A Page from the Early Spring Notebook
March 06, 2007
Much ado about the house and garden ...
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~ Rake garden debris and freshen the ground for new growth.
~ Plan out this year's garden plot; purchase seeds at the nursery.
~ Note where where more bulbs should be planted this fall.
~ Clean and inspect outdoor garden pots.
~ Have lemonade, bubble wands and solution on hand for that first warm day.
~ Set out nesting material for the birds.
~ Hang a birdhouse a bit aways from the feeders.
~ Set up a compost bin.
~ Take a neighborhood walk and look for signs of spring.
~ Pull out the muckers and ponchos; make plans for puddle days.
~ Start seeds indoors; set them in a warm, sunny window.
~ Sweep the front walk.
~ Clean up the outdoor toy equipment.
~ Order fresh mulch (extra for under the playset).
~ Buy fresh sand for the sand box.
~ Have the lawn mower serviced.
~ Check on the children's gardening tools.
~ Clean the deck (or porch as the case may be); haul out the outdoor furniture.
~ Dig out the spring puppets; brainstorm a nature story or two.
~ Learn a spring poem.
~ Watch clouds.
~ Look for rainbows.
~ Walk in the woods.
~ Catch tadpoles.
~ Spring ahead on 3/11.
~ Stock the rainy day craft cupboard.
~ Check on Easter attire - what needs replacing, cleaning, pressing?
~ Change the beds from flannel to cotton.
~ Crack open the windows at night to listen for peepers.
~ Visit the local farm.
~ Shampoo the carpets, wash the windows; hang screens, pack away storms.
~ Schedule a spring cleaning weekend.
~ Clean the curtains - at home or professionally.
~ Begin new home-learning year research.
~ Think about/plan for summer vacation (day trips too).
~ Dig out the soccer gear - set up the practice net.
~ Bring down the spring clothes; pack away winter ones.
~ Organize field bags.
~ Attend a sheep-shearing - bring home fresh clean wool for crafts.
~ Outline spring nature study goals.
~ Clean up and organize the potting shed.
~ Invite friends for a Park Day.
~ Research natural dyes for wool and eggs, come Easter.
~ Attend a maple sugaring demonstration - bring home maple syrup for the larder.
~ Order the Easter ham.
~ Press the table linens; polish the silver.
~ Make sure there is a kite ready for a blustery day.
~ Pull out the wildflower field guide.
~ Have the bird guide ready for identifying migratory birds.
~ Make a toad home for the children's garden.
~ Plan to break from lessons early on Opening Day. :)
~ Gather pussy willows and make a wreath for the door.
~ Plan a picnic for Arbor Day; plant a new tree.
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Whew! That's quite a list, isn't it? Certainly most of these are could-do's and not necessarily must-do's. Still, it's fun to think about all the bustle and buzz that spring brings to the home and garden.
So, what's on your spring to-do list? :)
(P.S. Thank you, dear Alice, for the lovely garden stickers - I've been waiting for just the right moment to use them!)