reviving the garden

its finally warm enough to take my indoor-wintering plants outside again. they made the move this weekend...right in time for a windy rainstorm. but they seem to have survived! all the dead grass and leaves also got cleared over a productive afternoon. here's a quick look at the progress so far:

those lovely pink and orange ranunculus (ranunculi?) are actually newcomers this season. the spring colors make me instantly happier. the rubber plant was sheltered from the freeze in our guest room and looks happy to be back outside. the leaves of …

those lovely pink and orange ranunculus (ranunculi?) are actually newcomers this season. the spring colors make me instantly happier. the rubber plant was sheltered from the freeze in our guest room and looks happy to be back outside. the leaves of the climbing hydrangea come back each year without fail, but i'm keeping my fingers crossed for blooms this year.  

no idea what this lush thing is, but it looked tropical so it went indoors too. it's grown some since the fall too! i've returned it to its shady spot on the table right outside the door. 

no idea what this lush thing is, but it looked tropical so it went indoors too. it's grown some since the fall too! i've returned it to its shady spot on the table right outside the door. 

these grasses are coming right back! I'm soo pleased.  

these grasses are coming right back! I'm soo pleased.  

the ones next to it aren't doing as well though. I've been anxiously examining it daily for new shoots.  

the ones next to it aren't doing as well though. I've been anxiously examining it daily for new shoots.  

the cherry tree always looks so good in the spring and early summer, only to succumb to mildew in august. hope i can avoid it this year!

the cherry tree always looks so good in the spring and early summer, only to succumb to mildew in august. hope i can avoid it this year!

I loove these mini "blooms"...the stonecrop turns purple later on but they are a nice green now. so glad to see they survived this year's crazy temps. 

I loove these mini "blooms"...the stonecrop turns purple later on but they are a nice green now. so glad to see they survived this year's crazy temps. 

willa lounges in a sun patch while i work... 

willa lounges in a sun patch while i work... 

what else should I plant this year? I need to put in my herbs soon...i'm thinking rosemary, thyme, parsley, and basil. the mint is of course coming back by itself (weed that it is) and so have the garlic chives (super excited about that since i didn't expect it). I also picked up a little pot of oregano at the farmer's market. man do I love spring. 

the plant sale!

the brooklyn botanic gardens had its annual plant sale this week. the weather was totally uncooperative (i.e., gusty winds and flash floods), but it cleared on the last day so i went to check it out. i'm glad i didn't let my laziness get the better of me, because it was awesome. i know my love of plants is old news, but i get seriously giddy around all this green. 

plants on plant on plants.

plants on plant on plants.

i really wanted to eat that rainbow chard right then and there.

i really wanted to eat that rainbow chard right then and there.

it's almost better than the regular gardens, because if i like it, i can have it. (within reason.) the bbg sale was a lot cheaper than going to a regular nursery. there were a bunch of japanese maples, red clumping bamboo, peony bushes, loads of herbs and lettuces, succulents and orchids, and hundreds of other plants i have yet to make friends with.

a big bowl of hens and chicks. 

a big bowl of hens and chicks. 

also, they had these little red wagons in lieu of shopping carts! it was cute to see all the little old ladies pulling these radio flyers around. i kind of want one now. they seem handy for all kinds of things. 

my little red wagon of plants: blue grama grass, coleus, lemon-scented geranium, and yarrow. 

my little red wagon of plants: blue grama grass, coleus, lemon-scented geranium, and yarrow. 

this yarrow (achillea) has fuzzy fronds.

this yarrow (achillea) has fuzzy fronds.

this geranium is deliciously lemony.

this geranium is deliciously lemony.

thanks for coming along, sarah! who wants to go next year? 

the giant tent, set up on the cherry esplanade. 

the giant tent, set up on the cherry esplanade.