I forget the rules of gardening every year

[spinbaby]

Today I started working outside for the first time this year and immediately forgot three vital rules:

1.Wear sun protection.
2. Never buy more plants than you can plant in one day.
3. Don’t try to spend the entire day gardening until your muscles get used to gardening.

Now I’m sore and sunburnt and still have a flat of violas that need to be planted.

[Ohiogal]

1. Once you get going, it's hard to stop, isn't it?

I've been there!

Bet your flowers are gorgeous!

[alfie]

2. I have certainly been there, done that

I am so anxious to dig in the dirt and it has been just too cold and windy. I live in the north Georgia mountains, so it is still early, although violas would probably be ok. They aren't very tender. Later this week we are to get into the upper 60's and I may get to at least prepare some beds and pots. My pansies died when we had really cold temps during the winter and I would love to replace them. I can usually get them through the winter, but not this year.

Relax, take something for your aching muscles and be ready to work out those kinks by finishing the job tomorrow.

Good luck.

[Phoenix61]

3. Rule #2!!!

I killed more plants than you could imagine before I finally got that one figured out. I also make sure I have enough time to put in drip irrigation for the bed before the plants die from lack of water. I'm establishing new planting beds and it's Florida and I'm not good at dragging hoses around the yard.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

6. I could plant a small graden with all the plants I've lost because I never got around to

actually getting them in the ground!

My eyes get bigger than my spade.

[Squinch]

4. I ordered a bazillion plants that were supposed

to ship after the last frost. But I got them before we were hit with all these noreasters here. So I have a bazillion bulbs and plants in Dixie cups on my window sills till the ground softens up again.

[NutmegYankee]

8. I stopped doing live plants because they shipped too early.

And they often came looking like hell.

[Siwsan]

5. The most I've been able to do is start my tomato and pepper plants

And some herbs. I've got a good 6 more weeks, or so, before I dare put anything outside. Which gives me plenty of time to get the garden beds cleared and prepared.

[NutmegYankee]

7. I've been bitten by the sun thing several times.

Though I'm usually OK on the muscles since I put a lot of effort into raised bed prep in bursts until planting time. Which with the crappy cold springs of late, is still a few weeks off for most plants.