We have a week of on and off rain, but that’s okay because trees are budding and bulbs and perennials are coming up which is a sure sign that spring is here. My daughter and I rejuvenated her raspberries by cutting back and transplanting at least 50+ plants so the rain is good for them too. She won’t have many berries this year, but she will have a bounty to share next season.
My tomato and flower seedlings are doing well, and I moved them from seed starting mix to potting soil.
Although seed starting mix allows for seeds to root, it also dries out quickly and lacks any nutrients to sustain the seedlings.
The green awl pictured here that I use to make holes for seeds for seedlings belonged to my grandfather. It makes me smile with warm memories when I’m able to make good use of it.
We also cut up and hauled off more downed branches. I bought a 14″ Ryobi battery chain saw to handle the very large pine tree that fell. It allowed us to move it off the lawn area which was a huge accomplishment for this little family.
April is always a fun month where the snow shovels get stored away in the barn, and the outdoor furniture is brought out. Now, that’s a good thing.
Happy first week in April. 🙂
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For those gardeners concerned about dealing with Jumping Worms, here is the best poster I’ve seen that answers some issues.
This poster is free from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in case you belong to a gardening group or just want to share with fellow gardeners. Here’s a link.
NewEnglandGardenAndThread 
That’s a really good poster Judy! Thank you.
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You’re welcome. Wisconsin and Vermont have done the most work on this subject that I’m aware of.
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Oh Lordy! Now jumping worms? Just when I thought the horror of winter was over? Thanks for the info! I’ll be on the lookout and do what I can to wrestle them inside a plastic bag. For the past few years we’ve been dealing with an invasive yellow plant in the neighborhood woods. Gives my retired husband something to do! Which reminds me of how I took your advice from a few years back and bought him a reaching tool for his birthday. He’s been out there since snow melted picking up branches and enjoying the convenience!
My heart melted at your respect for the awl you use that once was gripped by your dear grandfather. I know the feeling and the warm smile that comes with it. I have my grandma’s wooden rolling pin and a few other cooking and sewing supplies. To me, it’s hurtful when I see estate sales with items like this dumped in them. Doesn’t anyone in the family care to put their own hands in the same place as a loved one did and relive those memories?
Your barn wall quilt is striking! Can’t help but notice every color gradation you’ve used from darkest to lightest. This principle of design was drilled into me by my Design 101 prof (Sister Lois O.P.- not to be challenged!) and to this day, I’m always checking for compliance!
Happy spring, Judy! You’ve got a bigger jump on it than anybody I know!
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I don’t know what the invasive yellow plant you are referencing, but when we were doing those raspberries, I was digging out Asiatic bittersweet with its orange roots. That plant can travel and spread like crazy, and most times I can dig as far as humanly possible and still not get it all. I at least have it at a point where I can use the weed trimmer to keep it in check hopefully. Those tools that allow those of us of a certain age group to pick up downed branches without bending over are priceless. I use mine all the time, and I’m glad he’s enjoying his too. The jumping worms are something else, and this poster was well done. I feel the same way as you do when I see things especially quilts on FB Marketplace. It makes me sad. Happy spring, my friend, and those window boxes will be full before long.
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I took a screen shot of that poster so it’s in my gallery now. I don’t have a printer, so this works for me! But I gotta tell you, if I have even one of those beasts in my yard and it starts violently thrashing around like a snake, you’ll hear me screaming all the way to NH!
Your Walking Iris is going to walk itself right into the Guinness Book of Records! Just amazing!
Love the quilt wall hanging and your color selection.
Glad you and Jennifer were able to rejuvenate her raspberries. You will all reap the results next year.
Happy April!
Ginger
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Screen shot works a lot of the time here. 🙂 Those worms are something else so look for the white band and if you pick one up or move it, it responds by moving just like a snake. Nasty. Yes, we’ll be giving raspberries away next season. 🙂
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Omigosh, my eyes went right to that awl! I could feel that wood. The old things we have are shaped for our hands — and our hearts too. Those baby plants are so lucky; there’s a tenderness in this image that says a true gardener is at work. How wonderful to have these signs of new life. As for your wall hanging, as always I am in awe, not just of your skills with fabric, but of your skills with colors — I think you have perfectly incorporated all the colors of the walking iris! Amazing! Thank you for all the inspiration. I can’t do what you do, but I can still be inspired.
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Doesn’t the green of that awl talk to you too? That shade of green can be seen underneath some of the brown paint in our current barn. It always makes me smile to see it because it is definitely a color from the past. I’m glad you liked the wall hanging. Just remember, I couldn’t write a poem if my life depended upon it. 🙂
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Cane berries rarely get pruned properly nowadays. They generally get planted and left to grow wild until they are overgrown and in need of renovation. I want to grow more, but am hesitant to add them because I know how their new canes start to grow before their old canes get pruned out. I have been watching them though, and am getting more comfortable with their cycle.
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I’ve had raspberries for about 15 years. I prune out the old ones at the end of the season each year, and that makes it pretty simple. This also keeps the remaining canes strong, and they have no issues with heavy snow or winds. The row we worked on had not been pruned in a couple of years so it took a while. I also dug up all the ones that escaped the row which we transplanted into a new row. We also had some invasive Oriental Bittersweet which required some major digging.
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April showers are always welcome. That green awl is lovely. Strange to say that about a tool, but there’s something about that awl. We are behind you by a week or two. I do believe it might be dry enough in the backyard to start picking up fallen sticks and branches. Finally, that poster is very informative.
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I’ve never seen the tree damage as extensive as it has been this year. The one storm with the heavy wet snow that lasted for a couple of days sure took a toll and left a lot of work for home owners. Yes, that poster was the best one I’ve seen so I wanted to share for those who might be interested.
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I think that storm hit your area harder than it did ours. Phew! Those storms certainly do take a toll.
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I’m hoping the showers continue regularly all summer, we don’t need another drought year. The 14″ Ryobi is a handy tool and saves a lot of handwork. We have so much deadfall, we’ll be busy for a while. I’m not looking forward to the spring rush after such a lazy winter. You’re inspiring me to get a move on!
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The Ryobi does work well except that is when you get it stuck in a trunk that was too big for you to work on. Now, that would have a made a post for those who have used small chainsaws. 🙂 I’m up to 18 truck loads of branches cut up, loaded, and hauled off to recycling. We have one more good sized one we need to get creative about getting down. One thing about spring, there is a never ending list of opportunities. 🙂
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Wow, 18! Steady on! 🙂
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I love the fabric barn quilt. The colors are fabulous and it looks perfect. Well done. As for spring chores, kind of dragging my feet saying that I’ll get started after Easter. Which means soon.
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Easter sounds like a good starting point to me especially after a couple of extra chocolates. 🙂
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I loved seeing your grandfather’s awl. That just makes my heart happy.
Your barn quilt wall hanging is beautiful.
Sounds like you have been busy with branches again.
Take good care and Happy Easter!
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Happy Easter to you, Nancy! I’m glad you liked the awl and the barn quilt. Yes, I am still cutting, loading, and hauling branches. We had more tree damage than I’ve ever seen before.
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Your quilts are so beautiful, Judy!
Can you believe we’ve been having snow flurries on and off all day. Winter doesn’t want to give up yet.
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Thank you. We had very light snow flurries over the weekend. I couldn’t believe it. Now, we are awaiting more rain. Oh well, it will help with the drought conditions here. Happy Easter, and I hope you get to see the little ones.
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I’m not complaining either because we too can all the water we can get out here.
I saw the boys over the weekend and took them their Easter gifts because we won’t see them this Easter.
I hope you have a lovely Easter, Judy! 🐥🐰🐣😍
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There is something special about putting away the snow stuff and bringing outdoor furniture out!
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There most certainly is. 🙂
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Thank you for sharing. Very helpful information.
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You’re very welcome.
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Your productivity always amazes me. I’m going to have to let the garden languish this year as I have to make a number of research trips this spring and early summer. I’ll dream of next year.
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It probably will enjoy its wild period. 🙂 Hope your trips go well and you find the results you are looking for. I applaud your dedication because I know ‘some’ of what it involves.
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You have certainly been very busy, and spring is definitely in the air! I loved your grandfather’s green awl, and I know nothing about them, but I can see they must be a great help when growing delicate saplings.
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It is perfect for making that center space for either seeds or seedlings, plus it just makes me smile to use it.
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Your barn quilt is beautiful and how awesome to be able to use your grandfather’s awl. I love your walking Iris! We must not get jumping worms around here. I’ve never heard of them and hope I never see one!
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Thank you. I hope you don’t see jumping worms because I sure wish I’d never seen them.
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Gorgeous quilt Judy! and how lovely to use your Grandfather’s gardening tool. I have some kitchen gadgets which belonged to my Grandma and I think of her every time I use one. Happy spring to you! Here it’s mid autumn but still sunny and warm.
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It is a warm fuzzy feeling to use a tool or kitchen gadget that belonged to family. Happy fall to you!
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Great post! It’s always exciting to see signs of spring, and rejuvenating plants is a great way to prepare for the season.❤️
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In general, plants are resilient, and it is always satisfying to watch them come back into their own after a trim.
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You must be exhausted. But I know it must be fun to be outside and working in the garden.
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It is satisfying to complete these projects, and it certainly provides an opportunity for good sleeping at night. 🙂
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I hope you have a great growing season.
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Me too. 🙂 I wish we lived closer, and I’d share some raspberries or blackberries with you because I know you’d come up with a great dessert.
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Judy, your flowers & baby tomatoes are beautiful!👏 Such a neat tool of your dear G’fathers to have and use! Yay for getting the trimming done on your daughters plants too! What in the world is a ‘jumping worm?’ Never heard of it before.😵💫
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The jumping worm consumes all the minerals in the soil and leaves a coffee grounds like material on top. It is a real challenge in many parts of the country. In this area, they are very concerned about our maple trees and the maple syrup economy. They are called jumping or snake worms. You might want to google them with your state and see if they come up. They are becoming so wide spread there is actually a group on FB that shares what little info is available including the fact that there is not a product currently on the market to combat them.
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Thank you, Judy. This is a new thing to me.
Blue Rock HorsesFrederick County, Virginiabluerockhorses.com
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P.S. Your barn is GORGEOUS!!
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Thank you.
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I missed this post on Monday, sorry. I was going to ask about the awl, so I’m glad you explained. I have some tools from my dad and grandfather, and I use them for special tasks. It really does feel good. The work on the raspberries sounds like quite a drill. I’m glad you finished and I look forward to photos of the harvest next year.
The rain hasn’t started here yet, but it’s certainly a gray day. I hope you have a nice rest of the week, Judy.
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Tools with memories are the best ones although these battery operated ones come in a close second for a mature woman. 🙂
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I do enjoy my power tools, but sometimes, stepping back and working with something you know your ancestors used feels very good.
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I’ve never heard of jumping worms, Judy, and don’t know if we even have them here in Wisconsin. The fact that they move like snakes? Eww.
It will be awhile before anyone plants anything here. Maybe another six weeks. But I have a friend in upper Michigan doing the same as you…planting seedlings and getting ready for the time they go into the ground. I’m getting the itch to pick out and pot flowers, but for now, I’ll just go buy some dirt.
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Wisconsin and Vermont are the two leaders in providing information on jumping worms. That poster came from WI, and I just received a package with brochures from them that we will distribute at our local plant sale. Brad Herrick at the UW-Madison Arboretum leads the charge to learn more in order to be able to either live with or eradicate them. More than you probably wanted to know. 🙂
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Thanks for enlightening me, Judy. I had no idea we have jumping worms, probably because I garden in pots. If they show up there, we might be in trouble!
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April is bringing lots of work but also much goodness. The Awl just grabs my heart. Yum, just thinking about tomatoes.
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That awl is special for sure, and a fresh tomato would be a wonderful treat.
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That’s quite something, transplanting 50 raspberry bushes! Love the awl – looks as though it would fit perfectly in one’s hand. I didn’t realize seed starting mix doesn’t have nutrients. Do you add something?
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It was quite a move, and I hope a good percentage make it. I use seed starting mix because it is so light and allows the seeds to sprout easier, but it also dries out quicker. Then when they have two sets of leaves, I move them to potting soil that has nutrients. There are some seed starting mixes that do have nutrients.
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