Signs that Spring is Near

As I walked around my yard today, I was actually kind of surprised to see how many plants were already starting to pop up.  Especially since most of my yard still looks like this:

One plant that didn't surprise me was the Hellbore, since it usually blooms while there is still snow somewhere on the ground.

Another that didn't surprise me was the vinca, since that stays green for the entire winter.

However, there are plants that I was surprised to see, and maybe I shouldn't be.  It's funny how every year I forget when plants start making their comeback.  It seems early to me, but maybe that is because Easter is so late this year?  So here are the plants:

I looked back in my blog, and realized last I had posted some signs of spring pictures already on March 7th, so I guess this is not early.  I am just happy that it's here!  I am not going to be political on this blog, but I am a teacher in Wisconsin.  So it's been a VERY long winter.  What plants are coming up in your yard?

Snowstorm Dana Pictures

Just last week we started to have spring like weather, but old man winter reminded us that winter is not over just yet.

Before Storm

Just a snow started to fall

After snow

After Shoveling

My Hellebores Before storm

Hellbores now buried under snow

Wisconsin Garden Expo this weekend!

Are you sick of staring out at the snow?  Are you dying for a little slice of garden heaven?  Well then don't miss this weekends Garden Expo in Madison.  I have gone every year for at least 5 years now, and there is always something new.  Last year I was so happy to find hostas, and those little hostas carried me through until spring.

Picture from last year's Garden Expo

How to have a little summer in the midst of winter via ZaZa Gallery

This has been my view of the hosta garden for the past couple of months.

I needed a little reminder of summer, so I decided to have one of my hosta pictures turned into a canvas print.  I decided to give ZaZa Gallery a try.  

This is what I found on my doorstep this morning:

After opening the box, I found a very well wrapped print inside:

Look at this beautiful canvas print:

I am so happy with the quality of my print.  I would definitely order from ZaZa Gallery again!

2010: A Year In Review for this Cheesehead

I know this is a few days late, but I have been trying to think about everything that happened in 2010.  You know how as you get older you find yourself walking into the kitchen to do something, but by the time you take the 8 steps it takes to get to the kitchen you forget what that something was (or is it just me)?  This is the story of my life.  So I can't even imagine what I have forgot about 2010.  So here are some of the things I do remember about 2010.

• My friend, Erin, and I started creating our Cheesehead Gardening videos.
• I've met lots of new gardening and non-gardening people on Twitter.  Especially through the Monday night #gardenchat
• One of my co-workers was laid off due to budget cuts.  It was really sad because she was so good at her job, and I miss having her in my department.  It also meant I would start the 2010 school year with an extra school.  Schools=3
• This spring, myself and three co-workers received grant through Fund for Teachers.  Our grant took us to Oregon in July, where we attended the Oregon Coast Children's Book Writing Conference.  It was a awesome experience to work with real authors, illustrators, editors, etc.  I had been to the Oregon coast once before, but this trip sealed the deal for me.  I am in LOVE with the Oregon coast, and I am hoping to get back there in 2011.  If you want to know more about our trip, here is our travel blog.
• At the end of June I went on my first cruise.  My husband and I traveled with my parents and aunt & uncle to Alaska.  We spent one week on land and one week at sea.  It was an amazing experience to see all the untouched land, and just how big all of the plants grow there with the extended daylight.  My favorite part of the trip was when our cruise ship was just about to go into Glacier Bay and our boat was surrounded by Humpback whales.  Here is a short blog of our trip.
• My hostas were having a great year, until we were hit by a horrendous hail storm in July just days after I returned from Oregon.  I think it was a sign that I was supposed to stay there, at least for the summer.   The hail storm did so much damage, not only to my yard but all the houses in the area. The rest of the summer there wasn't a day that went buy without the sound of a new roof going on in our neighborhood.
• I officially ran out of garden space.....wonder what I will do in 2011.
• When we returned from Alaska, my husband found out that after 16 years with the postal service, his position might not be around much longer.  So after months of not knowing what was going on, he was reassigned to another office in mid-October.  He went from sorting mail to being a mail carrier, and lost all of his seniority.  He likes being a carrier, and he likes his new hours.  Just wishes he didn't have to stress about it for months.

Well, that's what I remember about 2010.  I hope my 2011 is filled with as much adventure as 2010.

Great Gift Ideas for the Hosta Lover in your life

If you have been struggling with what to get a hosta lover on your list for Christmas look no further than this blog!  Who better to get ideas from than a hosta lover.  

• The Book of Little Hostas: 200 Small, Very Small, and Mini Varieties This book is on my list.  Brand new book all about miniature hostas, which are very popular with hosta lovers everywhere.
• The New Encyclopedia of Hostas
• Hostapedia -if they do not own the Hostapedia by Mark Zilis, this book is a must have. Lists over 7400 hostas and their characteristics.
• Gift certificates- Since weather does not allow most people to buy hostas right now, why not buy them a gift certificate so the person on your list can buy in spring. Some reputable places to get gift certificates from are: Naylor Creek, In the Country Garden and Gifts,Hallson Gardens, and White Oak Nursery.
• Fiskars Transplanting Spade - this is great for digging up and dividing hostas and other plants.
• Garden Fork -This is a great tool for digging up hostas and keeping roots intact
• Garden cart/wagon-something to haul all your tools and plants out in the garden
• Unique Planter-a unique planter that hostas could be place in 
• Water Barrel - what better gift than a way to help save the environment and makes plants happy at the same time.  
• Hosta pottery from Steve Knipp
• Membership to local or national hosta clubs
• Membership to local botanical garden

Cheesehead Gardening Episode 12