We had 2-3″ of snow on Tuesday night, after almost every little bit of winter’s snow had melted.
And yesterday, when this photo was taken, my plants — ordered from Fedco in dark January — arrived, ready to plant. Into a bed I haven’t yet sheet-mulched. In a yard that I haven’t touched since early last fall.
So today, with temps in the high 30s and as most of yesterday’s snow melted, I ventured into the yard to see what’s been damaged, what’s growing, what work I need to do to prepare the plants for their best chance of happiness and prosperity.
I spent most of an hour getting rid of the fermented apples that are squished all over the patio, grass and garden beds; they now live in a large pile the strip of “forever wild” in the back of our property. Enjoy, birds, deer, raccoon and bear!
Then I started cutting back perennials — which I do in spring and not fall, so insects, birds, and other animals can find habitat, a place to land or perch or hide, and because I like the way dried grasses and seed pods look above the snow. Most of what I cut is in a large compost bin that’s really more of a bin for woody things and leaves, while the tall and sturdy Joe Pye Weed stalks are standing nearby, ready to stake some of this year’s plants.
I also weeded a bit, tossing them into a far dark corner of the back yard, and while I was close to the ground, I took note of new growth at the base of perennials. I also noticed a lot of fresh deer pellets, both inside and outside the (short) fence.
I finished prepping the back yard and the peach guild today; tomorrow I’ll explore and freshen the front yard and side yard, plus start the sheet mulching of the side yard bed (more on that project later). Hope to get my Fedco plants in the ground by the end of the weekend.
Below, some images from the afternoon:
