Hi folks,

I was out in the late morning, mid 40s temp, chilly wind,

doing the necessary work taking out scraps for compost, doing recycling, etc. and I saw a bit of pink out of the

edge of my vision. Upon investigation it was the first bloom on a peony!! Much smaller than usual bloom.

A late job last fall was moving old peonies which had ceased blooming as the trees shaded the yard. After the

vegetable garden was pretty well over we tilled a 6 x 40

foot strip on its west edge and moved the peonies. We didn't get it done in the desired Sept. but not until Nov.

I didn't expect bloom this year and certainly not in April

on the morning after we registered 27 degrees. I noticed

some nearby plants (weeds?) which had been laid low by the

freeze---Poke! Peonies can handle the cold, but not poke!

Joy in the garden, now if wind will just die down so it's

a bit more comfortable.

Chris