The path to my greenhouse is impeded by the hanging branches.
I love spring snows in the mountains. The other day I told Cord, "I wanna hear some poppin' and-a crackin' in the woods!" I'm referring of course, to Nature's pruning, heavy, wet, luscious spring snows snapping branches before the snow can melt. I was hopping around in glee when I saw how much we were getting and upon hearing we were going to get even more, I was really excited.
It turned out to be a worthy dumping - well over a foot - I had just watered the chamomile bed and was worried about dry spring perennials. After winter snow - March was brutally dry.
What a happy relief. The woods are dripping like rain right now - the ground is running with water - under the snow - and the trees are glistening and running with water, washing away March's dust.
April is our snow month - I say bring it on!
It turned out to be a worthy dumping - well over a foot - I had just watered the chamomile bed and was worried about dry spring perennials. After winter snow - March was brutally dry.
What a happy relief. The woods are dripping like rain right now - the ground is running with water - under the snow - and the trees are glistening and running with water, washing away March's dust.
April is our snow month - I say bring it on!
On the way to the greenhouse.
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Petunias in the corner and a green flat in the window.
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The camera sees the snow first, then the jungle.
The next thing to do was dig under the snow to prepare a seed flat for planting. Cord just made me a couple of new ones and a snowy night is perfect for staying up late and seeding.
I grabbed a hand broom and took it with me to sweep the snow away under a large Pinion right next to my garden gate so I didn't have too far to walk. After I cleared the snow I used my hands to scoop up Pine Needle Mulch for filler in my favorite seed flat.
After this it goes in the shower to be doused a couple of times, then left to drain and swell. The whole thing becomes a sponge especially when I use a coir-based medium on top of the pine needles.
When it's time t o add coir - make sure it is pre-wetted, no matter how you buy it.
I have used pine needle mulch as flat filler for years with great results.
I fill the flat almost 3/4 full - it will sink down when wetted.
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I covered the bare spot up with snow to blanket the tree's roots.
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Happy day in the snow. From here the flat went straight into the shower where I drenched it and let it sit while I gathered seeds.
As I write the amount of melting that has happened since these pictures is amazing - the sounds in the forest are beautiful.
I went to visit the horses and opened the greenhouse door and sniffed the warm, green, moist air while standing outside in the snow..
My mountain girls say goodbye, false summer will be back soon enough.
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