It seems as though it was just yesterday that the weather was cold, windy, and drizzly; right now, it's just windy and a little chilly! Just the right weather to garden without layers of clothing on with the sunshine glowing brightly. “Are you ready? Are you on the edge of your seat?” Just a hint compliments of Queen and Freddy Mercury that it's time to go to work in the garden/yard in earnest. Roses to prune, annuals to purchase, and those pesky perennials needing a “forever” home (for at least 1 season. Sounding like our home?
I just finished planting irises that figured they would be forever in pots –and cans – and where ever I could find to put them in. The blanket flower (Gallardia x grandiflora) is still in the old metal bucket that was the only “pot” on hand, and growing quite nicely. I found the bucket in the shed where it has lived ever since my mother “gifted” it to me – still in great shape (I was thinking what a shame to poke holes in the bottom for drainage) until I turned it over and found MY MOTHER had had the same idea years ago – it's an excellent container that won't break when I trip over it on the patio and I won't have to feel guilty!
The early Daffodils are out and blooming like crazy along the walkway to the house. The Star magnolia is beginning to bloom also – I was afraid of no blooms this year because of the warm weather (it loves a good long cold snap) but the “stars” are coming although they are taking a longer bud time and are smaller than last year.
All and all a beautiful bulb showing – I did have to turn the irrigation on early this season, but ya can't have everything your way!
Last blog, I described the garden mystery I discovered in the backyard and hoped someone out there knew what it was. Thanks to all the readers who submitted suggestions; but I finally found the answer online. My critter was (actually is, since I assume he/she's still there in the dampness under the Hydrangeas) an “Arrowhead Flatworm” and also called a land planarian. It's an insect predator who dines on snails and slugs, which may be the main reason my snail/slug population has diminished a lot. That was the good news; the bad news is that they also dine on earthworms! This little bundle of joy can be as long as 10 inches and be as wide .02 - .5 inches wide with the dark taupe color and the 2 distinctive dorsal stripes that run the length of the body. It can reproduce both by fragmentation but also eggs. Unlike an earthworm, this critter's mouth is in the middle of its body and gets its meals by lying atop its victim and dining away (lovely mental picture, isn't it?).
That's all the news from Casa de Buxton for now. I'd like to thank Bill Reed, class of 2017, for being at the Vallejo Farmers' Market for 2 week-ends, and our own newbie Michelle K. for helping out last week; oh, I almost forgot newbie Brenda for sitting with us also! It's fun to have more and more members who are participating in this with us!