Spring moves fast.

It feels like we just welcomed the first crocuses and hyacinths, and now the daffodils are fading, the tulips are wrapping up their show, and the lilacs are beginning to bloom. The garden changes almost daily this time of year. If you blink, you miss something.

The alliums are getting ready. The peonies are teasing us. And May always feels like the month when the garden finally exhales.

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In the Garden This Week

With the tulips cleared from the raised beds, we spent Friday and Saturday filling those spaces with the next round of seedlings.

After watching a few flower varieties struggle with transplant shock last year, I put up shade cloth over the beds for a few days to help them settle in, and it made such a difference.

At least at first.

The shade cloth idea felt so smart…at least until the wind picked up with 25 m.p.h. gusts. I was too frustrated and frantic to find it funny in the moment, but untying everything as fast as I could while it flapped and pulled? Yeah. That happened.

Some zinnias took the hardest hit. By the next morning, though, they had straightened back up and looked like nothing had happened. Resilient little things.

The greenhouse, for the first time since January, is starting to feel almost empty.

That’s because all the seedling trays are outside. These are all the trays that we still have left to plant or give away. And there’s more. Much more.

Oh…and there’s more.

This is when I make a note in my journal to buy a lot fewer seeds next year.

Next Up… Deck Prep

Next up is the deck: after pressure washing today, out come the area rugs, pillows, the water feature, and all those small things that signal summer is actually coming.

This is one of my favorite parts of the season: choosing colors and textures, and cheerful blooms to bring the porch back to life.

Getting Ready for the Growing Season

We also checked the irrigation this week. We tackled the sprinklers, drip lines, and all the small repairs that somehow multiply over winter.

It’s not the glamorous side of gardening, but getting the watering system sorted brings real peace of mind once everything starts filling in.

SHOP Drip System

SHOP 8-Zone Sprinkler Irrigation Remote Control

I’ll be working on getting all my window boxes and containers planted this week as well.

A few other things worth noting:

I planted some new columbine this week.

Our Blackhaw Viburnum is blooming beautifully right now.

And even though the raised bed tulips are long gone, a few late-blooming varieties are still putting on a quiet little show around the garden.

This is the season I wait for all year; the shift from planning to planting, and from waiting to watching everything begin.

On the Blog This Week

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

Are you planning to watch the Kentucky Derby? Here’s a mint julep recipe just for that occasion.

I had so much fun reading about repurposing old tools into succulent planters.

How about some crispy carnitas tacos for Cinco de Mayo?

Here’s a gorgeous home from the portfolio of Ashley Montgomery Design

This savory crockpot bourbon meatball recipe looks so good!

I found the most amazing home in the Marie Flanigan Interiors portfolio.

20 essential decorating measurements you need to know.

Looking Ahead

Opening Day at the marina is this Saturday, which means next week will be all about getting Wildflower ready for the season. We’ll be taking people out on the water, which feels like the official start of summer around here.

The garden is filling in. Boating season is beginning. We’re stepping into one of the very best stretches of the year.

I’m so ready for it.

Wishing you a week ahead filled with fresh flowers, a little dirt under your nails, and plenty of sunshine.

Until next time,