Garden and weather log: Another gray, rainy day. Temps in the 50's. Too warm for fleece, but not warm enough for short sleeves. Everything is still on hold.

The front garden, which has not been cleaned yet, is coming on strong. The grass is too. Must get out there.

I've noticed lawns with naturalized daffodils and crocuses. They sure look pretty. I wonder how it is when the flowers have faded and you are waiting for the leaves to dry down before you cut them. Maybe you let the lawn grow up and then cut the whole thing. I don't know, but I'd like to try it.

Garden and weather log: Gray, rainy, and in the 50s. Grass is getting green and tall, but everything else is waiting for the temperatures to warm up. Typical up north weather. These are nice quiet rains, so it is rather peaceful.

When the sun gets out, it will be time to hunt for morel mushrooms. These mushrooms are tasty morsels found around our swamps and woods. Once we found a big patch near a fallen poplar tree. Folks seek them and fix gourmet meals with them. We even have a local Morel Mushroom Festival. I am not a fan since I usually find a quantity of bugs in them even after I soak them in salt water. It does get people outside. I enjoy the hunt, but give my mushrooms away.

Garden and weather log: Monday the weather cooled off and we had a nice rain. The grass really shot up and so did the flowers. Today was in the 50s and was gray toward evening. Looks like it might rain again. Hot, cold, hot, cold. Definitely Michigan weather.

I found another sure sign of spring- the gopher that lives under our deck was out running around and antagonizing the dog.

The poplar trees in the backyard have their wormy looking things before the leaves come out. They are making a big mess on the patio-I just sweep it off.

No new flowers, but the wild columbine is growing fast. I brought some apple branches in the house to see how long it takes to force the flowers. The branches are quite lovely even without flowers or leaves.

Garden and weather log: 86 and breezy. Just haze around the horizon. Yard looks really nice since BF worked on the main garden and I sweep the deck and the brick patio. Raked next to the house and under the river birch and the poplar next to the water outlet. BF turned the water on and picked up the leaves and grass with the lawnmower sweeper. What a helpful purchase (at the time I was skeptical)! So, we are moving along.

We took the wire off the roses and shrubs. Not much varmit (rabbit) damage on the covered plants, but the lilacs off the patio are ruined and so are the three new shrubs I planted last spring. I won't be planting any new shrubs unless they are protected by wire next winter. All in all, we had far less damage this year and the plants look very healthy.

The goal is to make the garden look really nice without buying a lot of new plants. Of course, with that said, I know very well that I will see a plant I have always wanted and I will bring it

One happy surprise is that the blue poppy CT brought me from Bainbridge Island came up looking strong. I hope it blossoms.