Wednesday, March 16

The poet e.e. cummings once said spring was "puddle-wonderful." It is. He also said spring is the time when "the world is mud." He was right about that, too. If your yard is more swamp than garden lately, is there anyway to take advantage of this springtime dilemma that is both a blessing and a curse? What about a rain barrel?

 
A rain barrel can turn lemons into lemonade when it comes to gardening. Free water at your disposal. Just remember to keep the lid covered when it's not raining to help keep mosquitoes away. It's also a good idea to put some netting over the downspout to your gutter to help keep all the debris out of the rain barrel. You also might want to clean out your gutters on a regular basis, but nobody really wants to be told that! Maybe a garden gnome will take pity and do it for you. Water plantain especially enjoys a swampy spring. AlismaSubcordatum can be found in our online nursery.