On Sunday I spread 5 bags (2 cu. feet each) of bark mulch to cover the new areas where I had put down cotton bur compost and topsoil. I don't want it to dry out in the sun and blow away in the March winds.
Then I came in, showered and made myself a gin and tonic. Just like summer.
Why not -- it felt like summer, my body was tired from the work, the sun was lovely and after a warm day outside working hard I like to treat myself to a gin and tonic.
But that's always been a refreshing summer ritual after a day in the garden. A hot weather indulgence.
This is still February.
After the half inch of rain it warmed up again and I got the moist soil covered. And because the new mulch is chunky and light colored, I had to spread more of it over existing areas to match up and look cohesive.
I continue to marvel at the fact that I can still do this. I am 76.
I work slowly now but I get it done. Rock moving, mulch spreading all of an afternoon, and when the time comes in spring, digging and planting.
With all these pleasant February afternoons and with new soil and fresh mulch I am ready for the digging and planting right now! My gin and tonic reinforced the summery garden-ready vibe and I despair to think we have two and a half months to go before I can make my garden vision come alive. That's 10 weeks at least.
Oh well, it's nice now. And my sparkling drink was so restorative after all that work.