GEARING UP FOR A GREAT YEAR.

This weekend has been all about getting ready for a great year. I spent yesterday gathering supplies, items such as soil and gravel for planting, and getting them put into the shop. Today I prepped a couple hundred planters. This may seem early to many, but when you stop to think about the number of plants we carry, and getting them all planted and ready to go it really isn't.

I also got the filters cleaned in the large display pond and cleaned out the pumps. The fish seem to be enjoying the increased flow of water, as I didn't clean the pump last week. It would be nice to have the door open on the house so I could hear the water flowing.

I took a few minutes to take a look at the Sarasas and Shubunkins that were spawned here last year and am pleased with their progress. I also noted that the water lilies are putting up their first feeder leaves.

While most of other plants are lying dormant waiting for the water in the ponds to warm up a walk through the yard showed new growth on many plants. Daffodils are breaking the ground and both the irises and day lilies are shooting up quickly. Sprouts on the Gloriosa Daisies surprised me. Many of the ground covers have also began to grow. I received a very nice moss last year, that is almost fern like, I was worried it wouldn't take as I got it in November, but it is doing nicely. I guess I shouldn't have worried about it so much as I also noticed a beautiful crop of moss coming up in the yard.