Spring Things

We're finally confident that Spring is here.  After early April temperatures in the 80s, then 6" of snow a week later, today is a comfortable 66 degrees and we can get on with the garden work.

Last summer we purchased a small fig tree.  I've never actually eaten a fresh fig, only Fig Newtons : )  The variety is Brown Turkey and although it's a good variety for our northern climate, it can't take the weather if it gets too cold.  We left it planted in the large pot and moved it from the patio into the garage for the winter.  This is what it looks like today --

Brown Turkey Fig Tree

If the weather is expected to drop below freezing, we'll move it back to the garage overnight and bring it out when the weather warms up.  

The below photo shows our asclepias incarnata "Cinderella" milkweed emerging from the pot it was planted in last year.  We bought it from a local nursery and it wintered over on our patio.

Milkweed

Each year the orioles return to our area the beginning of May.  I put out the feeder a couple days ahead of their arrival so they'll see it when they fly over.  The feeder is filled with nectar, grape jelly and oranges.  Cardinals and grey catbirds also enjoy it.