March Musings 2026
March greetings fellow gardeners and nature enthusiasts,
Snow mounting up on the porch over looking the north side of the snow!
The temperature is finally above the freezing mark midmorning on this 5th of March. Winter is wobbling- spitting snow one minute, sleet the next, and then rain. It wants to hold onto its grip, but I know Mother Nature has other plans. I feel the heat of the sun when it’s out, but clouds too often hang bleakly gray. There is still way too much snow, but shoveled pathways are bare and gushy. Other years, I have a lot of snow cleared beyond pathways, allowing these areas to thaw quickly in our strong sun. Water quickly seeps into our very sandy soil, and “mud season” lasts only a day or two here on the Knoll. Unfortunately, we aren’t so lucky this time around. We’re in for a sloppy mess for too long a duration, thanks to all that snow and cold.
I’m impatient, as most years I have snowdrops blooming by now, with crocus quick behind. It looks like their spot still hails close to a foot of the white stuff. Yet in the front of the house against the warming foundation, I see ½” tall, spikey crocus leaves emerging through the mulch. So late, but that’s the way it goes.
Anyway, the main reason for this early blog is to give you a heads-up on a major product line change. Blue Seal has decided to discontinue our beloved Safe ‘N Simple lawn care products. Yes, that’s both the Safe ‘N Simple Weed Control and the Safe ‘N Simple Lawn Fertilizer. Believe me, we are more upset about this than you. We have recommended and used these products for 30 years, with remarkable results. This has been quite a blow to us, but we’re not taking it sitting down. We have diligently researched alternative products, attempted to procure custom blends (without it costing an arm and a leg), and finally have settled with an Espoma organic program that is comparable and cost-effective as we can get (at least for now) to the Blue Seal one. Because time is of the essence, we are working out details and prices so that our program will be available in our April flyer. We will keep you posted on our social media sites as all this falls into place. We sincerely hope that you will stick with us and give this program a try. We’ll be right there with you!
Switching gears, what’s happening on the Knoll front? It’s SNOWING again… It’s the 6th today; I want this all gone! I refuse to shovel anymore, except for an area in the chicken pen. I need to “persuade” their feathery little butts to get outside- especially the two brooding hens. They aggravate me substantially! At least last spring’s rowdy Blue Rocks are laying big-time now, a nice reward and counterbalance.
Snow on the North side of the knoll! Enough snow already!
Prior to the “blizzard”, and on a few occasions thereafter, I was able to use the snow cover to reach a good part of the old crabapple tree to do some further pruning. The rest will require a ladder- ugh! There is a lot more of this work to be done around the yard once the snow is gone. When is that? June? I’ll believe the upcoming warm forecast when I experience it. In years past, I’m usually done with pruning by now.
That brings me to a quick aside. If you didn’t already know, Gene and I are now the infamous bionic duo. He is recovering from a total hip replacement as I write, and I’m finally gaining on my knee replacement. This predicament puts the kibosh on a lot of productivity for both of us. Spring clean-up, (much of which didn’t happen last fall), plus all the indoor stuff, will present a challenge, to say the least. These bionics better do their thing, ‘cuz I am frustrated! Oh yeah, and throw in that pesky age factor to add insult to injury… Quit complaining, Judith!
I saw my first redwing blackbird, complete with flashy epaulets, on February 20th. Our regular winter array of birds keeps us watching and listening. The double tailback suet feeder close to the kitchen window sees lots of activity. Bluebirds, Carolina wrens, male and female downy woodpeckers, a red-bellied woodpecker, juncos, titmice, and chickadees are frequent visitors. I was super excited to hear an owl hooting away a couple of nights ago. Gene says he’s establishing territory; I believe he’s out carousing!
Lastly, as of yesterday, I’m testing a couple of seed varieties for germination. They are a year or more out of date, but I can’t find them anymore from our suppliers- or elsewhere. Here’s hoping for success.
I have not sown the seeds for the garden yet, because of the disruption of late. Plus, I think it will take longer this year for the soil to warm up. As I keep saying, I don’t want to hold onto plants indoors any longer than I have to. Last month’s blog, when I claimed that I would be starting peas on the 25th of February, didn’t happen. I’m not at all concerned with later sowing; I know everyone will take off upon hitting that warm soil. Rest assured, I’ll have windowsills full of sown seeds in a couple of weeks. I’d better see soil surface by then!
That’s it for now.
Judy
PS. I am still unable to get a picture of the winter-damaged, south-facing rhododendron I said I’d get to you this month. The boot-sucking, very unstable snow is just too deep. From a distance, the shrub seems to be looking a bit better. I’ll try again soon for that pic. I’m interested to see how it comes through come bloom time (if it blooms).
PSS. Here’s the toll-free corporate Kent Nutrition/Blue Seal hotline number if you choose to register a complaint about the discontinuance of Blue Seal Safe ‘N Simple lawn care products: 1-866-647-1212.