March 2010

 It's an unbelievably early SPRING for us here in NE Washington state...and we are LOVIN' it!!  It seems that this Spring is just the antidote for last Spring...when we had almost 2 feet of snow at this time, and it seemed like warm weather would never come!  But this is different!  My roses are starting to swell little leaf buds and some of the shrubs and perennials are starting to wake up.  No crocus blooming yet, but the snow drops are in full glory (as glorious as they ever get, the little sweeties!).  The daffodils are starting to bud up and the hyacinth and tulips are breaking through the soil.  I LOVE the smell of Spring as the grass starts greening and the leaves on the trees start forth.

 This year's bird population at Mingo Gardens has rivaled other years as chickadees, gold and house finches, rufus-sided towees, junkos, red-wing blackbirds, robins, song sparrows, cedar waxwings, meadowlarks, kill-deers, and other wondrous birdies "hold forth" on the morning breeze trying to woo a mate.  There will be nesting going on everywhere soon.

 The plastic, woven deer netting we use to keep those marauders out is up and "the battle is joined" as we carve out our floral "oasis" here in whitetail land.  Many people ask where we got the netting--we ordered it from www.Gemplers.com It's a good thing I caged and wrapped all our trees and shrubs--when we take the netting down by the road (snow plow), the deer do major, major damage to any unprotected plants!  Aaaarrrrgh!

 BIG NEWS!  Colville's Wynne Street Nursery will be up and running again April 1.  I am thrilled because I will get to work there again this Spring.  Bil and Polly Donnelly run a first rate nursery with a full offering of perennials, roses, ornamental trees and shrubs, fruits and vegetables as well as bedding plants and annuals.  Another thing you can always count on at Wynne Street Nursery is competent plant advice and friendly service.  Bil's plants are far and away the best quality plants available in our area.  And, guess what...Mingo Gardens is FULL of plants from that great little nursery!!!  Can't wait to start work!