Recently, I noticed posted comments – ‘when are you going to post more about gardening in March?’.  Well, while March in central VA – Richmond – started with normality, it concluded with a freeze, snow and back to back cold misty gray days which stalled my outdoor activities. Since today has the promise of late p.m. sun and a warmer temperature, I plan to resume my activities.

Since it was cold, misty and gray, I turned my attention to designing a garden for a local client and was remind of changes in my installation strategy. Due to the fact that for the past two years we experienced significant mid summer drought, I recommended the new design start with installation of  zone 1 (near a water source) and for this spring, only install planting areas that were somewhat sheltered by the home’s SW shadow and reached by the site’s water system. Then in late Sept when my area fall rain cycle starts, have the woodland areas and wildflower meadow installed.  

Because we for the past two years have experienced back to back more than 100 degree days with little or no rain fall, last year I implemented a ‘Wright recommends fall planting strategy’ campaign, http://www.pr.com/press-release/276419. And, frankly, I presently have no reason to believe that the summer of 2011 will be different. Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion related to the effect of global warming but to make it simple – dry seasons become more dry and wet/cold, more wet/cold; in other words, more extreme weather patterns. Still, it is ‘living green’ that mediates these patterns so we need to do everything we can to install and maintain ‘living green’ landscapes.

Nevertheless, my ‘cool season’ plantings of veggie and berry bearing plants prosper. And, I'm presently waiting for warmer soil to start installing 'warm season' veggies.  So far, my strategy of a poultry fence is deterring  the geese. And, the perennials forwarded by Skagit Gardens for installation

·         Campanula ‘Viking’

·         Centaurea ‘Black Sprite’

·         Coreopsis Big Bang™ ‘Cosmic Evolution’

·         Coreopsis Big Bang™ ‘Star Cluster’

·         Gaillardia Commotion® ‘Moxie’

·         Scabiosa Mariposa Violet

survived the cold spell and move forward with growth.  And, my new 'test' Greenland Gardener Raised Garden is not only installed but inspired the grand-kids to have their parents install above ground garden boxes, too.

Today is  April 1^st and as long as the weather works for me, I’m headed out to continue ‘digging in the dirt’ - are you? What have you planted in your 2011 garden?