A windy afternoon at the Cottage, and the garden is officially waking up. 🌿 Today’s quick walkabout is a real-time early spring check-in—what’s blooming, what’s sprouting, what I’m watching in the forecast, and the simple little tasks that keep everything moving forward (even when the weather can’t make up its mind).
In this video, you’ll see:
Star magnolia buds swelling and opening (and how I’m thinking about possible frost)
Front porch containers filling in with bulbs, growth, and early color
Tête-à-tête daffodils blooming indoors and out (plus tiny seedlings starting to germinate)
Why I love getting “hands and knees” close to spot new sprouts (hello, dill + surprise basil)
Squirrel-proofing pots with metal closures to protect bulbs and seed
Boxwood care in early spring: conservative pruning + feeding plans
Hydrangea cleanup as time allows (easy wins that make a big difference)
Self-seeding favorites returning: penstemon, larkspur, foxglove, and more
Microclimates around the house—why one bed looks winter-bit and the other looks greener
Winter honeysuckle in the alley (the fragrance is unbelievable)
Compost turning, bulb planting, and a simple fire-starter bundle from dried herbs
If you enjoy these real-life “what’s happening today” garden updates, this is exactly that—small moments, big seasonal momentum.
👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with a fellow garden friend who’s ready for spring.
Chapters (Suggested)
00:00 Windy garden check-in + daily updates
00:35 Star magnolia blooms + watching the forecast
01:42 Front porch containers + bulbs waking up
02:16 Tête-à-tête daffodils + seedlings starting
03:56 Squirrel protection + more bulbs on the porch
04:49 Dill seedlings, tulips coming up, rose bed changes
06:26 Surprise basil seedling + boxwood pruning plans
07:57 Catmint mounds + hydrangea cleanup
08:31 Thrifted planter + hyacinths + seed viability win
10:11 Self-seeding perennials + garden journal notes
11:34 Seed broadcasting strategy + spring editing
13:23 Lawn greening + books/reading + neighborhood daffodil count
16:22 Microclimates + winter honeysuckle bouquet
18:25 Forgotten bed ideas + compost + bulbs still to plant
20:07 Back steps staging + herb bundle fire starter wrap-up
#CottageGarden #SpringGarden #GardenWalkabout #GardeningTips #EarlySpring #ContainerGardening #Daffodils #Tulips #Magnolia #Boxwood #Hydrangeas #SeedStarting #GardenUpdate #GardenInspiration #Composting
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30 Comments
Thank you for taking the time for this tour. Come on spring! This winter has not been kind.
Linda, I'm amazed the magnolia has started to bloom. Here in Central North Carolina (zone 7B/8A) our buds are nowhere near ready to open. Still beautiful though!!!!
Linda and Stewart good evening!
Have fantastic brilliant day! Huggers! Can't get to my garden bad weather!❤😊❤
I Loved this Linda, gardening between seasons can be very challenging to love and have the forth-sight into what your trying to achieve, just seeing your garden Linda gives me confidence to soldier on. ❤
Thank you for this slow, up close tour of the seedlings in your garden. Do you have a good source to purchase golden feverfew seeds?
ohio 10 mi from Lake Erie…snow finally melted and I'm heading out to work in yard and garden..yeah!
What are you feeding your new pots with?
are the wire cloches and the round trellis still available anywhere?
Your video is such a great inspiration!
Greetings from Austria!
I am surprised you haven’t cut the blooms off your hydrangeas .
Hi Linda! What are the red shrubs you have along Autumn's Edge? Are they Nandina?
Love your topiaries. Would you tell me the name of which topiaries grow the best for you?
Oh, thank you Linda! I love that on these walkabouts we get to see the garden as it is waking up from a long winter's nap. The containers boasting their soft spring colors just adorable. So thrilled to see the tiny seedlings emerge. New beginnings! And brighter days ahead 🌱🌿❤️
No more morning videos linda.
So fun to see thIngs in bloom. In WI, we're still in the throws of winter. Although we did have a freakish couple days of 60 degree temps. Snow now in the forecast.
Have you considered having faux grass again, since you seem to be working so hard to get your grass to be green and healthy throughout the year?
I love all of your spherical plants! As a fellow person with a story-book house (yours much more story-book than mine — I’m envious!), I think the spherical plants and objects go so well with the houses. Lots of whimsy goes well with them too! The first things I planted here were three Hollywood Junipers, because I love their whimsical branches. Thanks for all your videos — so much inspiration and good information!
Linda what varieties of penstemon and asters do you have in the garden?
Blue/Purple? Blurple. 😉
Linda, moved to a property here in Oklahoma that has roses. I have not ever grown roses. When would be the time to cut those back? Also do you think here in Oklahoma it’s okay to go ahead and prune our flowering shrubs?
Love seeing new buds coming out. Can’t wait to see your garden in bloom!
Your spring garden will be beautiful! Where do you get your Minoan lace (sp ?) seed?
I also am drawn to the blue/purple and white color palette. I can’t resist blue pansies in the spring. In the summer l love blending peachy apricot tones with the blue/purple and white.
Your early garden is lovely and promising. I think you’ve had a milder winter than we’ve experienced in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia this year. We’re just a hop skip and a jump from the mountains. It’s uplifting seeing your garden.
Could you show us how you maintain the shape of your nandinas? I love the fullness and shape of yours.
I have learned so much by watching Linda’s little seedlings sprout. I used to be too aggressive with my weeding. Linda has taught me to watch and wait to identify before I pull out what is sprouting.
Where can we purchase your container baskets? I’m referring to the gray ones thank you.
Living in Wisconsin, I could do a walk about everyday. We’re always like 2 months behind you, so I enjoy seeing the emerging plants in your garden. And I have to agree being in the garden with you are the best videos!
I like yellow with the blue and purple and yellow.