I believe this is the first time I’ve actually had daffodils blooming at (before!) the Spring Equinox. Freaky. Compare to last March, in which nothing was blooming outside. Compare further to last April, which is what this March looks like.
Snowdrops have been up for a couple of weeks.
Crocuses, looking like they did in April 2011.
In the herb garden, chives coming along well. Other herb action: winter savory, catnip, mint, oregano, and parsley. No sign of the tarragon yet.
Last year the kale survived because of thick snow cover. This year it survived because it never really got cold.
Last fall I planted about 100 bulbs in this bed in front of the house.
Hyacinth bud.
The honeysuckle is getting ready to bloom. Looks like it’ll be in flower when the hummingbirds get here.
The garlic bed pleases me.
I also have kale, onions, cabbage, broccoli, eggplant, and impatiens started inside under lights. Peas, radishes, and spinach to be direct-sown this weekend.
Can I just start by saying how utterly miserable this winter has been? Yes, I’m probably the only person who feels this way, and I know, last winter was difficult. But right now I feel totally disconnected from the seasonal cycle; how am I supposed to await the coming of spring when it’s already been here for months? It’s disorienting and really unpleasant.
Anyhow, the December and January state of the gardens didn’t happen. And nothing’s blooming outside in my garden (though I hear tell of snowdrops in nearby vicinities), so for actual flowers you’ll have to be satisfied with houseplants.
African violets doing pretty well in eastern-facing window.
Rosemary flower – only one on the plant.
Is my bay tree going to flower? This looks like a bud, and there are a few others on the plant. It’s never bloomed before. I was planning to repot it later this spring, but if it’s happy enough to flower in the pot it’s in now, maybe best leave it alone?
I forced paperwhites this year. Dead easy. It was supposed to be an antidote to winter if we got one like last year….
I overwintered a primrose! That’s never happened before. I’ve had this since last March, and I think those little nubs coming up from the center are going to be flower stalks. Should I fertilize, I wonder? (I’m pretty clueless about fertilizing – my outdoor plants get by on compost and manure, and my houseplants just get water.)
A couple of weeks ago I cut some forsythia for forcing. Sitting in a south-facing window, these ones are the furthest along.
I’m also forcing one amaryllis. Not quite as easy as the paperwhites, but not difficult either (I should really wait till it blooms to say that).
Moving outside now, tons of bulbs are up. These are daffodils. Last year they bloomed in April. This year…?
Swelling buds of lilac and quince.
Lastly, my garlic. I planted a whole 4’x8′ bed of garlic last fall at 4 plants per sq ft; here is the result.
