We are digging trees and creating more space

We are extremely busy at the Garden Centre. John, Gord and the boys are busy digging trees as this is the month to dig, just before the leaves emerge. Plus we are increasing the size of the Garden Centre in the back and it is starting to look great.
In all the commotion nature seems to take it's course. Here is Mourning Dove that has nested in one of our spruce trees on site.

It's the beginning of Lust in the Garden - Magnolia's

We have been busy.  Today I (Amy) decided to walk around with my camera at one point while running around, this is just the beginning of a long beautiful season of bloom, foliage and dirt. What more could a girl ask for?
Almost everything is bare root these days and there is lots to choose from. Blueberries, strawberries, rhubarb, trees, fruit trees, shrubs, did I mention trees?  The list goes on and on. For myself, I have purchased so far, 1 Reliance Peach, 1 Amelanchier  arborea 'Robin Hill' and a 'Crimson Frost Birch' Betula pendula, all at bare root prices! Bonus is I am putting them in now and they will have a good start on the season with leaves emerging in their new home, my house! How difficult is it when you are inundated every day with visions of foliage, bark and structure that you crave? It's not easy being green!
Then there are the magnolia's, which one? Some one suggested today that she wouldn't mind a magnolia for Mother's Day, not a bad idea. Here are shots I took today for your viewing pleasure, believe me it's mine. This is just the first of bare roots at Baltimore Valley to connect you to your home and family. One customer told me today that his 3 year old daughter was just thrilled last summer when he pulled a carrot out of the ground in their vegetable garden. She was ecstatic and could hardly contain herself 'I didn't know carrots came from dirt!' Now there is a girl after my own heart. That joy of dirt and what grows in it is good for the soul. Here is a photo of John working, toiling away with trees, that is all he is doing these days, spading trees, digging trees, moving trees and he has some great ones. These are sugar maples that he has spaded or dug, now they have been safely potted, balled and burlapped then brought to the store and he is pruning them. It does not end. April is a busy month for John and Dawn they are both wearing many hats, but the end result is beautiful and makes my job easy.

Bare Root Sale - we are busy!!

Now is the time of year when everyone at work wishes they could clone themselves to do all the tasks that need to be done. Dawn is on her computer, entering stock, printing labels, she also the 'goddess of I can be anywhere you need me at this moment' woman. Dawn also keeps us on our toes (us employees, Marianne and Amy) by keeping us up to date on what is what and where it goes or how this is done. Amazing! Even Emma is busy with stock and pricing plants.

Heralds of Spring

What are your heralds of spring that encourage your thoughts to wander out of the cold snow and ice of winter to the wonders of spring's beginning.  Does it occur in early February when Wiarton Willy or Puxitoni Phil start to emerge from their winter slumber claiming to hold the secret to springs arrival.  Or, perhaps you anxiously await the sighting of the first Robin to enforce the idea that winter is finally coming to an end. Another favourite amongst gardeners is the start of Canada Blooms where we can escape into lush gardens overflowing with tulips, rhododendrons, and flowering crabapples in order to once again enjoy the lush colours of spring.  Whatever your herald of spring is  I have a new one that is as accurate at the Farmers Almanac.  Spring has truly arrived and winter is finally over when Odus, our 200 lb pot bellied pig emerges from hibernation and wanders outside the barn.  This miraculous event happened for the first time this year on March 3.  Now I have become more aware of the Golden Chain Tree whose buds are showing signs of agreement with Odus, and the daffodil bulbs that are awakening from their slumber.  We can all rejoice, spring is close and soon the Garden Center will be overflowing with wonderful plants and the greenhouse will be filled with colour.  Thankyou Odus.

What are your Heralds of Spring?