There’s something about this time of year that feels like a race between enjoying what’s blooming now and preparing for what comes next.

The tulips were absolutely beautiful in the cottage garden this spring, but yesterday was all about making room for the next season.

As much as I hated disturbing those pretty blooms, we spent the day digging up tulip bulbs from the raised beds and moving them to other garden spaces where they could settle in for years to come.

Because next weekend? It’s seedling transplant time.

And if you know me, you know I’ve been counting down to that moment.

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This Week at a Glance

This spring has been full of surprises, and not always the good kind.

The weather has been all over the place lately. One day, it feels like spring is finally settling in, and the next, we’re dealing with hail. Hail! In April. That definitely wasn’t on my garden bingo card.

And now today is supposed to hit 72°F.

The temperature swings have been so inconsistent this year that I keep second-guessing myself. Am I planting too early? Too late? Is Mother Nature just keeping us all humble?

Even though I usually wait until mid-April here in our Pacific Northwest Zone 8B garden, I still always get a little nervous when transplant time gets close. But if I wait much longer, those seedlings are going to outgrow their pots and start staging a greenhouse rebellion.

So next week, we plant.

Spring gardening really is just one long trust exercise.

Fingers crossed.

Greenhouse Check-In

The seedlings are ready.

Actually… they’re more than ready.

At this point, I think they’re politely asking to leave.

That’s why getting those tulip bulbs moved felt so important this week. I needed those raised beds cleared and ready because once transplant weekend arrives, everything moves fast.

I’ll be hardening everything off over the next several days and keeping a close eye on the nighttime temperatures. We’ve had enough weird weather lately to make every gardener a little suspicious.

I’ll also be using shade cloth after planting since those unexpectedly warm sunny days can be just as stressful for young seedlings as cold nights.

In the Garden

Some of the daffodils are already fading while others are still hanging on, which feels very on-brand for spring around here. Nothing arrives or leaves all at once.

The Japanese roses are blooming beautifully right now, too, and the alliums are getting so close. They haven’t opened yet, but those big, round buds are standing tall and making promises.

You know I’m watching them daily.

The Ferns Are Back

Do you remember when I shared how I cut back all my outdoor ferns every year?

Every March, we cut them all the way back, and every year, I have that tiny moment of panic where I wonder if I’ve been too aggressive.

And then this happens.

The new fronds start unfurling, slowly and perfectly, like little green scrolls opening one by one.

You gotta love nature!

Dahlia Splitting Called Off

I decided not to split my dahlia tubers this year. This year, I decided simplicity sounded better than another big project.

But I thought it would be fun to share a couple of pictures with you of the past splitting process.

I’m not sure why my dogs feel the need to supervise every single gardening project, but apparently, splitting and moving dahlia tubers requires full participation.

Whether that means sitting directly where I need to dig, stealing plant tags, or simply offering emotional support from the middle of the pathway, they take their jobs very seriously.

From This Week in Years Past

Looking back at old garden photos, this time of year always reminds me of how quickly things change.

One minute it feels like we’re waiting forever for spring, and the next the garden is overflowing, and I’m wondering how it all happened so fast.

The dahlia photos especially made me smile this week. It’s a good reminder that even when the garden still looks like work, the beauty is coming.

Sometimes we just need a little patience.

On the Blog This Week

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

Salted or unsalted butter? That is the question.

How to make a distressed napkin decoupage lamp.

I don’t think you can get any better than banana bread carrot cake with vanilla cream cheese frosting, do you?

This house has history and soul.

These are the cutest terra cotta clay herb markers.

How about these refreshing lemon vodka drinks?

Have you ever wondered if you could paint plywood floors? 

Here’s an easy skillet cheesy green chile enchilada bake recipe for Cinco de Mayo.

Looking Ahead

Next weekend is the big one… seedling transplant weekend.

The raised beds are almost ready, the greenhouse was full, and I’m trying very hard not to check the weather app every 30 minutes.

No promises.

For now, I’m soaking in the tulips, watching the alliums prepare for their moment, and enjoying these early spring days before the garden shifts into full summer mode.

That feels like a pretty good place to be.

Until next time,