What's in doing in your part of the country??? Pt.2

Happy Easter everyone...so nice to visit with you...hope you are enjoying in the festivities...

Thought perhaps my furnace had quit on me when I woke this morning..so very/very cold..of course I must have thought it sunshine/spring yesterday and turned it down a bit...temps dropped last night..it's a freezing but sunny day..2 in a row, how wonderful...

Hope weather is great in your neck of the woods...

Thunder Bay is still attached to its snow (not that we got much this winter) HOWEVER .. my Silver Mound has shown itself in the west garden !!! I literally 'WHOOPED" when I saw it :-)

Some nice pics in this forum ... even though I so look forward to spring .. I am a diehard Fall/Winter soul :-)

Happy Easter !!!

~M~

ginnylynn, I'm also known as the computer fixer-upper. I have 2 laptops sitting next to my desk awaiting repair. But I'd rather be in the garden. I also have a truck so about this time of the month I get a few calls to help people move but people forget that the truck is 50 years old and can only do so much.

It rained last night and everything looks fresh and the violas are blooming with vigour. I've always wanted to do the tulip/bulb fields in Mt. Vernon across the border so this Thursday I'm headed south to take lots of pics in the fields. Hopefully I'll still catch some of the crocus and get the Daffs. Tulips are mid to late next month. When I used to work for the Dutch flower auction as quality control, we'd do grower visits. One of the most interesting things to see is the greenhouse on train tracks. The greenhouse is rolled over an area to force bulbs early.

Unknown Narcissus in the ID forum. Pic taken infront of Vancouver Parks Board office parking area.

We just came out of a blizzard, that lasted 2 days,(Thursday and Friday). Saturday was very windy and cold. We have big drifts of snow everywhere, certain Rd were reduce to 1 lane.
Felt nice to see the sun today , but very cold, only sign of spring, are birds pairing up.

In Victoria today: Rain, wait 5 min. Sunshine, wait 5 minutes, Wind & Rain, and Thunder & hail. Rain in a huge downpour, wind that's knocking over plants in 10 gal tubs. Oh, and just know my DW hollers out "it's snowing!" 'Big wet flakes" I think it's time to end the day.

I hope it's decent where you are.

I know it's nothing compared to you hardy Easterners, but snow in Victoria in March is a rareity

Oh my! Mother Nature is not being very nice to you today, is she?

It's another beautiful and bright sunshiney day here today, but cool. We got another dusting of snow last night. I know it's not much, but I want it to be gone! Let's all think "spring" really hard, okay?

I'm thinking spring and have been for quite awhile..have to almost go back to my youth to remember one with so much snow..lol...that's going some..

MarilynneS - guess we never stop to think that others might thoroughly be enjoying this kind of weather..know my diehard sons who snowmobile are enjoying each and every day of it..I for one look at the Foxy Lady (boat) in my yard and yearn for open water and sunshine..

MG99, seens you are getting all the seasons wrapped up in one day..short lived though..

Growin, please take a few photo's..sounds just like the medicine we need...

Saw a rainbow on the way to work this morning, light snowfall, sun shinning and there it was in all it's glory..telling us that spring will indeed be just around the corner..at least that's what I'm hoping it's saying...

Burn, aren't those birds precious..sorry to hear you've yet another heavy snowfall..guess it is still March, but, it's been here long enough..

Saturday ( when I was inside all day doing doggie things) was lovely and sunny, Sunday morning was cold and windy, sun came out in afternoon but not too warm, woke up this morning to...SNOW!

I have been too busy to check weather forecasts so it was quite a surprise!

WEll .. we've 'turned a corner' of sorts here in TBay.

The deer who usually come through daily .. but .. in 'dribs and drabs .. are now almost herding in the back .. when I went out to the feeder this morning there were 14 mulling about waiting for me to empty the corn buckets. About an hour later I looked out back and SEVEN of them had bedded down .. now THAT is just not something you see .. so .. I think it means 'something' and since no one else wants to 'tag it' .. I'm saying it's a sign SPRING is very near :-) to heck with Wiarton Willie .. I'm going to depend on ONTARIO DOES ... some of whom are EXTREMELY pregnant !!!!


~M~

lol..I'll go with your senerio..hate to think what mine would be...and, why would they move along when someone so graciously feeds them...just think how many little ones will call your home their home!

Well Betty as much as spring is nice and things are 'agrowin' .. the Does disappear around the end of May and my next reddened date on the calendar is mid July .. that's when you look out back and are thrilled to goose bumps to see a Doe with her fawn (or twins or triplets) that one sight .. that one instant .. makes us all forget the Mosquitoes and just revell in the beauty of those lilttle ones .. all legs and such a gorgeous cinnamon colour with their white spots .. makes a life worth livin :-)


~M~

Sharing one of last years Does with her fawns :-)

Makes me smile a mile in anticipation of this years ....

~M~

Nice wildlife pics Burn and Marilynne!
Well, despite the dusting of more snow over night and the cold temps, I'm finally seeing some signs of spring here. Bulbs are breaking ground and my icky Silver Maples have those red clusters growing (whatever they are, they fall off and make a mess). And cats! Holy, there are quite a number of strays prowling around right now and meowing at one another. Wonder where they were hiding in the winter?

Erynne

I went to work today and it was sooooo cold. I didn't wear a warm enough jacket and it felt like snow. 'Bout noon it started getting sunny and warmed right up. I was surprised at the number of landscapers that came in today. I always thought it was a holiday but I guess that's from all my years working in the office.

There is an expensive condo building near the Granville Street bridge which have a few varieties of Magnolia planted that are starting to burst their colours. Quite nice. A woman passing me as I photographed these said they are like pink tissue paper.

Unknown Pink Magnolia

UGGGGGGGgggggggggggggg .. it snowed overnite .. wicked, wet stuff .. heavy to shovel so will be hauling out the snoblower once again .. as I am NON metricated .. :-) I am taking a guess at 2" +. However .. the temp is 32F .. so .. needless to say it'll melt and freeze overnight ... AHhhhhhhhhhhh dontcha juts love watching the BIRTH of spring .. the labour pains are long and intermittent .. but the final birth is such a joy :-)
Newfoundlanders may call this 'Sheila's Broom" .. sweeping away the remnants of winter 2007/08 .. I wish Sheila would carry a SHOVEL LoL

~M~

My area is under a heavy snowfall warning. Partial quote from Environment Canada's weather service:

Sitting here in the office in Toronto and the wind is up, sky is dark and heavy..although they were calling for rain here but a little north (of course where I live) it's to be snow..the temps have dropped rapidly this morning, I've the heater on in my office but can feel the cold coming through the window, so guess it's still winter..when looking at the weather channel is shows yet more to come over the weekend..better just sit, relax and wait for the real spring to arrive...

Love the photo's of the deer..when I lived at the farm is was a daily occurance to see deer/moose/bears/fox and cayote..do miss it all in town..trade offs for conveniences right?

Edited to remove this repeating post.

This message was edited Mar 25, 2008 9:08 PM

Gorgeous Magnolia, and sweet deers, I love nature.
Very very nice day here. So much fun to see the sun.
Ooooooooh Ginny and Betty, I feel for you, wish, they are wrong.
I know, this sun is not going to last, what you guys usually get, we get it the day after. and they have said snow for tomorrow.
This is the snow we have. That edge in the back is about 8' tall.

This message was edited Mar 25, 2008 1:58 PM

That snow amount is amazing. We are very dry here (Calgary). Had to water the flowerbeds & trees. We are @ less than 50% of normal YTD precipitation. The little skiff of snow yesterday didn't really amount to much.

You sent your snow east, right? Do you want it back? Please, please, please take it back!!! LOL You probably don't want it either huh?

It's been sorta rain, stop, sun, rain, cloud, drizzle, blow, rain, ..... Thursday is still forcast for partial sun so I'm taking advantage of that day. I'm itchin' to plant my giant sunflowers in my garden plot.

Yikes, that's alot of snow burn_2007!

My "Winter" Pansies in the coal bucket are finally starting to put on a show. You can see the banana starting to grow in the background. Didn't protect it at all this year.

Those pansies are beautiful. Last year I had planted pansies outside Mid April & they did fine. I think I need to go shopping & get some soon.

OH Growin .. the pansies are perfectly perfect .. ya made me smile as I stare out on that dang nabbit snow .. WHICH is melting :-)

Joanna .. I see we are in the same Zone .. did you plant the pansies (my all time favourites) close to the house? I MIGHT get by putting them in in mid May (post May15) we always get a frost (killer) near June .. but .. they'd have to be huggin the stucco for sure .. or ..planted in pots that I could move inside overnight (the cat would LOVE that idea) :-)

~M~

Marilyn if I plant pansies they stay there - all winter - many are quite hardy here - I have had some last several years and go under the snow with flowers on and in the spring the snow melts off and there are the pansy flowers!

WHOA ... and these are the 'ordinary' pansies or the Icicle pansies (which I have not been able to ge me grubby lil paws on as of yet .. they go on sale and are GONE in a day almost)

My mind (planting mind) is now in high gear :-)

~M~

Most pansies can handle down to -10C. I would cover them for the 1st few nights if it is colder than -2C. snapdragons & stocks also can handle sub zero temps. Last year they were in the middle of the yard in a pot, so no protection.

Take a look at the Jolly Jump-ups http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/253/ - I just updated the zone the other day and there's a comment from Valleyrimgirl Z2b Brandon, MB. I didn't know they self seed but I've always liked them.

Chionodoxa of some sort at Stanley Park, Vancouver.

Ordinary pansies Mariyn

burn_2007 - that snow looks an awful lot like what we have here in Ottawa. And a bit more promised. I finally called the city today to ask who is supposed to dig out the fire hydrants as they are completely covered in icy snow and have been for a few weeks.

ViolaAnn, I had heard you guys got a lot too, Isn't the city responsible to see to it that the fire hydrants should be cleared of snow in case of emergency? Quebec and Newfoundland got hit hard too. Photos were sent to one of my friend, of NFL , and the snow is almost reaching the roof in certain places there. Ever wonder, if it ever gonna melt???
I think we're gonna go over Spring and strait into Summer. :0)

I had Johnny jump up reseed here, and I have these one that come back every year.

burn - in a post - waaay up this thread ( http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4644306 ) I put a link to the winter pics I have on SmugMug.

And yes, the city (water dept.) is supposed to be responsible for digging out fire hydrants. They are supposed to be sending someone out to do it. We'll see if they come any better than someone to work on the ruts in the street.

Ann

Ann, I remember , you posting that link now, I had commented on your lights. Sorry I get these blanks sometime. Senior moments. ;))

Burn - how are your Corkscrew vines doing? Mine are growing like weeds!

Joanne

Love the pansies..lordie I'm moving west...lol..yep they sent their Alberta Clipper to us to enjoy and it's moving right along east..

We got off work 1 hr earlier yesterday because of bad weather conditions..

Burn your photo of winter is what I'm looking at out my back door! Wanted some patterns that I stored in bad shed but I'm 5' and well one just doesn't try to make their way almost in as much depth of snow..so will have to wait..

The flowers you are all posting gives warmth to my heart..I know it's coming and you've given me many ideas as what to be looking for (suitable for my zone 5) of course..

Last year I purchased an icicle lilac tree, one for me and one for DSIL and have been trying to research it and will be on the lookout for more..I would guess the status of 'icicle' only means its meant for cold weather zones..

Well off to the city, it's a work day....do hope your area has sunshine today and that you get to enjoy...

VIOLAS .. Johnny Jum .p Ups, HeartsEase .. luv'em :-) was trudging along between the University and the College one day about 3 years ago .. passed by a construction site .. WELL .. they had dug up a 'knoll' .. and hanging for dear life from one of the loader buckets was a gaggle of Violas .. the fella was on his break .. and I walked over and asked him if I could take the Violas .. he very nicely climbed onto the machine and fetched them for me and was happy to do so .. he was a gardener as well but had no place to put these Violas .. well .. I still have'em .. and they have proliferated TONS :-) luckily I put them in a rock garden that allows for their 'gangliness'.

~M~

I remember you telling us about your garden plot plans for sunflowers growin. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all turns out - it should be beautiful!

Had a nice liesurely drive home from work yesterday afternoon in whiteout conditions on slippery roads. As usual, there were some drivers who seemed to have forgotten already how to drive in that white stuff. One of them lost control in the oncoming lane and started skidding sideways right toward us. Luckily, we got out of the way easily and he managed to get his van back under control before he slid into the 6 foot deep ditch.

When we got home we found 8 brand new inches of heavy wet snow had fallen in our town, but it's supposed to be sunny and a high of 4 or 5 today so most of it should melt again. Now they're forecasting more snow for us for tomorrow.

I'm really trying hard here to not wish March was over. That's what I did with February and look what happened!

ginnylynn - here's my Sunflower project list so far in PDF format http://members.shaw.ca/magnolia/Sunflower%20Project.pdf . I only need a bit of 3-5' cultivars to fill in. I even found an antenna ball for the truck to celebrate "Sunflower Summer" http://www.happyballs.com/Merchant4/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Ab_Sunflower&Category_Code=&Store_Code=happyballs

My manager at the nursery called me yesterday to say all my coworkers have been falling like flies with a nasty flu so I'm off to work today.

Caltha palustris @ the nursery