Bluebirds are out and about, displaying nesting behavior.
The multiplier onions Larry planted last Fall are beginning to sprout.
The skunks are out too, in force. Their perfume is scenting the nights and mornings. Is it time to make skunk grease for your medicine chest?
I am searching roadsides for first signs of coltsfoot blooms and my favorite, the bloodroot flower (pictured here).
And Larry and I were out yesterday evening, planting peas, carrots, spinach and radishes and poking hopefully in flower beds for signs of spring flowers emerging. The daffodils are the only ones awake, it seems, sending their green leaves only an inch or two about the safety of the soil.
I wanted to clean out my flower beds but thought better of it because those piled up leaves are providing some mulch protection, and I do believe we have a little more winter to see before it's safe to uncover the gardens.
How about you? Are you feeling the itch to get out in the gardens? Are you planting yet?
Here are a few stories to bring us a little literary Spring:
Old Man Winter tried to lock up Spring in a Scandinavian folktale. Read how Spring was saved here.
An adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's story of the snowdrop and many other Spring stories for little children are on the Apples for the Teacher website.
And you can learn more about Hans Christian Andersen, and the Bulgarian forest spirits called samodiva, on Zikata's beautiful blog.
Want Spring poems and stories for children? Try this site.
Now that we're all fired up for gardens, flowers and birds--watch it snow again!
Love your blog. Yes I have the skunks and the robins are coming more each day. It must be a sign of spring..
ReplyDeleteThe robins were here, too. Though I think some wish they'd worn their hoodies.
ReplyDeleteAnd the little rosettes of various plants have taken on a hopeful look. I can't say they're greener, exactly, it's more like an inner life beginning in them.
I miss the lovely plants -- it'll be so good to see them. I don't mind telling you I talk to them when they get back. Hello yarrow, hello coltsfoot. I've missed you!
Soon...soon...soon...
Susanna I'm trying to shoo spring your way as fast as I can! It was foggy as all get out this morning but now the sun is out bright and it's 71 degrees. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteMy mother is definitely feeling the itch. She's already out there, planting and weeding and making excuses for it when we question her.
ReplyDeleteJai
Hi Susie, and welcome! I just ducked over and enjoyed some of your poetry.
ReplyDeleteI talk to the plants too, Kate--I've been scolding the trout lilies for years. I know where they are but they just won't bloom. I saw a whole field of them on Point Mtn and was astonished. Lovely sight.
I'll take it, Mama-bug! I have enjoyed this winter, truly I have. It's been a real winter, the kind where the snow stays on the ground for days and weeks. Now I am ready to see spring.
ReplyDeleteJai, your mom is just "tidying up," right? I want to but I'll give it another 2 weeks before I start.
The skunks are out in full force around here too. P.U. Our local Mennonite community is predicting another big snow in March. They say the biggest of the season. The bad thing about this is that their predictions have been spot on for the past few years.
ReplyDeleteActually I AM watching it snow again! No gardening for me today I'm afraid and not during the last week either as it's been too wet and cold.
ReplyDeleteYikes, Farmchick! They're probably right. But big March snows tend to leave quickly--I say hopefully. And Rowan, that's a wake-up call for all of us spring dreamers. Still, it will come before another 6 weeks passes and I can live with that. Each season in its own time.
ReplyDeleteI planmted lettuce yesterday, but in a pot I ca haul in should we get more winter. If I keep the pot on a chair perhaps the rabbits won't be able to help themsleves so easily.--Jane
ReplyDeletePretty much. We tell her to leave it till March at least but she can't help herself.
ReplyDeleteJai
Jane, that's a good idea. I want to get something set up next winter to have lettuce all the way through. I think it can be done, but I'll have to figure out how. A pot with a grow light, maybe?
ReplyDeleteI completely understand your mother, Jai! I am itching to get at it. My dogs, meanwhile have decided that one of my flower beds is a good place to dig up and lay down. So some bulbs got uncovered today that certainly didn't expect it. I love my dogs but I get so angry when they get in my gardens. They have 80 acres to roam, why can't they leave a few square feet alone?
ReplyDeleteI have spring fever so, I can taste it -- but here in Iowa, I'm not supposed to plant potatoes and such until Good Friday. That's two months away! I set up a cold frame today as that spring fever has set it. I'll plant radishes, onions and lettuce and try to stretch the growing season a little. Begone cabin fever! Out!
ReplyDeleteLike, Nance!
ReplyDelete