Yesterday before I left to install a garden for a homeowner I pulled 500 garlic mustard from various places on our landscape. I know that my persistence will prevail and keep them from going to seed. A little at time is better that putting one's arms up in despair and giving in to their need to occupy space in unwanted beds. So remember your other plants will appreciate your efforts as you remove invasive garlic mustard.

The garden that I installed yesterday was a cut flower bed that had transition of blooms the entire summer with colors of yellow,white, and pink. It now with provide beauty to them both outdoors and indoors throughout the summer.

We had a mild frost last night which only proves that the weather in Illinois (Midwest) even in May is quite unpredictable. Though the perennials and shrubs can handle it any tender annuals or vegetables that were not covered may have had a short life in 2009.

Enjoy your spring of 2009 and just take the weather as it is sunshine , rain, or (cold ..brrr)

My day yesterday was in maintenance as I repaired and cleaned any bird houses in need. Then weeded all our paths while transplanted any seedlings that had made a inappropriate home. I would not want the young tender plant children to be trampled.

Next I edged around the flower beds with my straight shovel to create the clean neat trench that I can mulch later today. I am not one to put in the plastic edging or metal, for in my opinion the grass just grows under being as persistent as it desires to spread.

Our pond has been inundated with tadpoles, and thus any cleaning will be delayed till they are bigger.

My loyal and reliable chipper will be put to use today, and then I will use my leaf/wood mulch to give all the beds a healthy layer. This will help them retain necessary moisture to thrive.

I am a little late on amending my roses this year with systemic fertilizer, for I generally like to have it done by end April.

To my fellow gardeners remember a little time and care will have immense hours of pleasure in reward as you gaze upon the blooms provided.

I returned last night from a week of creating landscape beauty on a magical piece of property in Fish Creek, Wisconsin (Door County). Long days of hard work as we created a granite fence wall on both sides of the entry drive each having shrubs & perennials to create a very country look. Many other projects completed that gave me as a designer very much satisfaction.

Today I told myself would be a day of rest, however, as I strolled our property to observe all the blooms that arrived while I was away GARLIC MUSTARD caught my eye. I just took a break after pulling over a thousand. Then some ferns were begging to be transplanted away from the edge of the yard.

It seems to me that gardens are like young children always in need of tender care and love!!