So, realizing that there may be nights when things get relocated to safer, frost free areas, we now have our ferns hanging on the front porch, miniature roses, chives, red sorrel, and a miniature potted clematis on the deck, and many other wintered over plants - such as our seed grown oleander - sunning themselves in the driveway.
Other tasks accomplished: The iris areas were raked out and dirt scraped from the rhizome surfaces, butterfly bushes, crape myrtle, knockout roses, Beauty Berry and hydrangeas cut appropriately back to a manageable height. We raked out our side yard shade perennial garden and back yard edge gardens. There is little to see emerging yet - Narcissus are budding, and Celadine Poppy and Jacob's Ladder is up and growing - and Bleeding Heart is just poking through the surface. Buddy (our male chocolate) is making quite a mess out of our backyard garden, so we will let him have at it - what grows, grows (just like last year). We also noted that some Phlox, Echinacea, and Columbine grown in pots are coming up well already.
All of my seedling flats spent at least part of the day in the sun - the tomatoes, peppers and eggplant now have that first important peek at the sun toward hardening off, and are progressing well. What I didn't get to you (perhaps today?) is a start on transplanting lettuce, beets, arugula, chard, Rabe and Asian Greens.
Finally - I told you it was a busy, productive day! - I planted the final tomato flat for our seedling sales; today I will do the final eggplant/pepper flat. Then....the fun begins as I plan for the additional tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant that represent my annual experiments.
What fun this is!