Spring has Sprung!

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I been getting ready for Spring for what seems weeks. I ordered and received my Behren's water troughs.

6' x 24" x 24" so a nice raised bed

 

They are great because they have a built-in connect for water in the back, so they can tie in with a bubbler or sprinkler system. I got six to start - four that were 6' and two that were a little longer than 5'.

I got a total of six troughs.

 

I drilled holes in the bottom of them, primed and painted them black. I then first filled them with 2 inches of gravel, and then a combination of top soil, Miracle Grow Planter's Soil, mulch and Perlite. Each one of the planters took about 7-8 cubic feet of soil.

Then I arranged them to border the garden, imagine Hydrangeas and climbing roses on the back and Peonies and Dahlias. I have smaller tubs for the blueberries, lavendar and day lillies and I have ordered two more large tubs, so I can accommodate all the roses that I have ordered.

In the last week, the  Magnolia tree in the backyard is telling me it is time to celebrate Spring. As I began work on my new Behren's "water trough" planters last week I could see that the buds were starting to unfold. 

My Magnolia tree getting ready to bloom. My smaller planters getting primed and painted.

My Magnolia tree getting ready to bloom. My smaller planters getting primed and painted.

This week, the tree is in full on bloom.

My Magnolia tree in full bloom.

Mom sent me a batch of Peonies for my birthday, which I quickly planted. Some of the plants had little green shoots, so fingers crossed, they will take hold this year.

The Grandma's selection of long stemmed Peonies.

The Grandma's selection of long stemmed Peonies.

So my Peonies and Dahlias are in the big planters and I have lettuce and tomatoes in the smaller tubs. I've ordered my two more big tubs in anticipation of my roses arriving this week.

The barest, bare root roses, I've ever seen.

The barest, bare root roses, I've ever seen.

Two climbing roses, four Hydrangeas, 12 Peonies, four Lavender, four Day Lilys, four Butterfly Bushes, two Blueberries, two Roto, five more rose bushes, honey suckle and geraniums on the front stoop, four tubs of tomatoes— two of lettuce  and a handful of Dahlia bulbs all over.

I think I may have too many plants! Stay tuned.