

Also here in suburbia, as many of you know, hidden behind my privacy fence, is my raised bed vegetable garden.

Then as I walked toward the other side of the garden, I scared up a rabbit hiding under some nearby Forsythia's. Dog gone it, am I going to have to prepare for another war on the rabbits? I know I have to declare war on henbit. See that bit of green in the mulch by the bed? That's henbit, Lamium aplexicaule. It comes up all over the place, in the paths and in the raised beds. I know from experience, pull it early and often or I'll soon have enough to fill a compost bin. And get it before it goes to seed! If we have decent weather this weekend, I'll have to spend some time pulling that darn weed.
But really, before I get too serious about all the outdoor gardening, the last of the snow needs to melt. Really, it's time. It's March, But I can't complain too much because I'm down to just some snow on the north side of the house and on the patio.

Unfortunately, the Lenten Roses (Helleborus orientalis) are also on the north side of the house under some of that snow. It is just too sad of a sight to post a picture of them right now on this happy gardening blog. Really, they looked much better in early February after the warmer than usual December and January. Some flower buds were even forming then. Now when I look, I see nothing but frozen leaves. But I remain hopeful that they'll grow out of it, and sometime before Easter, I can post a picture of a pretty Lenten Rose.
(I changed my mind... I'm showing you all my sad Lenten Roses. Brace yourself...

Comments
A couple of years ago I started leaving a bit of henbit for the butterflies but this year I've seen very few fluttering by. When you look at it closely, henbit is quite attractive. But like a woman of easy virtue, henbit is a bit too easy for us to appreciate it.
Annie
BTW I like yellow crocuses in the lawn.
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