Late Lilacs

This is the latest that I've seen lilacs blooming that I can remember.  This has been a weird gardening season.  Over three days, seven inches of rain fell here. The rain has compacted my garden's soil, and everything is waterlogged.  We were lucky because we lost power for just five hours after strong storms.  My bok choy and spinach plants have bolted before they were ready to harvest.  (I will collect seeds for  a fall crop.)  Many seeds have simply rotted in the ground.  I had grand plans for my garden this year, like every year, but mother nature has the last word.  I chose this photo because if you look carefully, you'll see two bumblebees.  We love lilacs!

Hawthorn Blossoms

Everything is so slow this year--wild flowers, perennials, even cool weather crops like peas.  During this cool, wet spring, I have seen an occasional wasp or bumblebee, but nothing that makes me think many of our pollinators survived this winter.  However, yesterday as I was working outside, I heard a low but steady buzz, as though I were near a hive.  I searched the ground, I looked in crevices, and then I looked up.  Bees covered the wild hawthorn in full bloom. Bees may not have emotions, but they sounded happy.  And I am happy to bring you this garden update with good news.

birds at the feeder

This isn't a good photo of the bird feeder...I took it through a window. See the sticky note? That's to prevent birds from flying into the glass. I have never seen so many song birds at one time! I think this may be a once in a lifetime event. I counted seven tanagers, four orioles, an indigo bunting, and a couple of grosbeaks. This is in addition to the regular line up of our woodland birds--nuthatches, finches, chickadees, and woodpeckers.  I suppose our feeder is on the migration route this year.  And it's spectacular.

Plum Blossoms

I thought this photo of a wild plum might be a more interesting spring picture than the typical tulips and daffodils (though I may add those later).  At least I think it's a wild plum.  We didn't plant it, though I suppose it could have been planted by a human before us.  More likely, a squirrel did the honors.  Thank you, squirrel, because I like the fruits (if I get any before you devour them). With the rain and the warmer temps, everything is popping open at once. Obvious statement of the day: I like spring!

Siberian Squill

On days like today, I wish I didn't have to go to work.  I like my job, so that makes it easier.  The temperature is in the 60s F, the sun is warm, and the breeze is light...perfect gardening weather.  This is pretty late for my Scilla to bloom, but they look great.  They are quite tiny, barely above the grass (see the photo that shows I have to rake my yard).  The close-up photo shows their delicate blue flowers.  Pollinators have been enjoying their blossoms as much as I have.

A Tale of Two Seasons

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...that's April in Minnesota.  Sure, the season is officially spring, but winter does not go gently (sorry, mixing literary references).  Here are the photos that prove our crazy weather.

snowing--April 18-19

melting--April 22

snowing--April 23

melting--April 28

blooming! April 28

No sitting on the porch yet

Because of all the wind, I am not sure how much snow we have.  In one place I measured almost 12 inches.  Also, the temperature has dipped. It says 24 F on the thermometer below.  So I won't be sitting on the porch anytime soon.

P. S.  For a look at my garden, visit Richmond Library (Minnesota) on Monday at 6:30 pm where I'll be presenting.