You know… that Blog?

My Back Yard (aka coming to life)

Written By: Jenn - Apr• 06•10

We had the wussiest winter I ever recall here in Ontario. Where my fellow Bloggers to the south in the US were getting dumped on and messed with by Mother Nature, she apparently forgot all about us here in Toronto! We got so little snow that not a single snowman made an appearance at our house, and the toboggans remained in the garage. We have just bid adieu to the first March in recorded history where we didn’t get a crystal of snow hitting the ground.

Consequently, and because we had near-summer temperatures all of last week and into the weekend, we have an early spring happening here! Plants that never poke their heads out until later in April are well underway. Take a walk with me in my back yard, and I’ll show you.

Look at how green the grass is! Granted, it didn’t get all the way brown over the winter, but in the space of a few days, it has become vibrant again!

My french lilacs are in full bud, and doing really well by the looks of it. Note to self: Plant hanger is looking less rusTIC than rusTY – time to replace it!

These gorgeous delicate wildflowers are everywhere… they’re called Blue Eyed Grass, and we have 3 varieties growing hither and yon.



These paper hyacinth are about 4 weeks ahead of schedule!

These lovely orange tulips are timeless… our spring last year was so nasty, and everything was delayed. So in desperation for some colour, I put some dollar store fakes in the garden (and never removed them!) ;)

Remember Floyd? He’s still here, guarding the serviceberry trees. Hard to imagine that these scrawny sticks will become lush with green leaves, and heavy with berries in only a few weeks’ time.

My lovely heather – how I wish it would bloom all season.

So much work still to be done – doesn’t matter how many times we cleaned up the leaves in the autumn, living in the “rural” part of town means you never get the job done.

And colour me happy that I have an early reason to use this lovely screen door fob now! Thanks for the gift, ShaMoo! I should get one at dog-height so Sadie won’t keep trying to plow through the door in the dark…

I’m itching to get my planters done, but I realize it’s still too early for that. I might just get some hanging baskets this week, and bring them inside if there’s a risk of frost… I’m happy that our many many (TOO many) gardens are full of perennials, and only require some minor upkeep.

Thanks for joining me on my walk!

 

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11 Comments

  1. Thom says:

    Well it sounds like you experienced the kind of winter we have here in Hawai’i. :) Well maybe not as close but it sure looks like it from all these pictures. I can’t wait to see the French Lilacs and the tulip is gorgeous. I love them. Is that a pool I see at your house? Boy it sure does look awesome. OMG I went back and read the post on Floyd. What a riot and great photos there of those beastly birds.
    .-= Thom´s last blog ..April’s Photo Contest: What Easter Means To Me =-.

    • Jenn says:

      Heehee, those tulips are fake Thom ;) I “planted” them last spring when there was NO colour at all in that garden. I just never bothered removing them, and they make me happy. Totally tacky, but oh well.

      Yeah, Floyd rocks.

  2. Tortuga says:

    Wow, gorgeous yard! I admit, I am officially jealous!!
    .-= Tortuga´s last blog ..Monday Minute =-.

    • Jenn says:

      Thanks, but it’s a LOTTA work, let me tell you. Takes 4½ hours to mow the lawns with a tractor (which I’ve never had to do, thankfully… isn’t that why we get married??) Don’t even get me started on the gardens.

  3. Betty says:

    Wow! You have some back yard! Looks gorgeous and I hope you show us some pic´s, when everything is green and full of leaves. Looks like paradise to me! :) Then again, any place with water (did I see a pond?) is like paradise to me.
    .-= Betty´s last blog ..The Happiness Project =-.

  4. quilly says:

    Lookin’ good, Jenn! What a lovely, big yard you have!
    .-= quilly´s last blog ..My Cozy Office =-.

  5. Melissa B. says:

    Lovely snaps! Looks like Spring is in full swing EVERYWHERE now. Our temps topped out at 92 today, though, which is a tad toasty for April, don’t you think? We’re getting back to our more normal 60s come Thursday. PS: I’ve got a GREAT haiku for you tomorrow! :)

  6. shakira says:

    Wow.. Spring is here! I love Spring and Autumn best.
    Everything looks absolutely gorgeous!Thank you so much for sharing the pictures with us.
    hugs
    shakira

  7. ShaMoo says:

    Yes, you have the best yard EVER! It is so gorgeous in the summer…. I’m so touched that you have your little “Buggy Treble Clef” in the screen already!! You love me :)

  8. Annie says:

    That is one beautiful backyard. It’s huge! I feel sorry for the one who has to do the mowing. For years I begged my husband to hire a lawn service to do the mowing for him. He refused saying that mowing the grass was like therapy for him. Whatever…
    .-= Annie´s last blog ..Whats been on my nightstand. =-.

  9. Love, love, love these pics!! I especially love the birdy on the plant hangar! Nice to see you Jenn!
    .-= Jenny from Chicago´s last blog ..Sneaky Bunny =-.