I'm super excited that it's finally beginning to look and feel like springtime in Chicagoland. Everyday I get home from work and I go outside to check out how my little garden has progressed (what, you don't do that?)

Last year, I planted 5 grape hyacinth and 4 miniature daffodils along the side of my house leading up to the front door. While planting, I discovered that I had about 4 inches of soil and then i hit a black plastic liner. I assumed this liner was to deter weeds, so i tried poking (tearing) holes in it in order to plant my little spring flowers. I didn't think I planted them deep enough, but they lived out their short little spring lives and I didn't give them much thought. Once they petered out, I planted ground cover to fill up the space. Those did really well and went on to look amazing and full by the time winter rolled around.

Imagine my surprise this year when I noticed that my little grape hyacinth and daffodils started to bloom all by them selves!

That was in late March. After a few weeks, (another snowfall) and a few really nice warm days, almost all of my little spring flowers are nearly full grown!

I can't wait for it to get a little warmer (read: no more threat of snow or frost!) I need to pick up some tulips and some more spring bulbs to fill up that area a little more as well as new plants to start my patio garden! This year is going to be bigger and better than before and will have a mini pond (Shhhh!!! G doesn't know about this yet, so let's just keep it between you and me, k?)

Do you have a garden? What do you recommend I pick up? Have any photos? Let me know in the comment section below!

Garden update- first signs of spring