Patriot's Day weekend

The weather was glorious so we got a lot done. Greg's nephew Matthew helped out on Saturday. We amended the soil in the vegetable and flower gardens; amendments included compost that Matt and Greg screened. (Very satisfying to feed that monster every week and have it produce gold eventually.) Flower bed included lime, humus/manure blend from Home Despot, peat, some old "Cock-a-doodle-doo" organic fertilizer that's been lying around, and some alfafa (if it works for the roses, why not the flowers?). Scratched alfalfa and Rose Tone around the roses. Exhausting work.

Sunday pruned the roses and treated roses and peonies with harpin (Green Guard from Gardens Alive), a plant protein that is supposed to stimulate growth and natural immune response. I'm mainly interested in the latter. Pruned the lavender. Fertilized the peonies w/slow release and 5-10-5. We purchased some johnny jump ups and bellis at Russell's; need to pot them next weekend. Greg direct sowed fava beans, radishes, escarole, cutting lettuce mix, arugula, carrots and scallions; planted mail order onion plants. Inquired about Bullseye Bioinsectide at Russell's. They don't sell it; no one seems to, need to research online.

Monday, I cleaned up the daylilies and scratched in some slow release fertilizer and 5-10-5. Greg helped out by watering the roses and spraying them with dormant oil, and spraying the peonies with anti-fungal copper soap. Planted a phlox and campanula (chettle charm) that arrived from Bluestone perennials last week. Discovered that all my dahlia tubers were rotten. May order 1-2 replacements or just do without this year. Still have hellebore (5), helenium, quince (toyo-nishiki) and tricyrtis from Bluestone to plant -- next weekend. Bought a ridiculously expensive watering can at Needham garden center.

There was quite a feeling of accomplishment for all three days' work. Gardening, like cooking, is one of those hobbies that I derive a great deal of pleasure from, but which is simultaneously relaxing and anxiety-inducing. Anxiety inducing because it can feel overwhelming, and certain chores must be done within fleeting windows; there's always one more thing that seems to need doing and must be put off.

Both lilacs are chock-full of blooms. Can't wait for them to come out. It's one of those things you pine for all winter.

The other highlights? Mysterious clog in downstairs bathroom sink. Clothes dryer broke down. Service person coming Friday.