A Page from the Early Spring Notebook

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!)