Spring is in the air? More like summer!
Mid March.
By all reckoning it should be cool, lows in the upper 20’s, highs in the 40’s and 50’s. After a nearly non-existent winter in this part of the country, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I sure didn’t expect this. Low 80’s? In March? We could still have snow by the calendar! We’ve had about a 10 days stretch of record setting temps, and it’s not supposed to abate until late next week, with only moderate chance of rain until then.
I hate to be a wet blanket for all the folks that are loving this weather, but…… Warm and low moisture is not a good combination for the garden. Frankly I’m a bit concerned. We can only take what nature gives us, but I’ll be monitoring this situation closely!
Now to brighten things up a bit I took a walk about in the garden, and despite the warm temps we’re only about a week ahead of schedule. Finally there is color!
These little iris are one of my favorites. Well, really everything here is, as this burst of life is always welcome after the drabness of winter.
Here’s a cheerful miniature landscape.
The different crocuses (crocii?) are lovely in the morning sun.
In the back, the hellebore shyly bows her face.
C’mon, look at me.
In the vegetable garden, the garlic I started back in late autumn is out from under the straw blanket and has greened up nicely in the warm weather. Notice the crocus (in the middle) and tulip (top right) that have forced their way through the groundcloth and up through the bed! This what happens when you put in raised beds where you once had flowers.
This kale overwintered just fine. I’ll be harvesting it before I top off the beds with compost.
I better get busy as I have much work to do! Have a great weekend. How does your garden grow?
Keep Digging and Eat Well!
March 17, 2012
I share your concerns about the weather, David. We already have drought orders in some parts of the UK, after another really dry Winter. The Garden Centres must be stocking up with Cacti now! I love your photos of the Crocuses with the sun shining through them.
March 17, 2012
Drought orders = watering ban? I’m going to be moving the water barrel installation from the remote plot to here in the next days. Whatever water we get, I intend to capture!
March 17, 2012
Hi David,
What lovely spring photos-I just love the sunlight on those purple crocus too.
Here in South Wales, the weather is also quite mild and everything in the garden seems to be bursting into life…fingers crossed now…
March 17, 2012
Thank you Green Dragonette. With the mid-day sun overhead it’s headed to the mid 20’s!
March 17, 2012
We keep hearing about our rain deficit here but it rains just about every weekend. As far as this being nature, I think our weather might just be a bit unnatural. I am sure we will hear the real reason eventually.
March 17, 2012
Be glad for the rain you’ve gotten. I don’t remember the last time it rained here.
March 18, 2012
Yes, this weather is as wonderful as it is unexpected. And we’ve gotten spoiled. Can you imagine what will happen if our temps return to normal? Even highs in the 50’s will seem cold. You’re right, too, about the need for rain. I’ve not heard how the farms to our South have fared. This could prove to be an expensive Summer at the produce markets. Still, having said all that, it sure is nice to see the crocus up, isn’t it?
March 18, 2012
Just came home from a 4 day trip and all the forsythia’s are blooming – I am going to start a bloom calendar so I can chart from year to year – beautiful pictures.
March 19, 2012
That’s a great idea Mo. I find the blog is a great way to check back and see what happened when.
March 25, 2012
I have been trying to take advantage of the weather. It does cause me some concern, though. Last year at this time we were barely able to do any garden work because of all the rain we received. Hopefully, this is not foreshadowing weather. When I was out in the garden this week I was surprised to see my garlic popping up from under the protective straw. I am really looking forward to a good garlic year.
March 26, 2012
Garlic is up about 6″ now Spencer. First time growing it… I look forward to it too!
March 25, 2012
Hi David; Yes drought orders do impose bans on the use of hosepipes etc.(which we gardeners think is unfair, since there is no limit imposed on overall consumption). We have had so little rain here since Christmas that my water-butt is already nearly empty.
March 26, 2012
I’ve got a series of three which will provide up to 170 gallons. We finally got about half an inch. It should help.
March 30, 2012
Love the photos of your spring flowers. We had unseasonably warm weather for five days in a row, but the weather is now back to normal. 40 – 50 F in the day and 20 – 30 F at night. We had a mild winter with not much snow and are about 5 inches lacking in rainfall amounts. It will be very interesting to see what summer brings.
March 30, 2012
Thanks Karen, I should have more shots tomorrow. Weather has returned to more seasonal here as well. I am planning the water barrels and shade cloth if needed. Thanks for stopping by!