Perennials are Waiting….
Memorial weekend is the big planting and yard work time in Alaska. My yard is still an acre of ungraded dirt. We discussed our job with the excavator in mid April, so that we could be early on his list. Every week he promises he’ll be here next week, now he is down to “I’ll be there tomorrow.” We’ve heard the tomorrow date all week. I’m anxious to get things growing, but down the road a few years it won’t matter and we won’t remember the frustration of waiting.
Meanwhile I have filled every available pot with annuals and have them all over the front porch, the back patio and the front walk. Hanging baskets grace the porch posts. That’s about all I can do until topsoil is delivered and the final grade is done. Meanwhile I’ve been collecting perennials and am leaving them in their pots for the time being. So far I plan to plant Hostas, Asian Lilies, Ferns, Himalayan Poppies, and a variety of ornamental grasses on the shady side of the house, and hearty roses on the sunny lake side. I’ll start with a small garden and add a few new perennials each year. The main focus this year will be to establish a lawn.
It is another beautiful warm sunny day, I’d better go water the pots.
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist
