Final week to get the garden ready for its close-up on May 9^th! We’ve been toiling hard to get all the Spring chores done in preparation for Open Day – its a bit of a marathon. The weather this past week has been just gorgeous which has made the garden work so much more pleasant. I’m exhausted at the end of each day but still in a good mood and that’s entirely from being outdoors in near perfect conditions. Hallelujah.

Clearly I’m ahead of most of you in completing the spring chores so guess who’s going to chillax all of next week?! Just in case you’re not clear on what you ought to be getting done, here you go ‘

What to do in May –

1. Weed regularly if you want to keep the thugs in check.
2. Put stakes in place so as plants grow it’ll be easy to secure them.
3. Deadhead spent blooms for a neat look. Some plants will reward you with a second wave of blooms. Of course, if you want to collect seeds, do not deadhead.
4. Water as necessary. Add a splash of compost tea to fertilize – about every 3 weeks.
5. Plant in summer vegetables, summer bulbs and tubers, new perennials as well as annuals.
6. Keep bird baths filled with clean water. Use mosquito ‘dunks’ to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. The same goes for garden fountains.
7. Start mowing lawns but do the right thing by keeping the mower blade high at about four inches. Leave clippings in place to replenish the soil.
8. Make sure all beds, shrubs and trees are mulched to retain moisture and keep weeds from proliferating.
9. To take care of weeds in areas that are paved or bricked, pour boiling hot water over them. The weeds will be killed and no chemicals were used! I use the water used to pasta/eggs/vegetables whenever available.
10. Stay vigilant for pests or disease. The earlier you catch a problem, the easier it is to treat them. Always employ organic methods.
11. Stir the compost heap regularly. Keep adding in kitchen and garden waste.
12. Take time every day to simply enjoy the garden.
13. Visit mine and other gardens through the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program. You will be vastly instructed and inspired.

Enjoy the close-ups of the tulips having their moment –

(c) 2026 Shobha Vanchiswar

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I’ve changed my mind. March was not the temperamental one, April is. It has run the full weather gamut. From winter cold to summer warmth to perfect spring temperatures. From bone dry to super-soaked days. From whirling dervish winds to statue stillness. In all manner of permutations and combinations. But, as I write, it is most excellent outside. Clear blue sky with nary a wisp of a cloud. Sun positively grinning down at all and sundry as a gentle breeze tickles the young leaves on freshly awakened trees. And the temperature? As Goldilocks would say – just right!

Like the mail carrier, a gardener works no matter the weather. It’s been either challenging or exhilarating but the gardening is making progress. I can’t afford to take a break because Open Day is now less than 2 weeks away!

Due to the tough winter we had in the northeast, there were some unexpected setbacks. A big one being the ants that decided to take shelter in the greenhouse. Millions and millions and millions of them! After having emptied the greenhouse of all the plants the previous day (a backbreaking job in itself), all the slabs of the slate floor were lifted, stone dust replaced, environmentally friendly borax sprinkled and the slate slabs put back. Fingers crossed this should do it. The whole thing took an entire day and I cannot begin to describe how exhausted we ( self and spouse) were.

New plants were added in the meadow as well as in the front perennial beds. The early spring window boxes have been replaced with ones that should be good till fall. The aforementioned plants overwintering in the greenhouse have taken up their outdoor positions. Everything will be given a good topping of compost to get them growing.

Weeding has begun in earnest. There’s already a real nuisance bumper crop of maple seedlings everywhere this year. It behooves one to pull them out early as they prove tough to remove once they set out a few leaves. Ugh.

The daffodils are waning but the tulips, grape hyacinths and Leucojum are looking splendid. It’s happening a bit ahead of schedule because the hot spell jump started their bloom time.

I had completely redone the checkerboard garden last fall. It’s gratifying that it’s turning out as envisioned. It’s one thing to come up with the design in my head, plant accordingly and then wait 4-5 months to see if it works out. But that’s gardening for you! Because the Mazus is yet to fill out the squares, hyper-vigilance is necessary to prevent the myriad weeds from moving in. The opportunistic thugs have already started trying. Hopefully by the time fall comes around, the Mazus would’ve spread nicely.

With still plenty to do, I shall stop here. Must take full advantage of the good weather. Hope you’re as happily toiling in your garden as I am.

(c) 2026 Shobha Vanchiswar

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April continues to test and tease. Days of sun and sparkle vanquished by spells of gray clouds expelling chilling rain and most recently, covering the garden in a light blanket of snow. It’s particularly frustrating for this gardener who is hurrying to get the garden ready for Open Day.

Like the postal service, I’ve persevered and have been making steady progress despite the vagaries of the weather. There are so many varied tasks that it’s been fun in spontaneously deciding what gets done after checking the daily forecast. Summer bulbs and a new peony got planted in the rain. As did the replenishing of river rocks under the espalier fence of fruit trees. Over time, the stones shift, settle in deep or break up and expose bare earth. Every 8 to 10 years a topping off is required to maintain the pleasing aesthetics whilst thwarting weeds from taking up residence.

On really cold days, I’ve whiled away hours in the greenhouse trimming and cleaning up pots and plants that are showing winter fatigue. Spending a whole season cooped up in rather cramped quarters can quite understandably take a toll on anyone’s appearance. The whole lot of plants will get moved out later this week and take up their rightful garden positions till the Fall.

Taking advantage of the promised sunshine and comfortable temperatures this week, I expect to make a trip to my local family-owned nursery to get the annuals for window-boxes and urns. Just in time for the holiday weekend.

Despite all the fluctuations in temperature, each day brings exponential growth and more plants bursting into bloom. How I love these days of spring! The long held anticipation giving way to the sheer exuberance of both color and beauty is what gets me through the dark months of winter. I’m determined to savor every one of these precious days. My hardworking garden deserves no less.

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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For various reasons, March has been a very busy month. So I’m somewhat surprised that it’s coming to an end in a week. Open Day is just 7 weeks away! Marathon gardening here I come!

So much in gardening is determined by weather. Therefore, I shall commence by beseeching the weather gods to look kindly upon my little piece of Paradise. Not too cold, not too warm, not too wet, not too dry. And not too windy either. I ask for Goldilocks weather. Please!

For the most part, cut back and clean up is completed. Peony props are in place. I’ve started a few seeds – just some cardinal vine and nasturtium. The former took barely 4 days to germinate. I don’t remember it being so quick last year. Hopefully they can go into the ground in a few weeks. Nursing along seedlings over an extended period is not my strong suit – remembering to pinch back regularly so they don’t get leggy can be tricky.

In a couple of weeks my tiny ‘lawn’ will be aerated and reseeded in order to be the green counterpoint to the anticipated explosion of color in the bordering beds. Numerous other chores await and must be cued up appropriately. 17 years of Open Day prepping has taught me that good organization is everything.

I’m assuming you too have started on your gardening tasks. If not, why ever not?!

With Lyndhurst in Bloom less than 2 weeks away, I’m understandably preoccupied. It’s a bit of a juggling act but honestly, it’s a great problem to have! Creative opportunities are what keep me in high spirits and very agreeable to have around – ask my family. They’ve seen me at my worst.

P.S. Now, don’t let all my efforts go to waste – do come and see my installation at Lyndhurst and visit me on Open Day.

Definitive signs of spring in my garden –

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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