Since the ponds are not open, it’s a good time to tidy the gardens. I’m removing the sad little specimens that did not make it through the winter.

Then I’m moving around all the plants that will most likely be stepped on or damaged as the deck is being built. Of course I have to fill in the holes left by damaged plants and some plants just need to go somewhere else to thrive.

Since the weather is getting a little warmer, I took off the last burlap covers on two plants that really aren’t suited for Zone 4b. The Japanese Maple and the Japanese Black Pine have survived another Minnesota winter.

While working outside it’s always nice to take a break and watch the little animals around the yard.

The weather forecasters have said that conditions might be right for us to see the northern lights – I’m hoping I might be up around 1 or 2 am to see them!