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Chad has been making these very sweet planters filled with annuals, a small perennial and a foliage plant. Once they outgrow this pot, all the plants can be replanted and repurposed for other uses. It is like a mini-nursery of your very own. A perfe…

Chad has been making these very sweet planters filled with annuals, a small perennial and a foliage plant. Once they outgrow this pot, all the plants can be replanted and repurposed for other uses. It is like a mini-nursery of your very own. A perfect gift, and the perfect way to welcome spring.

I am finding so much relief in the garden these days. I hope you are taking time to notice all the small emerging plants, the subtle changes day to day, and finding solace in how the plants are behaving 100% normally. As we re-arrange our lives around a virus’ logic, the plant world marches on beautifully. Lily was mentioning how nice the flowering bulbs are this year, with steady cool temperatures and no serious downpours, the blooms are holding up so well and lasting a very long time. Daffodils are not face down in the mud, and the spring color show will linger for a while.

Here are some ideas and jobs for the weekend:

Prepare the garden beds We are all eager to plant and to get out in the garden, and while there are many frost tolerant veggies and herbs that can go out now, I would encourage you all to think ahead to warmer days and make sure that your garden dreams and reality line up. If you are looking to start a new garden or expand an existing one, now is a great time to do it. Clifford’s Lumber in Hinesburg sells rough sawn hemlock boards for raised beds, and you can get deliveries of topsoil and compost from a number of local businesses (we do not do that ourselves). Shoot us an email if you have any questions about preparing the garden. We want you to be ready when it is time to plant tomatoes! Because we are only doing curbside pick up and home deliveries, we REALLY miss talking to you all about your garden plans. Chad, Hope, Lily and I are all available to return calls and emails and talk shop with you. So don’t hesitate to get in touch. 802.482.4060 or info@redwagonplants.com (or just hit reply to this).

Watch this beautiful movie about Piet Oudolf and his work. The English museum Hauser + Wirth is allowing free streaming of the film, Five Seasons: the Gardens of Piet Oudolf, until midnight on Sunday. Here is the link. This will be such a treat, and I am going to watch it for the second time. Inspiration is at hand.

Order fruit trees. Our good friends at Champlain Orchards have started a fruit tree nursery. You can place an order now for pick up on May 2. Because of our curbside and home delivery system, we are not able to sell trees at this point, so we encourage you to support Andrea, Bill, Rupert and Rosa in their budding family nursery operation. It is a great selection with varieties that are often difficult to find. Here is the link.

Think ahead to gift giving for Mother’s Day May 10th. We ask that you place orders by Wednesday, May 7th to ensure pick up or delivery before May 10th. Some suggestions:

And finally, we would like to let you know about our Grow it Forward program. Every year we donate thousands of plants to area non-profits and schools for garden education and food security projects. This year, the need is greater than ever, and we are growing extra plants specifically to donate. If you would like to contribute to this effort, please consider a small contribution. And if you or someone you know would like to grow food this year, but cannot afford the seeds or plants, please reach out. We are here to help, no questions asked, and will do what we can to ensure that anyone who wants to grow a vegetable garden can do so.

Wishing you all health and happiness in the garden,

Julie