The spring planting season began here today. I had a tree order and a bulb order in, and the ground has finally thawed, so we spent several hours with grubby hands this afternoon.

SeaHolly, Crocosmia and Siberian Iris into the youngest child’s (newly created) bee garden. We dug the hole for the fencepost upon which to hang the bee house, also…and hit water 2′ down.

Sea Holly potted for the butterfly garden-to-be that goes up sometime next week, and 3 more scattered through the orchard area.

Asian pear, 2 American Persimmon, 2 Pawpaw and 2 Butternut trees planted, a red currant mom brought from home transplanted, and a peony and second Siberian Iris planted up in her area.

Tubers for both american groundnut/hopniss and crosne/chinese artichoke are currently in 10gal grow bags and will likely spend at least the year there.

Tomorrow is busy – have to get the windshield in the van replaced in the morning (took a rock, then the rockchip turned into a massive crack) and then afternoon is a swimming pool outing – the first in about 6 years. I am a bit nervous about that, but there are 4 adults going for 7 kids, so should be okay.

Saturday is supposed to be nice. We’re hoping to be able to finally plant the peas and lettuces we couldnt two weeks ago because it was still frozen. I’ll also try to get rings around all the new plantings. I’d rather they not get swallowed up by weeds and die.

I know for sure that my other tree order isnt due for another month, but I have a small-plant/shrub order that will be coming in at some unknown time. I need to do a bit of pre-planning for that one as it contains some very thorny things.

In the germination situation, I have savoy, high mallow, caucasian spinach, punks, icelandic poppies, armenian cucumbers and pink alyssum above the soil so far. I also recieved three more types of seed in the mail from my brother – st John’s wort, Russian tarragon (although my French is showing signs of survival) and black hollyhocks.  I also still have KonSuito rice to seed out, but that needs another 2 weeks yet.

We had a starling in the loft yesterday. Just about drove the cats demented. I think we got it out, but if it got in once, it can get in again. Looks like more sprayfoam will be necessary. Birds in the attic may be better than bats in the belfry, but I’d still rather avoid both.