Well, it has been a journey so far. Here’s a quick recap of what has happened the last few years.
Winter of 2023-24: This was an odd one. So many thaw and freeze cycles throughout the winter. It would get mild and melt and then cold and freeze, and repeat all winter. We didn’t think anything of that until spring happened.
Spring 2024: After the odd winter, we were eagerly awaiting the emergence of our peonies. Imagine our dismay and grief when we walked out into our peony beds and the ground was more bog than garden beds, and there was very little growth. Turns out the peony beds were absolutely waterlogged and not draining. We ended up losing 60% of what we planted. Some rapid research on soil amendment, an arbourist friend willing to bring us a load of mulch and a whole lot of work and we were able to save what was left. We tilled up some of the unused beds, added mulch, tilled it again and replanted what was left.
Summer 2024: Summer was spent trying to keep on top of the weeding. We’d barely get one side done, start the second only to see the first was full of weeds…..again! We finally decided to invest in some heavy duty fabric and covered the beds. Sure saved hours of weeding.
Fall 2024: We tucked them in for winter and said our prayers.
Winter 2024-25: I think we spent most of our winter praying.
Spring 2025: Almost everything came back! Tilled another bed and got ready for spring planting. Spring planting was gifted to us by my neighbour – we don’t know what variety they are, so we renamed them Lydia’s Love.
Summer 2025: Spent the summer weeding and watching them grow. They seemed to grow so slowly.
Fall/Winter 2025-26: Another good solid winter.
Spring 2026: Everything came back!!!! There is an old garden saying that has held true:
“First year it sleeps, Second year it creeps, Third year it leaps”
And boy, has it leapt this year. Some of our bushes are 3 feet tall and just about all of them will bloom. Such a relief after that first spring. We also planted 8 more Duchess De Nemours. We haven’t decided yet if we are letting them bloom this year or will start selling this year. First bloom of the year – Sunny Girl
