I know you're aching to get out there, phyl, but I'd wait on the annuals a little longer. I just know we are going to have one more snowfall. LOL.

oh, anita, i *know* you're right ... BUT ... a few days ago i went ahead & planted pansies & dusty miller ... (they look so good together!)

the weather forecast doesn't sound too good .... but i have all the piles of shredded leaves that i have raked out of the gardens piled up nearby ... so, if necessary, i will just cover them up with a big pile of fluffy, dried-out mulched leaves ... think that will work o.k.? ... thanks, phyl

I know it's not even May yet, but with Easter coming so early this year - I had this gardener's instinct kick in and tell me that we were going to have summer creep up and kick us in the behinds without anyone noticing... so I've transplanted everything I wanted to and planted all sort of annuals and even started seeds outside and planted some veggies.

Sounds crazy, but it's all doing great (Ohio). And every year, like you mentioned, if we have a last-ditch effort by Old Man Winter, I have plenty of things to cover everything with for an overnight safe-keeping. But, I've always been a risk taker with the garden. I've just been extra blessed this year and have clematis ready to bloom and poppies, iris, and all sorts of things ready to make their showing. it's a weird year, but I'm having a ball with it - we've had mostly 70 degrees with lots of sunshine. Whoo Hoo!!

I suppose if you have time and energy to cover everything should a frost come, well then you can take a couple of chances with planting some thing early, yeah? It brings so much pleasure and a head start on the annuals is great.

climatis ready to bloom!?! ... zone 6 ohio is obviously way ahead of me ... everything is turning green, but the climatis, poppies, & iris aren't thinking about blooming yet here ... i am jealous, phyl