Rita :I have to remind myself you are a month ahead of us. I will try to grow tomatoes on the deck this summer.

Really cannot plant tomatoes here until late May......Lucy, I like the color combo for the trilliums......

Forgot the nicest sign of spring...my neighbor's magnolia! The house has been empty for 2 years now, but someone is fixing up the place for a daughter, who right now is residing in MA with her family.....

Good luck, Jo Ann.

Beautiful, Robin. Ours is in full bloom right now and it's magnificent. Still waiting for the Redbud to show off.

I planted my tomatoes out last year on April 26th and the year before on April 28th. Years before that they went in very early May. But I do push it.

Our Cornealian cherry has yellow flowers. We don't seem to see it well up close, but it is nice from a distance. After bloom, the leaves appear.

Newyorkrita said:So I bought my tomato plants today, that means it truly is spring. I brought them in just now but in the morning they will be going back out.

So I watched the local weathernews. Looks like I can plant them out in ground on Saturday.

My tomato seeds sprouted and are growing nicely-to go to community garden. However, given this yeat's weather patterns, gonna wait til mid May to plant them. Transferred them to larger pots yesterday, and are out on the deck-will bring them in at night. Not supposed to plant tomatoes til Memorial Day in this area anyway.

It's not though early planting does wonders for tomatoes, peppers (or crops that like it warm), nor is it good for impatiens. Too early and there's a risk of poor performance or even death.

Yes, they say plant at mothers day here. I don't think most people do it the way I do and it works for me. First off the compost warms the soil and generates heat. Then the thick carpet of straw mulch. Each plant gets put in a protective layer of thick straw. Been doing it this way for years and they seem to do very well.

That magnolia is gorgeous!!!!!!!

Thanks...hope the new owners appreciate it.....don't know when they'll move in. The house, which was originally a carriage shed, needs a ton of work.....Rita, that sounds like a smart way to grow toms....they do love the heat.....

forsythia in bloom everywhere. We saw a lovely magnolia tree opening it flowers.

Forsythia is blooming like crazy across the road......birds love to nest in there....

they always hide in my neighbors.. and usually yell at us while decorating for halloween

Their territory! Hawk kill in my driveway.....squirrel or mourning dove....lots of blood!

Let's hope it is a squirrel so its friends will stay away from the garden. Small chuck hole in one of the iris beds so John has plans for a 'bomb'.

Son is down back now hunting 2 woodchucks that are making a mess of the field.

Hope he gets them.

ugh ugh ugh

He shot one... but there were 3 in all so far.