I was just looking through my photos taken during the winter, when we had snow here!! I remember thinking, how lovely to have this time to get things done, plan my garden, declutter! Well, that ship has sailed!!
Now, summer is approaching, we are experiencing spring and I’m really wondering just where “all that time” has gone!
I’ve actually done a lot of decluttering (much more to do) and have been spending time doing what I love doing! Gardening! Playing with our lovely cat Spoiler.
He’s so very sweet .. and, like all cats, cannot resist a paper bag (or a box or any kind of container) … he saw this bag on the kitchen floor and quickly went into the safe world of paper bag:
Once inside … he noticed “feather” .. he has many of these. They used to adorn my desk displays, but, he preferred them to be on the floor so he could play. He’ll throw them up in the air, then he goes into all kinds of crazy contortions, as he plays with them.
Suddenly, inspiration struck and just after I clicked this photo, away he went .. on some other adventure!
Brrrr .. outside in the backyard …a few months ago. This is my Favourite Tea! Yorkshire Tea!!
Lovely blooms in March …
Wow .. .I was so happy to see these growing! A few years ago, I salvaged some native plants (I belong to a group who salvage plants when changes will be made to areas) I cannot remember the name, thought they were Fawn Lilies, but not able to find any photos. I’ve kept them in the same container since the day I brought them home. It has sat, quietly in the side of the yard. Happy to see they have prospered. I should find out what they are in a month or so.
Around mid March I prepared flats of coir for my peas .. here they are, nicely labelled. Such a sophisticated gardening setup .. don’t you think? I’m composting in Rubbermaid garbage cans, they work really well!!! And here are some bamboo lengths that I use to create structures for the garden.
More excitement in the garden, the peas have started their magic!
This photo was taken a week or so ago and the seedlings are much bigger now .. still, there is that magic! The magic never goes away …
Spotted Towhee .. love them ..
White Crowned Sparrow ….We have so many birds visiting our yard all the time .. a joy to watch. A Barred Owl spent the day in January … I’ll post photos later .. I was over the moon as I’d never seen one and had been thinking about that when suddenly .. I saw him!
This years garlic bed layout! A few days ago, I dug up self-seeded garlic (about 30!!!) and transplanted them into some large circular planters! Yum .. yum .. garlic!!
Not sure if it is clear, but here I am forming “tunnels” that will run perpendicular to the back of the garden. I use the bamboo lengths and various extendable fencing items to create “walls” and a “roof” for all my vining plants to grow. It’s really cool! The tunnel isn’t straight, it curves slightly, adding mystery to the garden. In my mind’s eye .. I see what this is going to look like this summer.
Those large containers all contain the most beautiful compost!!!! I’m adding this to the tops of the beds that I’m preparing. Sheer gold!! Can you see the bricks .. these are my little beds for the peas that I will plant in a few weeks. Since this photo, I’ve created more “walls” where all the vines will grow!!
I’ll be planting a variety of beans, squash, they will be growing happily in the sun .. transforming this bare skeletal structure with lush green and delicious flowers for the bees to feast on!! In the middle of this area I will create a little seating area where I can sip Yorkshire Tea, do a Suduko and have little Spoiler Kat outside with me.
Every year it’s the same thing. I dismantle last year’s growing area and think .. what on earth can I do to create a different layout. And every year … the new ideas appear .. from somewhere and I’m always so excited.
Once the actual layout has been determined .. then I will fill in the walking areas with some beautiful Century oak wood chips. Right now they are patiently waiting at the side of the yard. Once they are installed, this will brighten everything up.
Also, I have some lovely unsprayed straw that I will use for topping up my container potatoes.
Sigh … I love the magical energy of gardening.
This city, Victoria, is simply mad with Snowdrops popping up everywhere, gracing the tiniest of spaces with these delicate flowers… as soon as the snow disappeared, they emerged from the earth. Silent reminders of beauty and joy.
Below, photo taken this week .. snow has gone (yea!!) and the flowers are still looking great.
My little garden bench .. where JaneE loves to perch and await her treats! I liked the way the sun brought out the shadows which always adds interest. 
Leaves decorating the frozen water in the bird bath. I replenished the water so that the birds could bathe. 
Honestly, these sweet little flowers just add so much beauty and carefree energy to the garden .. love them!
One of the many reasons I love taking photos in the fall .. so I can remember how beautiful nature is. Took this photo last week. Nothing like a cheerful sunflower to brighten the atmosphere, n’est-ce pas?
And this venerable rose bush, another tough as nails plant! I planted this – maybe 35 years ago? I swear it lives on love as I rarely water it even during the hot summer. It does not mind a heavy pruning and just seems to flourish. The Anna Hummingbirds love this one!
Alpine strawberries. I do not plant these in the ground as they are tenacious and would soon cover the yard, as I discovered a few years ago! Now I just keep one plant in a pot and that is enough. Yesterday, this caught my eye, I loved the dainty flowers against the broken clay pot. This .. to me .. is true beauty of the best kind.
A few days ago, I gathered some pumpkin seeds and scrapings, placed them on a Rubbermaid container lid for the birds to feast on. Our lovely JaneE (nearly 22 years old now) loves pumpkin squash and I caught her eagerly dining on this! She soon stopped and walked away to her little bench. The Stellar Jays noticed this food and quickly made this disappear. I noticed one of the Jays swallow a seed whole, snatched up another and flew away to rest in one of the trees!
Another one .. beautiful!! I did take some little wedge sections for my garden .. couldn’t resist doing that.
On the way home, little baby girl was so sleepy .. and worn out from pacing back and forth in the car, she finally succumbed to dreamland. Love her so much.
And the great scape escape. I had a feeling, while I was hanging bunches of garlic to dry beneath the sundeck, that I may have missed a scape or two. Proof here that I did!! I could plant the seeds and in a number of years of replanting, I might receive a regular garlic. Might just do that for the fun of it … but will need to clearly label the container!!
Sipping my mug of Yorkshire tea, I wander around the yard a bit .. this also is a ritual that I follow. To see all the changes that Spring has brought to the garden. And enjoy the sweet little songbirds. Here is a little 
My Garden – Mon Jardin – Mi Jardin – Mein Garten - Daily Adventures & Thoughts 