The Progression Of Color Continues

It seemed like April 15th today instead of March 15th and the warm weather will continue throughout the rest of the week. Last year was very similar and I don't get too stressed out about early blooms like the yellow snow crocus (Crocus chrysanthus) opening up today. Many of these early bulbs are pretty tough and will take a return to cooler temperatures. I do get concerned when I see the tulips and alliums sprouting and stretching as they seem to think Mother's Day is around the corner. While frost tolerant, this early foliage gets more tender as it unfurls and gains height. Hopefully the flower buds will stay low and duck for cover as needed. Oh well. Regardless, it's nice to have the warm up and we actually saw some visitors roaming the gardens today which is quite rare at least until April. I worked on myriad projects and continue to order plants for this spring in between preparing for various programs like our big spring symposium. Our deadline for registering for the symposium was yesterday and we're happy to report we're full and can't squeeze in any more (much to the chagrin of the three ladies that called today trying to register).

Kris, our new Education Coordinator, started today and will immediately be involved with all our "educational happenings" that are occuring in short order here this spring. Kris has past experience in education at a public garden in RI as well as experience with UW-Extension and the Janesville school system. We welcome here aboard and look forward to her contributions regarding the facilitation of existing programs and expansion in to new opportunities and venues. Kelli, our new Executive Director, took the entire staff out including Gary, our immediate, past, interim Executive Director. Only Larry and Jenny couldn't make it but it was a rare time for everyone to see each other and of course, welcome Kris to the staff.

Dick W. was here to continue cutting grasses out in the gardens and Larry and Bill were out to remove woody plants that are in the way of our imminent waterfall deconstruction and subsequent reconstruction. Urban was here to do some work as well and we had our trio (Rose, Dr. Gredler and Pat) of painters working on painting cucumber supports that will be located in our ornamental edible / compact vegetable collection. Pat can be seen above and to the left and Dr. Gredler below. With the warm weather, we'll all be outside to get some early clean-up accomplished before April showers make a mud pit out there (before bringing May flowers). We may even get some compost in early. Gary was here cranking out more labels and we also saw Vern, Big John, Maury, Mary W. and some others over at the Horticulture Center.