04.19.10
Spring and Springing into Action
Spring is just a busy time of the year. For me it seems busier than the fall holidays. There is just so much to do. A lot of it is just plain hard work as well.
The Extension Service in Alabama furnishes a calendar for gardener’s which is a great asset for those like me who need help with keeping all the spring chores in mind and organized. It starts with January and has a ‘to do’ list for the garden for every month, even the cold months in the dead of winter. Granted, the warmer months have longer lists. But if I faithfully followed this calendar, I’d be very busy every month.
I’m behind in April already. It is time to spray the fruit trees, plant shrubs, plant seed or grass for the lawn, plant the vegetable garden, plant flower bulbs and annuals and perennials. Then there are the regular chores like weeding flower beds and watering plants. Grass cutting kicks in as well. April is definitely one of the busier months.
On top of the Extension’s list, I have several projects going on in addition. It has rained so much this past winter that we lost some of our backyard soil, just washed down the hill into the cleared pasture. So we decided to outline the edge of the backyard with cross ties and place cedar and holly’s to help the erosion problem. Plus these trees are helpful for attracting the birds.
Another preventive chore for early spring is spraying our decks with water-seal to keep the wood preserved as long as possible. Then there is the yearly pressure spraying chore of the house to remove mold and mildew, spider webs, etc. These two chores are time consuming and not easy for those that are just now getting around to shaping up after eating all those rich foods during Christmas. But the end result is very gratifying.
I love working outside in the fresh air and sunshine. The smell of fresh plowed earth is a special part of spring that those of us who live in rural areas are familiar with and enjoy each spring.
If I had been smart, I would have done the inside spring cleaning when it was still cold, windy and wet. Since I didn’t get it all done before the beautiful weather started, I now have to split my time between the fun outside and the not so fun ones inside. The sunshine and great weather outside will motivate me to spring more into action on the inside chores. The quicker I get done, the quicker I can get my toes into that fresh garden soil outside! Maybe I can be finished by Earth Day on April 22. That’s a good goal.
Happy Earth Day and Happy Gardening!
