Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Friday, March 23, 2018

Early Spring Garden Chores


This week the weather was typical March weather . . .
Cloudy, rainy, windy, sunny, cold and warm.
March is such a fickle month. 
So I went outside when the weather permitted
and started some Spring chores.

 Cleaning the potting shed.

 I'll be bringing my inside starts out here
the first of April.
Then I'll start some more seeds out here.

 This is one of my homemade signs.

 I planted some small trees.

 Pruned one of the apricot trees.

Now I have limbs to haul away.
I did add a few to my hippy gate:)

I pruned the grapes back.

 Here's some of the mess from that . . .

 But I decided to try my hand at 
weaving a wreath.

 This is what it looked like 
when I was done.
Note to self:  Try it again it the fall
when the vines are more pliable.

I'll find a nice place for it 
in the garden this summer. 

Have you been out doing any early 
garden chores?
It just feels good to be outside
in the fresh air. 

Spring is officially here.
Isn't that wonderful! 

Have A Sweet Day
&
Keep Smiling. 

Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

47 comments:

  1. I'm hoping to do a clean up mow and prune my front garden this next week....not springy enough weather yet. :(

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    Replies
    1. I know the weather is still cold, but Easter is coming and we all like a clean green front yard.
      I hope you have some sunny weather.
      Connie

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  2. We had an unexpected nice day today so I made sure to go out and cut down the row of perennial Fuchsia bushes. I had some baking going on so I had to be so careful not to forget to take it out of the oven.
    I like your wreath and have thought about making one for myself. I wonder if I soaked the twigs in the bath tub would they be easier to wind around!

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  3. You are an industrious little bee! LoL I should be the same but I haven't done anything inside much less out in the yard! I need to start my spring cleaning before I even think about working in my flower beds.

    Grace & Peace,
    Pam

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  4. Connie, You made me smile with your wreath. I like seeing people use yard scraps for crafts. I once made a little flower garden border with cherry branches. :)You shed looks wonderful. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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  5. Hi Connie, What a neat post. You are so creative to come up with the idea to make the wreath. And it looks great! You are an inspiration and I thank you for sharing your ideas. Wishing you a fine weekend ahead! John

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  6. What a sweet little garden shed to work in! When we had grapes I tried making some wreaths like that. It looks nice! I tend to like wreaths without decorations as much as with decorations. Have fun! Nancy

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  7. Are yard is still buried in snow but I am looking forward to getting out soon to start spring outdoor work.

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  8. I went through my beehives last Weekend. Two survived the winter, out of six. Looks like I’m downsizing. We’re supposed to get snow tonight but I’m heading to Florida with my sister.
    Cindy

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  9. Love the wreath.Grape vine prunings are good and fairly pliable when fresh.Your potting shed and sign are precious!

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  10. I love your wreath. It’s beautiful! You re so industrias. We’re supposed to get snow tomorrow. I did get some yard ornaments out this week as well as the small table and chairs for the deck. I think it was wishful thinking.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  11. It snowed all day here today so still not much in the mood for "gardening"!! Maybe in a couple of weeks. I have no greenhouse or room for starts... so I don't get a very early start. One of these nice days (if that ever happens!) I want to go outside and clean up my white outdoor garden "hutch". It's pretty weather worn now as it sat out all winter. My entire backyard area is a disaster from last summer and all the work that was done in the front... alot of dirt was hauled to the back so we have piles of it and have to decide what to do with it!! raised garden bed? big circular hump in the middle of our backyard? or haul it away??? so many options...... you ARE a busy bee like someone above said! Makes me feel pretty lazy! I've actually been doing some sewing lately and crafting though... does that count? Hugs.. Marilyn

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  12. Our weather is still not cooperating and I have so much cleanup to do. I really like your potting shed. It's adorable!

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    1. Hi Cindy, thanks for stopping by and for the sweet comment about my potting shed. When we bought our little home it needed new windows, so when we removed the old ones it just seemed right to use them to help build a potting shed :)

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  13. We've had such great weather I've been meaning to get out there. I'm so happy Spring is here. Your wreath turned out great!
    xx Beca

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    Replies
    1. I guess it's not bad for my first attempt, but the vines were brittle and harder to work with than they would be in the fall. I might try again then :) Here's hoping you have time to get out and enjoy your pretty weather.

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  14. You are a busy lady. I haven't done anything outside in a very long time. It's still been too cold for me

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    1. It's still pretty cold here too, but at least twice a week we have been having a nice day. Then again I don't have to be at work each day. I remember then I worked, it seems like the pretty sunshine was always out then I worked and then the bad weather came on my days off, LOL. Don't know why I laughed . . . it's not funny at all.

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  15. Im just gonna wait til after Easter to work outside. I want to get my Lemon trees growing that I started and plant some egg plants in pots on the patio. I have already pruned my butterfly bush and its already blooming. I cant wait to clean up the patio and start doing more sitting outside.
    Lisa

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    Replies
    1. Hi Lisa, I would be interesting in seeing your pots of egg plant. That sounds intriguing, I've never seen them planted as patio pots.

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  16. Love your rake to hold your other tools, that is so neat, your shed looks great and I love your sign!! I bought seed packets and a starter kit but haven't actually planted anything yet, guess I need to do that today since it is wet and rainy, it has been that way the majority of the time so haven't had a lot of chances to get outside and work. Your wreath looks great, how neat to be able to make your own.

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    Replies
    1. I planted tomatoes and peppers in the house and will be getting them out to the potting shed in April to grown more before planting in May. I also started a variety of flowers but they have not done good at all. I think I'll try some more out in the shed when the weather warms up a bit. It's all up to the weather, so here's to warmth and sunshine :)

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  17. I'm so envious of your potting shed!! I am dreaming of something like that in the future! Oh no, spring has not sprung up here in the Laurentian mountains yet, we still have many feet of snow on the ground, though the days are warming up around zero. March cannot be trusted in this area lol...nor April, we'll still get snow for a few months I'm sure. But my window garden is so cheerful and the sun is shining! Your sign is so cute and the wreath is great!! :)

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    1. You must have to be a snow bunny to live up there . . . I get cold just reading about it. I do think that as you grow older your body needs more heat. Maybe in goes with having slower circulation. Anyway I'm in that time of my life when the years are becoming more significant because there are fewer of them in front of me. I'm a simple woman and gardening and puttering around with quilting and being outside as much as possible just makes me happy. My sweet husband built that potting shed using the old windows that we removed from the house to bring in plenty of light. It is actually 20 or more degrees warmer in there when the door is shut. I'm not sure about night time, so I still start things like peppers and tomatoes in the house and then take them out there in April. Keep dreaming and saving toward your dream home . . . never give up, because I can tell you from personal experience that dreams do come true :)

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    2. Oh thank you Connie, your words of encouragement mean a lot to me!!! And I do agree, as I get older, I can't tolerate the cold anymore. But I want to keep living in Canada, and we can't really afford the West Coast where it's milder, so we just have to find a way to endure the longer winters! I'm the same way though...the pets, garden, artwork, kitchen and my relationship...that's really all I want and need to make me happy, simple gal here too! :)

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  18. Looks like you got a good spring start already. No spring weather here yet but we do have a sunny day.

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    1. You certainly had your share of snow this year. If anyone needs a sunny day it's you . . . Enjoy!

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  19. Oh Connie, I had forgotten about your little greenhouse/potting shed, and all the sunshine you'll get there. Yes, I've been out doing what little I can. We've been thinking alike...I've been out planting little trees too...so far, four of them. Surely warmer weather will get here soon. I enjoyed your last post about your house. You have done so much! Love the picture of you both in front of your new home.

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    1. Buying this old house and moving to the country has been one of our smartest moves. We love this sweet little acre and feel so blessed to be living here. Thank you for you're kind words. Your a sweet blogging friend.

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  20. It's nice to have a place to keep your tools and I love that wreath you made. We usually prune in Feb...different depending on where you live! Enjoy your weekend! Hugs!

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    1. In February here there's snow on the ground and it's way to cold for any gardening chores.

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  21. You're a very eager spring bunny. What a wonderful grape vine wreath. Your yard is lovely. Your creative spirit shines everywhere

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    1. And you dear blogging sister are a sweetheart, Thank you :)

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  22. Hello, busy Connie! I just love your potting shed. I wish I had a cool little place like that to do all of my planting. Guess my front porch will have to suffice. Love the hand sign you made for the potting shed, too. Unfortunately, not much in the way of gardening chores around here just yet. It is still too darn cold. Though my sweet husband was out earlier today (it's only in the 30's, but sunny) raking the front yard.

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    1. It's still cold here too, but I'm doing all that I can to get ready for warmer weather. Raking leaves, cleaning up and get beds ready for planting. It has helped me to get outside in the fresh air for a little while each day . . . except when it's windy, rainy or cold, which is half the time, LOL. Today I spend reading . . . it's nice to have a good book :)

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  23. Yes, it's good to get outside and do some chores! I love it, too! Love your wreath and good that you got some pruning done! I love Spring!!!

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    1. Somehow Spring just brings us out of hibernation just like it does the bears, LOL. I seem to have more energy when the weather is warm :)

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  24. For whatever reason, I just don't seem to be able to get out and do spring yard cleaning, the way I want to. Been to cold every time I. Say, "today is the day". I love what you are doing to your yard, all the pruning of trees. We so need to trim our trees to. I especially love the small branches wreath. It's fabulous.

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    1. Hello and welcome to my blog. I love making new friends. Hopefully it won't be long until the weather is warm again . . . March is kind of wishy/washy, but April should be much nicer. Spring clean-up is more fun with the sun shining :)

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  25. Ahhh...Spring. It looks like you definitely got a start on things. We had a warmer day today so it is in the air but not there yet. Can't wait!!! I didn't know you could prune the grapes back. We have just left ours but it would be nice to clean them up a bit. Happy Spring!

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    1. I have a friend that has parents that have worked in orchards and vineyards most of their lives and she is the one who told me to trim them back every year. I'm just a novice, learning as I go :)

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  26. Hello Connie, it's nice to meet you! Thank you for stopping by Froggy Designs. Glad my little painting experiments sparked a creative thought in you. I'm following you back. Love your little house. Mwah I've given mine up and moved to an apartment. So much easier for me and lets me spend my time finding ways to stay creative despite an encroaching disability. Happy Easter. Hugs, Nancy

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    1. I just want to encourage you to keep using what you have. Not knowing how bad your disability is . . . about 7 years ago I had an accident and I no longer can bend three of the fingers in my right hand. they are there, but they are stiff. My pointer finger works well so I still play guitar only I'm a strummer and not a picker. My hand tires out easy but I'm afraid that if I stop using it in any way that I can, that I will loose more mobility. I'm just here to say, don't let it get you down and don't let it break you. Life is good.
      Thank you for following me back. I'm looking forward to a sweet blogging friendship.

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  27. Hi Connie, taking some time this afternoon to see what my blogging friends are up to :) You've been as busy as always I see! Love the vine wreath you made. I have a couple of similar ones that I picked up from a neighbour's roadside (garbage) pile. I ripped off the fake Christmas stuff and have them in my backyard and train morning glory vines around one of them. I think if you soak the vines in a bathtub of water, they will become pliable again. I believe that's what people do with willow branches(?).

    I've read back quite a few posts, but didn't comment on all of them. Love the old photo of your house ... how exciting that would be to find the history of your house. It's awfully cute with the changes you made, and I don't think anyone would be bored looking at how your hard work has transformed the place.

    You are quite the artist with the painting you did for your sister. Really nicely done! I don't know if I missed a post, but I'm
    guessing that she has recently passed away. I'm sorry for your loss. Cleaning out a loved one's possessions can be an emotional task, but it looks like you're finding the happy parts in it. You have the same bright smile when you were 10 as you do today! Take care Connie, and have a wonderful Easter weekend!
    Wendy

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    1. Hello Wendy, girlfriend you touched my heart with your sweet comments. I'll bet that you are right about soaking those vines. After reading what you said I remembered making a basket in Vacation Bible School one year and our teacher soaked the reels that we were using. It is always a pleasure to have to stop by and visit, thank you, you have made my day :)

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  28. I think in many places Spring has been delayed ...
    I do like your wreath.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you. We are a couple weeks behind what our Spring was last year, even though our winter was much milder this year. It's always interesting in what the weather does and its timing each year. Sure makes it hard on those that make their living farming.

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