Colors of Spring In New England

A grouping of Azaleas

Phlox Carpeting 

With spring come the bright colors of the Azalea. Planted in groupings or with other plants in a pair they bring out some of the best colors of spring. I will often use Delaware Valley grown stock and I also like to buy the bigger of the plants that the nursery has to offer when selecting these fine ornamentals. They do however tend to get more damaged from the harsh New England winters and will also need standard clean up pruning to keep good air flow to prevent powdery mildew and leaf rust. Make pocket cuts right after they flower. You can even run the shears over them if you consistently make good pruning cuts to the crown.

Phlox is another spring color staple that stands out among the better colors of spring.The plants ability to grow in less then favorable conditions of roadways and rock beds alters the landscape to a carpet of color on surfaces that are really hard and hot. Phlox will also suffer from powdery mildew that can wipe out a whole mature setting. They to should be cleaned out annually, and when there is a definite sign of disease it should be cut out and removed right away.


The Mayor of Springfield Ma. is pushing forward the idea of closing the bar crowd down early and is being met with early criticism from those business owners and their representatives. Most of which would be the entertainment district establishments. But my feeling is this, how much revenue does the entertainment district bring in compared to the amount of police coverage it takes to keep the peace down there on Worthington St. at the peak times? And how many of our own citizens use or benefit from the entertainment district? My overall feeling is that the Mayor is making the right move and we are sending a message that the entertainment district is not what drives the motor for us here in Springfield. It is not what provides good jobs that have positive type of economic spin off. It only adds to a black eye the city already has and does nothing to help in promote the city for future business and economic recovery. And like my 8th grade Social Studies teacher Mr. Sherameta says, " nothing ever good happens after 12:00 a. m. in the morning." 

The cold nights is keeping weed production down in the turf, and it is also to early for the vegetable garden. The rain last week only cured the H2O problems for the time being, with all the high winds everything has dried out a lot faster and all irrigating will resume to a spring schedule. Next week  will be the first Kentucky Derby Special, with my picks for win, place and show. A lot of good horses this year, all handicapping will be very difficult this year. Not that I have been right, but I have won my fair share of races, just not the Derby in a while. So you could say I am due.

                                                                     Good Luck, Eddie Pags

P.S. Who remembers the soda fountain at Parker Drug?