"I don't care what the calendar says, it's Spring!" thread.

It's Feb. 5th, but the sun is warm, the sky is cobalt blue, with wispy white, high clouds tracing out the racing jet stream, and my first snowdrops just opened. The tufted titmouse is singing his clear "Peter Peter" call from the highest oak tree so enthusiastically, I fear he'll lose his grip and fall, a flock of twenty buzzards is tracing lazy circles in the sky, just for the fun of it, I guess, (though maybe I shouldn't stand in one spot so long, looking up with my mouth open.) Even our 16 year old cat, Toaster, stuck her head out the door, sniffed the warm breeze, and ambled up the hill to sleep on a bed of pine needles under her favorite tree, dreaming perhaps, of when she was young and could climb trees and chase mice, enjoying laying in the sun of what will surely be her last Spring. I know a single tiny snowdrop isn't much, but when you live in the snowbowl, and a week ago had 9 inches of snow on the ground, it's a thrill that those in the Pacific Northwest will have a hard time duplicating (though I'd trade climates in a flash, having 30 years ago come within a whisker of setting up my medical practice in San Luis Obispo rather than moving back to Iowa)... I also know that every climate has it's cross to bear... my SIL the master gardener, who gardens on top of a cliff looking out over all of Tomales Bay right north of San Francisco, is always complaining how she spends hours weeding poppies out of her garden; she thinks I have a bad stomach, as I'm always making retching sounds when I visit her. Anyway, I sez it's Spring (even as the weather maps show a blue amoeba of cold air poised to pounce on us tomorrow night). Any other snowbelters showing anything, and are you with me on this Spring thing?
Don

My hyperactive ESP is telling me we'll have a cruel trick or two played on us this month. I've started the pepper and tomato seeds, but am late getting the fava beans in the ground - it has been so drearily overcast and drizzly for so long. If we do have a late freeze around the 20th, it will be followed almost immediately by full stage growing weather, and I will be woefully behind. There is a brilliant green carpet out there, thanks to masses of chickweed, and the huge clump of "Arp" rosemary is covered with intensely blue blossoms. Spring is being cautious here, but is definitely in the neighborhood.

Yes, definately spring. We are having a thaw and I am hoping that we will start seeing some of the migrating waterfowl soon..No plants yet, but am hoping for some early snow crocus soon. Thank the gardens, for my orchids!

i just go around to removing the eighteen inches of snow on my circular driveway, but while i'm removing it, i am thinking of starting seeds very soon.

I'll play! It was a wonderous 60+ beautiful day here too. A few of my daffodils should be open tomorrow or the day after, and I weeded today :)

I sort of thought it was spring here this past week when we had temps for a short time of 50 degrees, but then today it snowed, not much but enough to let me know it's not really spring. But I am planting seeds in the gh. Donna

Well, we're a little more back to reality today... a cold rain tonight with the prospect of some freezing rain or s***! However, the pair of red tailed hawks that nest on the bluff across the pond were cruising the sky today, appearing to almost hover at times, and more snowdrops are opening up, and I brushed back the dead leaves on the ground to find nice, green leaves on the Tipularia and the Aplectrum wild orchids, so can't complain, and tomorrow I'm up the tall extension ladder into the trees to start trimming up to let more light into the woods for more azaleas... so if I don't ever post again, just hope I didn't land on the snowdrops.
Don

This message was edited Feb 7, 2005 12:58 AM

My clematis started leafing out Friday and I'm afraid the roses will do the same today. I was hoping for a milder winter, but in my mind that still meant temps below freezing. 60 degrees is sure to trick many more things this week. As of yesterday, I could also see daylilies, irises, monarda (that hasn't ever died back, despite a couple weeks approaching 0!) and of course daffodils. I just hope Mother Nature has pity on all these poor things and doesn't zap them next week.

Be careful on that ladder!!!!

Michele

Even here near chicago the perennials are starting to sprout up....ans a few hyacinths got tricked by last weekend's thaw. Today is sunny and 35ish, but the ground is wet and soft....there are more birds again and my bunnies are itching to run around. Maybe spring will come early...at least it will be a pretty time waiting.
It feels so good, I was out for an hour just smelling the lavender and thyme...I need the spring to come. I need the sun.
Jennie

I'm with you lotsadirt, I'm ready for for Spring sunshine and green growing things!

Today, I found four juicy green aphids on a lemon I cut in half yesterday. Not fruitfly or anythin like that, APHIDS. I'm with you. It's officially spring.

I bought a whiskey barrel the other day at Lowe's and new cushions for my outdoor furniture. The cashier laughed at me when I said, "Silly groundhog...I don't care what he says -- Spring is coming any day now. I'll just keep acting like it is anyway..." :)

Thinking about sowing outdoor poppies soon :)

Anyone else notice the reddish hue on the trees? BUDS!

Yes! When I was out on saturday I saw a definte red cast to all the maples mixed in through the woods.

Dreams, dreams, it's all just dreams! lol More cold coming.....

I think you are right Laura. I'd love to see spring come and stay, but there is still more cold to come. Darn it anyway!

OK, but the plants don't know that....poor babies, they must get cold!

And the Chervil has been stubbornly ignoring winter....

And the Hens and Chicks came through just fine!

This is my first spring as a gardener. Not only am I seeing MY bulbs poking up leaves, I'm finding a bunch from the previous owner. What happens if it gets really cold again? I see daffodils that have BUDS already, isn't it way too early? I was absolutely fastidious in making sure I planted them the depth I was supposed to! I had a ruler with me!

Not to worry Razzie, your daffodills will be fine....Just wait and see!