Planning the Planting

After seeing the flurry of bird activity in my backyard yesterday, I dug out the garden magazines once again.  Spring is around the corner and I need to make some decisions on what will be planted in my expanded back yard.

I have the winter birds taken care of but want to ensure that my summer feathered friends are taken care of as well.  The feeders are well stocked through the summer but I need to replace some of the 'leafy trees' that came down for my home construction.  Since then, many of the warm weather birds and all of the squirrels left the yard and I want to lure them back.

I planted a few shrubs in the fall.  I'm hoping that the dogwood and the ninebark will grow rapidly.  The squirrels used to love running along the branches of the old pines.  I've got some new mountain pines planted just for them.

I'm still looking for more bushes or trees with berries such as mountain ash, chokecherry or sea buckthorn.  My choices need to be rapid growers and 'non-fussy' as to where they are planted.  This will take a bit of research but I am hoping that it will be sorted out before spring thaw so I can get them into the ground as early as possible.

 

In addition to the trees and shrubs, I'll be making sure that the holly hocks are replanted and that the trellises for the scarlet runner beans are put back into place.  The hummingbirds will appreciate having the fresh blooms supplement their sugar water in the feeders.


 

A raised garden bed and a strawberry patch have to fit in as well.  So many ideas, so little space.  I'm getting excited just thinking about how much fun it is going to be to re-create my yard.  Bring on spring.