Spring may have come but winter hasn’t quite left, not just yet. Last week’s glorious weather had stoked the urge to get out and begin the early spring gardening chores. I started (off as I usually do), by removing last year’s foliage from the all of hybrid hellebores, followed by the peonies. Next I had started in on cutting down the ornamental grasses in the lower garden, as I also burned off the little prairie that’s down there. I tossed the removed grass foliage onto the patches of the prairie that were still a bit too damp to burn without a little extra dry fuel.

The fine spring weather continued and the garden responded. All of the early, spring flowering plants took advantage the warm sunshine, much to the delight of my neighbor’s honeybees

Down in the Pit-House (protected from chillier nighttime temperatures), the stock from this year’s early plant orders were really starting to take off. Out I the garden, the Eranthus and Galanthus were at their peak bloom. Several of the clumps of G. nivale needed dividing, and as I planted out the divisions, I figured I might as well get all of the new plants from Carolyn’s Shade Garden (as well as the new Eranthus and Galanthus I brought back from a recent collecting trip), into the ground as well.

And as if just waiting for me to make such a move, “Old Man Winter” rolled right back in.

Now, this sort of thing really doesn’t cause much of a problem for these early spring-bloomers. In my garden, anything that can’t handle this sort of treatment has perished long ago. However, I am unsure of how my new transplants will fare. Fortunately I have plenty of bagged oak leaves on hand, and so not to risk it, I went round the garden and top dressed all of the transplants with dry leaves to offer some protection during this cold snap (20 degrees F last night and 13 degrees forecasted for tonight)!

No idea if it’s needed but I’m not willing to risk doing nothing, especially with old favorites and new treasures.

While I was at it, I decided to cover other treasured plants (whether it’s necessary or not), it only took seconds and the dry leaves will simply to be brushed aside when the warmth returns come Wednesday.

Wishing you the best in your garden and looking forward to warmer days!