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The Tiiniest Hints of Spring....Any in Your Yard?

10 years ago

I am beyond ready for spring! Last week we cleared out all the dead plants from pots, wheeled out the big sago palms that have wintered in the basement, replaced a potted yaupon holly, put begonias in hanging baskets which were freshened up with black paint beforehand and put out potted geraniums on our bedroom porch and around a deck. And one of my favorite flowers, freesia, went in the pots by one of the staircases.

Do you have any hints of spring to share? Post photos!!

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Comments (37)

Sueb20
10 years ago
We live in the Boston area, so my hints of spring aren't photo-worthy, but I do have about 1/2" of daffodil foliage peeking out of the ground! Of course, we're getting more snow this week, so it will be covered up soon... ugh.
User
Original Author
10 years ago
I always think daffs look so brave when they are peeking through snow, sueb20. I hope you don't get hit by another really big storm, you've had more than your share this year.
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Some discussion on recent posts regarding pile moisture control has occured, so addressing this issue with regard to the techniques I use, to try and avoid confusion between my methods and advice, and somebody else's. At this time, not going to discuss pile insulation properties, drainage, or forces that move internal-to-external gas (vapor). Serious composters agree that moisture retention in compost pile material is critical. To the degree that composting material is not sufficiently moist (to promote high microbial activity), decomposition is restricted. After watering a pile, most composters think of pile moisture retention as mostly relative to external air flow (that airflow is needed)...And that well-aerated pile material can get 'too wet'. I disagree, and those two distictions separate my methodology from the 'accepted' perception. The proof I offer to validate my distinctions, is the high quality of my harvested product, and the high speed by which the decomposition process is completed. Air flow is relative to moisture loss only to the degree that drier air can penetrate into the pile from the outside, and studies have shown that such air flow pressure is minimal - to only a few inches, even with coarse pile material and strong winds. My piles suffer external drying effects from wind only 1/4" to 1/2". An exposed pile (no support structure) or 'open' structure (such as wire-sided cage) are subject to much greater moisture loss, depending on the coarseness and natural compaction of materials used, and also relative to square footage of non-insulated ground contact. A pile built on sand will lose moisture more rapidly than one built on clay, and very little loss if on a solid surface. Similarly, covering a pile with a non-permeable membrane (such as a tarp or plastic sheeting) is only effective to the degree that it reduces flow from the inside of the pile, exhausting TO the perimeter. Would have to be very tight, to hold moisture in. An enclosed pile (hat/straw bales, wood, cinderblock, etc.) is more protected from external air flow, but perimeter drying of material against the enclosure structure still occurs, causing an ever-widening gap that will permit even greater moisture loss. Since there's very little airflow in a 4-sided enclosure - how do you account for that phenomenon? Think about it. It's not caused by external air flow, but rather shrinkage from decomposition. All that being said, I think that composters have been thinking "backward" about this issue for centuries. Yeah, I know - but hear me out. I have found that external air flow (into a pile by wind force, i.e., pressure), is the smaller part (osmosis or the 'wicking effect) related to the total effect of internal pile moisture loss. I take a 'deeper' view, based on my extensive moisture testing, to demonstrate that the technique of 'tamping' pile edges significantly reduces moisture loss - by creating a "barrier" as PART of the pile. My piles do not need additional watering between turns, even in drought (arid) conditions (which my location has suffered for more than 6 months to date). You can see in my photo on this thread, how the vertical-sided piles stand without any support - because of this same compaction technique. The benefit of internal pile moisture control is actually a by-product of the 'layer-tamping' technique, as is heat 'insulation'. 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However, I do take steps to ensure that previously compacted (edge) material is sufficiently aerated and moved to pile bottom center on the next turn, identified in my earlier discussion about 'scalping' a pile. Moisture loss in my piles is minimal, due mostly (in my opinion) by 'snugly' compacting the outer 3" perimeter of a pile - to restrict moisture from moving from the inside to the outside of a pile. I NEVER compact internal material. Only perimeter. Also experimenting with placing a layer of 'tight' material (such as aged manure or pre-soaked grass clippings) on the TOP of a flat pile called 'capping'. Compacting external sides, develops a more highly-controlled internal composting environment to effectively retain moisture and air in pile materials, and produces high-quality (higher humus percentage) product, faster than anybody else I know of. Am gathering evidence and working with a couple of measuring device manufacturers to utilize current gas measurement/movement technology, and develop a scientific method for using it, to prove my hypothesis. The Frame Technique of 'tamping' sides works very well in wire and solid-side bins, too. Consider experimenting with it. Fact is, sides of a bin don't support the sides of pile material after just a few days of 'settling' anyway. But I'll tell you up front - if a pile is not LAYERED when built/rebuilt - compacting pile sides will NOT work as effectively as it could. As soon as the composting section of my website is built, then all the details of the Frame Technique will be available in one place, with photos, which will be much easier to understand. Robert
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User
10 years ago
kswl..you will want to cover up/put away/protect all of that for Tuesday!! One last punch of below freezing and the wind will really be something on Tuesday. Our daffs are almost done and my crocus are done. Dogwoods are opening. Flowering crabs are gorgeous as are the Yoshino Cherry. Azaleas are starting and camellias have been stunning !
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Tuesday : Sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.
Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
User
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi Trail, I know we should have waited another week or two but I couldn't stand the bare yard any longer! We'll be out with plastic Tuesday night..
User
10 years ago
I've got yellow and purple crocuses popping up, and the greenery of daffodils sprouting, here on Cape CodÃ¢ÂÂ¦and a blizzard on its way for tomorrow night!
tinam61
10 years ago
It is a bit early here in SE TN to put out annuals. My star magnolia (some call it tulip tree) is in full bloom and the Bradford Pears are close. Forsythia and Quince are blooming. I saw the first bridal wreath yesterday. Daffodils have peaked, I've seen plenty of hyacinth, but no tulip blooms yet. My candy tuft is going strong! I have enough blooming to hold me over for a few weeks. We are freezing temps coming tonight and tomorrow night. Weatherman is predicting the is the last real cold for our area.
outsideplaying_gw
10 years ago
Early daffodils have been beautiful for a couple of weeks and others are starting to bloom now. My tulip magnolia has been blooming but the freeze tomorrow night may turn it brown, sadly. Redbuds are beginning to bloom but no dogwood yet. Lots of greening up beginning on some things I noticed this weekend.
camlan
10 years ago
I can now see about 4 square feet of ground, surrounded by piles of snow, in the center of the yard that gets sun all day long.

Or should I say I can now see about 4 square feet of mud?

And I heard birds chirping this morning.
joyce_6333
10 years ago
We had 0 degrees this morning, and still have lots of snow on the ground. So it will be awhile yet before we see anything green. Supposed to get up to freezing today, with sunshine, so hoping some of the snow melts. Long winter...anxious for spring.
fouramblues
10 years ago
There are lots of crocuses and snow drops in the woods in front of our house, but nothing in our yard yet. But spring sure is coming to MD - I heard the spring peeper frogs on Saturday night (I sure hope the little fellows are surviving this cold snap we're having!), and my tree pollen allergies have already started. Love your cheery pic, kswl!
annkh_nd
10 years ago
The drift in the back yard is down from 7 feet to about 3 feet, and I can see some brown grass. Whoo Hoo.

I'm watching for hawks - they tend to arrive here before robins. And I'm told the snowy owls have headed north already.
violetwest
10 years ago
Yes! My fig tree that I planted last October has survived the winter and now has tiny figlets

This post was edited by Violet.West on Mon, Mar 24, 14 at 12:09
beachpea3
10 years ago
Yet another North of Boston report....one very brave crocus is trying to come up through the snow and ice on the south side of the house ....the rest are probably waiting to see how their little "sister" is doing...

Battening down the hatches for yet another snow storm...a nor'easter too... We are more than ready for Spring!
User
Original Author
10 years ago
I guess I should not be complaining about our weather but instead should be grateful our day temps are consistently hovering around 59 or 60 lately. I do hope this is the LAST big storm you GWers in the north get this year. Your crocuses and chirping birds are definite harbingers of Spring, so surely it won't be long!

Violet, your figlette is too cute, I love it!
violetwest
10 years ago
Thanks -- I'd never even planted a seed or pulled a weed before I bought this house; so it's pretty gratifying to see the fig, pomegranates, vitex tree that I planted in the fall all surviving.

Planting time is here again!
tinam61
10 years ago
Ha! I should have mentioned the sound of lawn mowers! We noticed several near us this past week, but so far we have held off. Not gonna make it much longer though!
woost2
10 years ago
Ground is still frozen solid below one inch. The only green thing at the edge of the woodland is .... garlic mustard. B'ah!
User
Original Author
10 years ago
Tina, it sounds very pretty with the spring bulbs and trees in bloom up there is Tennessee! I'm surprised people are mowing there though, as we haven't wont need to mow for at least another month. I don't like the sound of movers but do love the smell of freshly cut grass.
User
10 years ago
You're gonna kill me ...

Orange blossoms are still in bloom and have been for a month
Tomatoes are setting fruit
Chilis ripening

And I'm harvesting basil.
PRO
Whitelacey
10 years ago
I have four crocuses blooming. More snow tomorrow.

Linda

This post was edited by whitelacey on Mon, Mar 24, 14 at 16:09
tinam61
10 years ago
Yes, it is such a pretty time of year. I think people are rushing it just a bit, but our yard has really "greened up" in the last couple of weeks and would probably look better if it were mowed. We're holding out - once you start, well you've got to keep it up! LOL

Our dogwood festival is next month. We do not have any dogwoods blooming yet but my husband and my dad swear they saw one yesterday. (I think it was another kind of tree LOL)
deegw
10 years ago
I'm near the GA/FL line. I have some azaleas that are ragged but blooming and our grass is about 50% green.

We have a crazy cardinal that keeps attacking our car mirrors thinking that his reflection is a rival.
cold_weather_is_evil
10 years ago
lazygardens, I understand. Moving on now to a hint of summer...
rosesstink
10 years ago
Everything is covered with snow here - and it is snowing right now. The arrival of some red-winged blackbirds at the feeders is my sign of spring so far.
decordummy_gw
10 years ago
I envy all of you. Yesterday we had -10 fahrenheit - yes MINUS (and that's minus 23 celsius).

Tomorrow it's supposed to go up to minus 2 Celsius (28 Fahrenheit).
Holly- Kay
10 years ago
Hah! Spring? I'll believe it when I see it. I have seen robins but that is it. The road crews were applying liquid salt today in preparation for the snow that is expected tomorrow.
User
Original Author
10 years ago
When spring does finally come to the frozen U.S, you will appreciate it tenfold! I am afraid though that we will go directly from winter to summer, since the cold lasted so long. That's what happened last year and we really missed the milder weather.

Lazygardens and coldweatheris evil.... I don't blame you for a little gloat now and then... when we lived in Florida full time the winters and spring were so perfect I used to wonder how people in other parts of the US survived their winters. We've lived in some very cold places, and I am glad to be in a more temperate zone now. I spent one memorable winter in the Netherlands and thought I would NEVER be warm again. You know, just like Scarlett, all drama and swish, except with weather, not carrots ;-)
happy2b…gw
10 years ago
Several osprey are scouting around even though round #? of winter blast is almost upon us. Another 3-5 inches of snow is expected tomorrow and temps in the 20's and 30's this week.
stolenidentity
10 years ago
when I walk in our 'hood it smells so good :
nini804
10 years ago
Y'all, this is been the absolutely worst winter...and I am in the south! (NC) Honestly, when I hear about the horrible weather in the NorthEast and MidWest, I just feel so bad for you and try to count my blessings here...but it has been pretty awful for us, relatively speaking. I just can't seem to get warm, and every time we get a pretty day in the upper 60's or heaven forbid, low 70's...it's like Mother Nature says..."ha-ha, PSYCH!" and sends some nasty cold rain or lovely ice that we enjoyed so last week. *eye roll* I am DONE. I will NOT complain about the heat and humidity this summer, if we are even so blessed as to have a summer. No sir, I will embrace sticking to my car seat and ringing out my shoes after a morning jog. I am so tired of being cold. :(

Ah, well, we do have some Spring things trying to put on a show in our yard. Our forsythia is lovely, and my brave hydrangeas are putting out their new, baby leaves. No dogwoods yet, but cherry trees and Bradford pears are blooming. Of course, if it is cold and windy...that will decimate their blooms. Grass is green and pretty. I try to cheer myself up by looking at it from the confines of my warm house. Spring, please arrive! (I feel guilty saying that when y'all are dealing with much worse.)
Annie Deighnaugh
10 years ago
Well the woolly bears predicted a long winter and a late spring...so far, so accurate.
Bethpen
10 years ago
I guess we should be battening down the hatches here on Cape Cod. I've heard everything from 3 inches to two feet expected for tomorrow/Wednesday. The snow doesn't scare me as much as heavy winds. This time of year the snow melts quickly, but power crews can take a while to catch up.

I'll be happy to have some warm weather.
User
Original Author
10 years ago
Those hyacinths smell good even on the internet, sasafras!

Nini, I know exactly what you mean.... tomorrow night we'll be wrapping stuff up like it was January. Our dogwoods are terrified.

So sorry, bethpen, I hope it's the last.

Annie, I think we should start with that fool groundhog. Replace Phil and the rest of the wildlife should fall in line ;-)
bpath
10 years ago
Spring? What's that?
jenna1
10 years ago
We just can't believe the weather these past months in other states. My BFF lives in the NW part of Georgia and asked me when Spring is really supposed to arrive, not when the calendar said. I had to very smugly tell her that I was in shorts, tank top and barefoot all day long. I don't think she's talking to me now. :)

It was 92* here today and expected to be 91* tomorrow. I could never survive the cold, snow and ice elsewhere. And to think I was born in Wisconsin and spent a good portion of my youth living in Germany.

I'm so very thankful we now live in the western part of Arizona, on a lake. On the other hand, when the Summer temps reach 120 plus I'll be the one groaning and my GF will be the one gloating.

Jenna
kitschykitch
10 years ago
The plants on our balcony are still sad, valiant strugglers here in NYC.
patricianat
10 years ago
When in your garden, forsythia is lit in bright golden posies, take out your scissors and prune your roses. My Eastern and tulip magnolias are blooming, my flowering quince are blooming, the roses are pudding on bud, the Chinese fringe plants are fuschia and the bridal wreath are bathed in tiniest white flowers. My neighbor's dogwoods are budding, my Japanese plums are budding and tiny snakes are crawling out to meet the sun.

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