Southeastern Wisconsin Spring Cleanup
When you hear the first robin in Wisconsin, even if you are still wearing gloves and a scarf along with your heavy coat, you know its coming. The golfers come out, Harley’s start roaring, and then - finally - the first crocus emerge from their winter slumber. I get so excited - it’s like the equivalent of kids seeing the first snow fall every year.
This weekend, I did my outdoor “spring cleaning.” The hostas and day lilies are popping through the leaves that never got raked last fall. My forsythia buds are waiting their turn as they bloom after the tulips and daffodils. (Although, you can wait until a few weeks before Easter to trim the bushes and bathe them in a warm-water soak to imitate a spring rain. They will bud in about a week so you can time a fresh yellow Easter arrangement!)
Pachysandra babies are everywhere and ornamental grasses are a mix of tan and green. Ahhh…spring. Life is pushing its way into the stems and buds. Soon, the berries (wild raspberries, serviceberries, and mulberry tree) will produce our one or two jars of wildberry jam (which my husband adds a pinch of ground black pepper to bring out the sweetness and flavor). The jam is gone in a week - as word spread and it gets spread on everything good.
I really enjoy Wisconsin for its seasons - but spring is my favorite of all, especially now that I have a home with sunny spots to grow all my favorite fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The smells, colors, and transition into our warm summers gets me so excited for things to come!
Posted by:
Deborah Benavides
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