Sniff, sniff, I can smell spring in the air.

One of the hardiest roses I've found is the John F Kennedy rose. It is a white rose but as the bud is starting to open it's green and once it opens it turns white. I would shy away from hybrids and patents if possible. If you can find old stock that hasn't been hybridized you would have fantastic roses. The other great thing about the old stock roses is that you can start new bushes from clippings. Since roses go dormant during the winter you don't have to worry too much about them. Another thing about the patent roses is if they go into "shock" they revert to one of the roses that was used to develop the new color. I'll do some research to see if I can find some places with "Old stock" roses. I would stick to the White, Red and Yellow roses as they will withstand more than your "colored" roses. If you want to go with colored roses go for the mini ones. When you plant roses, make sure that you use B1 to prevent the shock from being moved. It helps them make super progress and they will grow like crazy and bloom sooner than those that don't get the B1 infusion. I am planning to start planting on Tuesday. Bill has a doctor's appointment and is planning to ride his motorcycle in and knowing him he will also take a nice long ride. That will give me a ton of time to plant all the seeds I've bought and saved through the winter. (I save the cantaloupe and squash seeds and let them dry out so that I can save money on prepackaged seeds.) I'll have zucchini, spaghetti and yellow squashes, cantaloupe, radishes (Bill loves radishes) pumpkins, gourds, beans, peas, and spinach. Plus a ton of flowers. I feel so lucky that the neighbors don't mind that I plant in their yard too. They're getting the flowers and some of the gourds and pumpkins. Then the lot beside them is empty so I plan to plant tons of flowers and herbs there. I have to fence the herbs as otherwise the pesky rabbits come along and eat the herbs. Last year they even ate the garlic and onion chives!!! (hope they got indigestion!! ) One day this week I need to go to town to Lowe's to buy manure. Theirs is the smelliest in the area so it is the best. It sounds odd, but I found that the worse the manure smells the better it works. Plus they have the best price on their fertilizer in the area. I'm getting a kick outta Khuay. He loves his private lap time in the morning and during that time he will snuggle up close with his paws around my upper arm, hugging it tight. Also he now is sleeping under my arm at night. I've woken up several times to find him curled up in the crook of my arm with his head on my chest.

I've told you about those lap sneezes! Poor Khuay. Until these past few years I never had the planting bug. Now the little rascal itches like crazy. I find myself mooning over fertilizers and soil for crying out loud! Looking at hardy roses to plant in my flower beds this year. Any ideas what would work best in Pennsylvania? Hugs, Maggie

Walking and running in spring is the absolute best! The air is crisp without being freezing cold and the luscious smells of new plant life permeate the air. Enjoy! Hugs, Maggie

Bronchitis is such a nasty thing. It can put you out of commission quick. Hope this spring you don't have to worry with it and can have garage sales instead. Hugs, Maggie

Have a good trip. The first lawn mowing definitely means warmer weather is headed our way. The grass wakes up and everything that blooms follows its example. Hugs, Maggie

You have several lovely ways to celebrate the new spring. I especially like tree planting day. Hugs, Maggie

Does anything smell better than a beautiful spring day or the first gentle spring rains? I can't think of anything! Hugs, Maggie