Sunday, April 10, 2011

Glad I didn't listen to the groundhog...

I am so glad that I didn't listen to the groundhog. He was just flat out wrong- or as Conan O'Brien joked, maybe he froze to death and that is why he didn't see his shadow. Anyhow, contrary to the groundhog's prediction, spring has been taking its sweet time. The trees are still brown and the temperature is just now starting to warm. I have been cleaning up the gardens and ordering plants and bulbs from the nursery. I did plant out seeds for peas, spinach, lettuces, and carrots a week or two ago. These all love cool temperatures, so hopefully the seeds will germinate this week. It always makes me so happy to see those little sprouts pop up through the ground. Three years into vegetable gardening and it still seems magical.

A few weeks ago, I posted about forcing spring by bringing branches indoors to bloom early. This is my follow up post. It worked really well and I highly recommend doing this. It has been fun watching them come to life. I bought a large vase years ago and have never been able to find quite the right flowers to fill it. Branches are the perfect thing because they are more substantial. I chose a random collection of branches, but like how it looks. My favorite stems are from my climbing hydrangea- seem to be blooming better than it does outside!

Believe it or not, tomorrow is supposed to be 86 degrees- totally wacky. The following day's forecast shows a high of 61 degrees. Weird. Anyhow, until the outside comes to life, I continue to enjoy my forced spring. Or maybe with tomorrow's weather, we'll skip spring and run through the sprinkler... one never knows.

5 comments:

Emily said...

Your branches are so pretty. And 86 degrees sounds glorious. I hope you have your bikini ready!

jenny goodman said...

Wow! Enjoy your day of summer! If I had read this last night I might have hopped a plane and shown up on your doorstep!
Oh-and your branches look pretty.
J

Missy said...

Forcing spring, I like that. Good idea with the branches. I have a few tall vases where that might work. C'mon spring!

Michele said...

These turned out great!! Love the vase!! We sort of had Spring here today. 67 at our house... and playing outside with the kids! Pure bliss!!

Eileen said...

your branches are lovely!! and 86 degrees is just unfathomable. it was 56 today when we were driving into town--our water has been turned on from the canal which is always a hopeful sign.