Spring, oh Spring, Where Art Thou?
The first day of spring has come and gone, and here we are with snow flurries! The wind is wicked sharp, and it is cold, cold, cold! I do not enjoy doing chores in this cold weather. Even the animals were reluctant to come out of their sheds for food this morning!
However, there are still signs of spring if you look for them!
Spring is Coming!
February is past, and although spring isn’t officially here, the signs are everywhere. The trees are throwing out pollen by the bucket load, and many spring flowers are in bloom. We’ve had daffodils for weeks , and the forsythia is also blooming. (That’s buttercups and yellow bells to many people, particularly here in the south.)
The Farmer and I went for a walk in the woods last weekend, and could see a lot of trillium up and in bud. I only saw one Trout Lily in bloom, but the woods will be carpeted with them shortly.
Frost Fracas
For a few days there, we were enjoying temperatures up to 80 degrees F.
All that warm weather jump-started spring blooms. In the flower gardens, the hosta plants have broke dormacy and starting to send up shoots.
Sunshine, warm air, be free!
In the woods the ferns are doing the same thing.
It's spring!
There are huge patches of green plants coming up here and there in the woods.
The green of spring!
Even the moss looks greener!
One of my spring favorites, trillium, is also popping up all over the wooded areas.
A Trinity of Trilliums
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Two Trillium under the Trees
In the pasture and backyard, there are violets and white wildflowers blooming around the ubiquitous sweetgum balls.
Violets & Sweetgum Balls
And while I love ALL signs of spring, my very favorite is when the lilac bush starts to bloom.
Pretty Purple Blooms
I love the smell of lilacs in bloom. Why, even our Maremma sheep dog likes it!
"Mmmmmm, doesn't that smell good!"
Unfortunately, it is too early for it to get so warm and STAY so warm. Last night The Farmer was watching the news, and the weather man said the dirty “F” word. (No, not THAT one!) He said, “FROST tonight.”
What!!
Well, The Farmer being the sweet guy that he is, offered to help me go out in the dark, find a stepladder and tarp, and try to cover up as much of our lilac bush as possible. Now, it really is too bad there was no one around that could have taken our pictures as we struggled to get a tarp over the top of that big ole bush in the dark. (Tarp… too small. Bush… too tall!) But we figured even though we couldn’t cover the entire bush, if it really did frost, at least some of the blooms would be saved.
I took a picture of our covered up bush this morning before taking the tarp off. . .
We've got it covered... NOT!
Did you notice the weights on the corners to hold the tarp down?
Tool & Tarp
The Farmer is nothing, if not inventive!
We did get a light frost, but it didn’t hurt the uncovered blooms.
Unfazed by Frost
So now I’ve got 4 big vases of lilacs in the house that I really didn’t have to harvest quite so soon. (Well, actually only three… I gave one away.)
But the house sure smells good!
Quince Bush And Honeybees
The quince bush down by the pond is in full bloom now.
Blooming Quince Bush
They are a pretty single-petal type bloom. And right now, they are one of the few sources of pollen.
Blooms & Pollen
The honeybees have found them and are gathering the pollen.
Flying from bloom to bloom
Wonder what quince bush honey tastes like?
Spring 2011 IS Coming!
When the weather is cold and gloomy, sometimes it’s hard to envision spring and warm weather really will make it!
Fortunately, we’ve had a warm spell here, and while not time for shorts and bikinis yet, by mid-afternoon I can often get by with going out with a short sleeve shirt and no jacket. (Yes, I DO have on pants too, for the smart alecks among you!)
I have noticed over the last 2 or 3 days more and more signs of spring. Most specifically, daffodils in bud on Friday. . .
A promise of spring!
And by Sunday, they were in bloom. . .
A welcome spot of color!
And the quince bush down near our mailbox still looks pretty bare from a distance. . .
Still looking bare
But if you get up close, you can see there are lots of buds on the bush, just waiting for some more warm weather. . .
Pretty in Pink (and green)!
I love this quince bush because it’s grown from a start off the old home place where I grew up in West Virginia. I love growing stuff that my Mom and Dad had growing when I was a kid!
And The Farmer tilled up the garden space over the weekend, so thoughts of spring are very near! Flowers and fresh veggies, boy, does that sound good!