May Day 2011--Some help in the garden today

There couldn't be a better spring day than today!  Even those days when we were young and my sister and I made construction paper cones, filled them with flowers picked in our yard (and others' gardens), and delivered them to neighbors by hanging them on their doorknobs, could not have been better. 



My garden man (husband, Larry) got us going early this a.m. because the mulch was available gratis behind the clubhouse. He got out the red wheelbarrow, his garden spade, his red plastic tub and his galvanized tub, and began to tote and spread mulch on the back garden.  I worked ahead of him cultivating lightly and dividing and replanting or potting up some Creeping Jenny, Shasta daisies, Black-eyed Susans or Rudbeckia, and Catmint or Nepeta. 



'Big Smile' tulips just bloomed today

I also pulled out and discarded as much Artemisia as I could in an area just off the paver block patio beneath the deck.  The roots were everywhere and I am sure that it will re-emerge to become the scourge of my garden.  I purchased Artemisia ludoviciana 'Valerie Finnis' from Jessica's Garden which is not supposed to spread as much as older cultivars.  It is over by the air-conditioner and staying contained in its space.  I don't know where this particular plant came from--but I would like it gone!

All clear of Artemisia in lower left now--but just wait!

We could have used my grandson William's help today. He is very good about working in the garden with us.  Last year, he helped me put in the watering area by finding and laying the local stone and filling the space between with landscaping pebbles.  We could have used his help with the wheelbarrow up and down the hill, filling and emptying the tubs, and spreading the mulch, as well as making a few more rocky water runways below the downspouts.

The water area near the hose outlet that William built last year.

I had a big smile in the garden today--just like my tulips.  It's great to have help with the heavy work.  Thanks to Larry for making my May Day enjoyable. I am grateful for the help of husband and grandson alike in keeping this garden a delight.