to push the growing season. There certainly haven't been many warm, gentle days to lull a gardener into feeling secure enough to plant early. Unless there is a dramatic turnaround, this gardener will most likely be planting late and that hardly ever happens.
The first lily-flowered tulip has opened. One lone 'Ballade' variety lights up the back corner of the garden in front of the terra cotta bird cloche.
Speaking of birds, a robin that has been faithfully sitting on her clutch of eggs outside my kitchen window (for close to two weeks) had a horrible day. I wish I could have helped her but I was too late spotting trouble ~ those dastardly grackles took three eggs out of her nest right under my nose:
It makes me mad and sad at the same time.
I've usually had success running them out of the yard by this date but my neighbor has made it infinitely harder by continuing to feed them. I'm sure that's how they spotted her. I know it won't be long before they get the final egg and that breaks my heart.
Meanwhile, this weekend will be another cold one ~ in the 40's with a chance for snow (!!) and rain. ugh. I guess we'll keep waiting for a warmer forecast....
Oh those Grackles are the meanest birds. I caught one throwing eggs out of a nest last year and got my sons BB Gun and scared it off. My garden is going to be late this year for certain. With rain everyday or every other day the ground will not get dry enough to even till my garden. When it does get warmer and drier it is going to be a hectic time to catch up.Have a wonderful weekend Kathleen.
Posted by: Lona | April 30, 2011 at 08:58 AM
So frustrating and depressing. Sometimes I wish nature didn't have to be so destructive and harsh. It sort of puts those rose-colored dreams of a perfect garden of Eden on hold. Sorry to hear the temps have been so cold for you. We've been chilly, too, but temps in the 50s and 60s which isn't too bad. Here's hoping May is a winner!
Posted by: PlantPostings | April 30, 2011 at 09:39 PM
Yes, spring is very slow to reach us this year. Love your tulip!
Posted by: Kala | May 02, 2011 at 02:37 AM
Poor mother Robin, it's sad to see those things happen.
We had a great day yesterday and now it's back to cold and wet. Trying to keep my hopes up, but it gets discouraging the longer this bad weather lasts. I hope we all get at least some nicer and drier weather this spring.
Posted by: Catherine | May 02, 2011 at 01:52 PM
Grackles are such tremendous thugs. We lost a nest of Flycatcher babies to Jays last year, and I know how heartbreaking it is to see nature raw and up close. I'm so sorry about the Robin eggs. On the upside, it might still be early enough in the season that she may still lay a second clutch of eggs this year. Hopefully out of the view of the grackles!
Posted by: Curbstone Valley Farm | May 03, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Hi Kathleen,
Poor Robin!! Nature can be cold and heartless. The odds seem stacked against it, but I really hope the last egg makes it.
And speaking of cold, it has been wet and freezing here for days. The daffodils have finally opened, but the rest are all waiting for more balmy days.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 03, 2011 at 11:53 AM
Kathleen, I feel your pain! I guess we'll be going from winter right into summer. What happened to our spring??? There were not many days where it was warm enough to go out and enjoy it. I'm looking forward to our 75 degrees days this weekend.
Posted by: Ramona | May 04, 2011 at 03:15 PM
It's been a hard spring for many gardeners across the country. Hope things warm up and stay that way for you soon.
Posted by: Racquel | May 05, 2011 at 10:24 PM