Winter?

So much for the groundhog. Spring seems to be defiantly early this year. Close to 60 degrees today. Snow mixed with rain predicted for the morning. Not snow, snow-mixed-with-rain. Sigh. Of course, there is plenty more time with potential for winter weather, but less likely by the day. At least I am not an elementary school kid waiting for a snow day!

Bulbs are popping up all over the yard. I was a bit worried that all the rain last fall would turn the newly planted as well as the long settled bulbs in my yard to mush. Daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, and grape hyacinths are pushing through the oak leaf cover. Not sure about the tulips or aliums, but it is early. Very early.

The hydrangeas and forsythia are starting to bud as well. Check some out below...



daffodils

more advanced daffodils

sedum

forsythia

hydrangea

crocuses

February 3rd?

The groundhog spoke on Thursday: Six more weeks of winter. We haven't really had much in the way of winter this year, so no one quite knows what to think of that.

Meanwhile, bulbs are popping up throughout the neighborhood. Even the new ones I planted last fall. Radio garden guy says just leave them alone. Don't cover them. The nights are still chilly, and the wet ground is staying cooler than it would if it were dry, so it isn't all bad. But, who knows. Just let Mother Nature do her thing and hope for the best!

Here are my daffodils. The ferns I planted in the fall have stayed green ever since (the older ones did go dormant and so far remain asleep).

Some other bulbs in other parts of the yard:

The parsley and thyme have never really quit this winter, although the sage looks a little worse for wear. (The rosemary is inside, and doing fine.) Cilantro is popping back up, along with the garlic chives and even a primrose.

 

Snapdragons are ready to go. They do prefer cool weather, so no big surprise there. The heather has pretty much stayed in bloom all season. Everything just looks a little messy with all the oak leaves, but there is no no sense in cleaning those out when we could get a cold snap at any moment.