H.H.

We heard a chorus of spring peepers as we passed wetlands about a mile from our house (as the crow flies) on our way home last night. The pond on Astolat Road was still silent -- it is at a higher elevation and winter lasts longer here. I suspect it will be a while before there is any frog activity around our own pond. But those peepers told me spring is just around the corner at last. As the National Geographic says (click here --National Geographic) "Spring peepers are to the amphibian world what American robins are to the bird world." These tiny, tiny frogs make mating calls like the sound of young chickens but louder. They have large toe pads for climbing. I would love to photograph one, but that hasn't been possible yet.

Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer from Wilkipedia

According to the Eastern Phenology blog "On March 27, 2012, there were several reports of the first of the season phoebes in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania". While we have many, many birds at our feeder, with several of them checking out H.H.'s bird houses, we still haven't seen phoebes. But I have my camera at the ready! Last year, at this time, I recorded a large bullfrog in my garden pond, yellow goldfinch at the feeders, and a variety of spring flowers. Check out my March 2012 garden by clicking here to see what a difference a year made.

This weekend, however, was warm enough to work outside -- hurray! I was able to try the scoot my daughter gave me for my birthday -- H.H. put it together last week. This thoughtful gift is so.o.o appropriate now, because when I get down to garden I have difficulty getting up again, and my old, old knees scream in protest.

The big, tractor seat perfectly accommodates my large rear and adjusts up and down, so I can comfortably have my feet on the ground. H.H. took my picture and said "You'll look good on a Jazzy." Thanks! I hope I don't need a power chair any time soon!

I began by tidying the picket fence border. I didn't cut down the perennials last fall, so it took a while. I am going to widen this border this year. When I teach garden design, I tell my students to make borders along fences the same width as the height of the fence to achieve a balanced look. It is time I began practicing what I preach.

The crocuses under the crabapple tree couldn't be seen because the grass had grown up around them. First I limbed up the tree a little. I weeded, gave all my bulbs a bone-meal treat, and added mulch to this bed. When you fertilize you should always water, so I was able to try out my new, purple watering can.