Winter or Spring?

Many jokes circulate about weather patterns that change so quickly as to make our heads spin, However, I read recently that here in Ohio we have a genuine cause for this phenomenon. It seems that we're often found at the bottom edge of northern weather patterns or at the top of southern weather patterns. That explains a lot! But this year, it has been even more variable. I think we've covered all four seasons within a week's time several times over.

But over all, this winter has been milder than usual, even if it does keep trying to come back to haunt us. When ever the weather warms for a few days, I have to run out to see what's in bloom. Invariably, those same blooms will quickly droop when the temps drop rapidly soon thereafter.

It's only mid March, so I suppose that the roller coaster weather patterns will continue for some time yet. That's okay. I don't expect much from March garden-wise. It could all get buried in snow again soon. Or we could get a warm spell, and every blooming tree will pop. You just never know in central Ohio in March. That's why I tend to pamper a few indoor blooms this time of year.

I did go ahead and purchase most of the seeds I'll need for the garden. Cool season veggie crops can go in soon, actually. And we grow lots of those, including carrots, radishes, lettuce, spinach, kohlrabi, and sugar snap peas. Of course I ordered my flower seeds too. I also picked up various summer tubers for planting when the weather gets truly warm. Meanwhile, these simple early spring bulbs will keep me happy.

Is it winter or is it spring? Who knows? I guess we'll all just have to hang on for the ride. All I know is it's slowing greening up, and that's progress. Don't be too dazzled by the flowers you see here. Most are small and barely noticeable to anyone but me. I suppose you can see the daffodils from the road. But only when they aren't being weighed down by snow.

Maybe someday the weather will make up its mind?

Winter Winding Down

I've sure enjoyed this mild winter. Well, enjoyed might be an overstatement. I'm still not a fan of winter, but this one was more tolerable than usual. We only had a few light snows, and mostly mild temperatures. But the best part of a mild winter is that it's usually followed by an early spring. Usually I have to rush spring by forcing amaryllis bulbs in the kitchen.

And don't we all buy those grocery store primroses at the end of winter? Mine will be planted out once they fade, and they do return reliably for me.

But the very, very start of the spring garden season is not a flower at all. Late winter is when sedum Angelina really shines. While it's a lovely chartreuse green all summer long, this time of year it comes in all shades of yellow, orange and red. Just when the rest of the world is drab and bland, this ground cover can give your garden much needed pizazz. It spreads quickly, but is never invasive.

Hellebores start off the garden season for many, but not for me. My hellebores are early, but they aren't the first to show up. They usually bloom in March, even though the buds form long before that.

Now many people might think that snowdrops are the first flower of the year. Maybe they are at your house, but not here. I really should plant more of these. This little guy is the lone snowdrop found. I've heard others say they spread like crazy, but that hasn't been true for me.

Maybe crocus is the first flower to bloom at your house? Not for me. I did see a lawn full of crocus today, and it really made my heart swell. Maybe someday I'll be ambitious enough to try planting a lawn full of crocus. But in the meantime, I'll enjoy my own spring favorite. The first to bloom at my house is always iris reticulata Harmony. It's such a gorgeous periwinkle blue, but the reason that I love it so is simply because it's the first flower to bloom after a long, cold winter.

It was so warm and pleasant here today that I was able to finish up the winter cleanup outside. I don't think I've ever been able to complete that task in February. It was at the end of this chore that I found this cute little iris. I think it was my reward for a job well done.

EDIT---No word yet on our possible change of venue, except that it's highly likely that we'll be able to stay here after all. Nothing certain yet, but should be soon.