Well, it’s spring . . . I think!
Monday started out with record breaking heat. Which got me outside and working in the back garden early in the morning (not really too early since I had to get my husband and son out the door, but while it was still cool anyway).
I enjoyed a good couple of hours engaged in spring weed pulling and garden clean up. I’m embarrassed to admit there were several things I should have done last fall but didn’t. So, I had to get those things taken care of first thing.
One example is the catnip. As an idea to deter our four – yes, I said four – cats from spending so much time in other parts of the garden, I planted a ring of catnip around a medium sized juniper. It does serve its purpose, but . . . have you ever grown catnip (or catmint as it’s also known)? If not trimmed faithfully, it can become quite the nuisance.
I put off trimming the catnip back last fall and left the stalks standing through the winter. This spring as I went out to begin my garden prep and winter cleanup, I knew I couldn’t avoid it any longer. The hard thick stalks that had once reached into the branches of the juniper were now folded over and covering the new shoots of Periwinkle vine (Vinca minor) and Shasta daisies (Chrysanthemum maximum). It had to go!
After cutting out last year’s growth, I uncovered the plant’s new and highly fragrant growth – much to the joy of our cats, who now stay under the juniper, rolling and rubbing themselves silly on the stuff.
Now that the flower beds are cleaned up after the winter and the water system is turned on, I’m thrilled as I watch the flowers and plants emerging once again.
To see a garden in the spring, so full of fresh, new life after the long, bitter winter is to renew one’s faith in God and revive one’s spirit.
Sounds like a full day! Gardening is so relaxing, yet so much work! Hopefully, we’ll get to see some pics as the garden progresses?
I had catnip and mint both in my former house, and “voracious” is an understatement. They’d been planted by the previous owner and left to go rampant (which they did with glee). I finally got it cut back, and dried a good bit of it for my two darlings after letting them roll in some fresh stuff. They were in heaven.
Thanks for the comment! Yes, gardening is a lot of work, but as you said, relaxing at the same time.
I have peppermint in my garden as well, though in a separate area from the catnip. I keep it pretty well under control though since I like to use it fresh in iced tea in the summer as well as drying it for cooking and alternative health and beauty uses.
I will definitely post pictures of the garden as it progresses. I have some from the first and second years as well that I intend to share — coming soon!