Hi GPODers!
Yup, it’s 2025 —- one year older (just entered another “decade of years”) and (hopefully) one year wiser. Speaking of wise, I find it wise to get out there early and get things cleaned up and ready for the sprouts. I find this critically important due to my gardens not having “open” places for footing so getting the turf cleared early allows me to just watch things grow.
I have coined myself a “mix-em-up” and “crowd” gardener because I realize that the plant and bulb growers SUGGEST specific plant-spacing. I’ve heard many suggestions in my life and some I listen to and some I don’t. This specific suggestion, well, I don’t.
As my gardens continue to be dynamic and ever-changing, they all do have one thing in common —- all of the plants in every garden have lots of “friends”. Friends take up space and friends don’t let weeds sneak in. Many of my perennials spread by themselves and others I split and place the “kids” elsewhere.
Once mid-June comes around, any weeds are looking elsewhere for footing and I’m then into official viewing-only mode. Mulch ? Nope —- I like the natural turf (where it can be seen — ha). Color schemes? I don’t really focus too much on that —- I haven’t found two colors of blooms that I could say, “You girls don’t belong together” and sometimes, those “weird” color combinations make a sort of “asymmetrical statement” — like someone who is wearing a nice suit but has blue hair. I guess that I’m just a rebel when it comes to conventional, traditional gardening with ultra-clean lines and spacing. All of my perimeter on the property lines are on their own with ostrich ferns, wild daylilies, Soloman seal, bachelor buttons and wild phlox (which blooms well before “domestic phloxes”), wisteria and the sweet, sweet smell Hall’s honeysuckle.
With that said, here’s a sampling of my little world for Spring 2025. As always, I wish the best, most enjoyable and most “successful” gardens for everyone —- just don’t focus too much on that “success” part —- it’s all in the eyes of the beholder. ONE, and ONLY one will know when their garden is a “success”.
As always; Peace from the Mohawk Valley in central New York State
Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
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