The Sweetness of April

Don't you just love April? It may even be your favorite month. Here in central Ohio, April is really the first month that you can count on some warmth. There will likely be chilly days too, but by month's end, the days trend to more and more pleasant. But one of the best parts of April is the way that nature's colors return after the dreary winter.

It's almost like a carnival, with sherbet colored flowers, and deep green grass everywhere you look. There should be a vivid green crayon labeled April Grass, don't you think?

Even though we had a spot of snow a few weeks ago, for the most part, it actually worked to our advantage. The chilly air kept my tulips blooming much longer than usual. About every week, a new variety begins to bloom, with only one type still left to open.

Luckily, that snow is long gone, and the days are pleasant and warm. I've done a good bit of gardening already, but since our frost free date is still a few weeks out, there's a limit to what I can accomplish till then.

The cool season veggies are coming along nicely, except for the sugar snap peas. I must have gotten a bad batch of seeds, because they did not come up. I think I still have time to get them in before the hot weather arrives. We planted radishes, kohlrabi, lettuce, spinach, green onions, and carrots, along with the peas.

In a few weeks, it will be time to plant annuals and warm weather veggies. That's one of my favorite parts of gardening season. Until then, I'm enjoying the spring flowers in all their glory. There's just something about the colors of spring that can make your heart soar. Sweetness, there's just no other way to describe it.