Monday, March 30, 2015

The Wait

The calendar says we are in Spring now, even though it is snowing outside.  It snowed on the first day of Spring as well, ironically.  I think Winter has decided not to go without a fight.


But thankfully Spring has insisted on a few days of her own.  Cold days now alternate with warmer ones, the snow is slowly receding, and, lo and behold, green things are starting to push their way up.


Snowdrops transplanted from a friend's garden into mine (and nearly accidentally dug back up several times) hold budding flowers.  Being planted next to the house brings them into an extra microclimate of warmth.  I never thought I should care so much for white flowers after such a white winter, but I can't help but be excited at the thought of blooms in any color after so many months.


Even with the wintery days, gardeners' faith in a returning Spring is demonstrated in the planting of seeds.  Here at the Red House Garden, we've opened the new greenhouse back up, installed grow lights, and plugged the space heater back in.  It is now an interesting challenge to keep my seedlings from freezing during the night and cooking during sunny afternoons.

Jalapeño pepper seedlings
During a few of the wintery weeks, I winter sowed about twenty different kinds of perennial seeds.  Groups of milk jugs are scattered around my backyard, full of seeds waiting for the right time to germinate.


Hopefully it won't be too long, now.

spring shoots of a Clematis that was overwintered in the greenhouse
Happy Spring to those of you whose gardens have already come to life.
And happy dreams of Spring to those gardeners who, like me, still lie in wait.

29 comments:

  1. Oh my, that sure looks cold! I'm happy that spring is making herself known, albeit slowly, in your garden!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel like I am just hunkering down and waiting for Spring to get here - me and all the other New Englanders! The temperatures are rising, so there is hope!

      Delete
  2. Hello Indie!
    I'm surprised snow. Your snowdrops are beautiful. For me, a long time ago overblown. I do not know Jalapeño pepper. In my country, there is no such seeds.
    My peppers are already quite large. Yet I can not plant because it can come frost.
    Indie, thank you very much for visiting.
    I send greetings.
    Lucia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting that you don't have Jalapeño peppers there! They are originally from Mexico, so maybe that is why they are so popular here. The Jalapeños are much beloved by my husband, who loves spicy food.

      Delete
  3. I love that you have a peek of green..I think I have some too, but it is snowing again....Michelle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's got to stop snowing one of these days, right? That's what I've been telling myself... :)

      Delete
  4. I'm sure it will arrive soon but I hope it won't be a short one like ours. We are in summer already and the poor spring flowers don't last a minute. Snowdrops peaking though the snow are so lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had that problem oftentimes when I lived in North Carolina, too - the spring was far too short! I'm hoping with this cooler weather that we'll at least have a prolonged spring!

      Delete
  5. We really have had similar weather this year, even with the warmer days on the way this week. I am sure spring is pushing her way in and pushing winter out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Spring needs to be a little pushier in my opinion, but things will happen when they happen. I guess it makes us appreciate the growing season all the more, right?

      Delete
  6. It seems like spring is giving us warm air, but cold soil...and the same to you also. But one fine day it's going to happen, and then it will cartwheel into spring for you also.

    Hopefully soon. Gosh I love those snowdrops.

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so nice to see something blooming! I just found another patch of them I had apparently planted. Such a nice surprise!

      Delete
  7. Spring may be a little bit delayed there but it certainly doesn't stop a determined gardener :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really do need to learn a little patience - it might be more relaxing that being so determined to grow something despite the cold :)

      Delete
  8. Hi Indie, it certainly looks cold, but maybe it's worth it to be able to capture a photo as magical as that first one of the little black and white bird on the bare branches with a snowy background? I hope the weather warms up asap.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, glad you like the photo! The snow can be very pretty, but I've just had enough of it :)

      Delete
  9. I'm so sorry you have more snow, Indie! It has warmed up here, and I've started garden clean-up once again. I hope the warmer temps are headed your way soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The thermometer is slowly inching up. It's supposed to be fairly warm this weekend. I can't wait!

      Delete
  10. More snow? Ugh! My winter sowing is starting to sprout, although a few are still waiting for warmer temps. I use a different method to winter sow but it's the same basic idea. :o) Love the purple stems on those peppers. :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm not totally sure my seedlings are supposed to have purple stems, but hopefully they'll turn out fine :)

      Delete
  11. Winter is hanging on, isn't it? It's nice to see parts of the ground again but it seems like the snow will never go away.....I'm itching to dig in the dirt!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. One of these years I want to try winter sowing in jugs. It didn't work for me directly in the ground--probably because of too much shade and Oak leaf mulch. But I should try the jugs. I hope spring will come quickly for you now. It's starting to show its face here in the Midwest, and it is lovely! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, try the jugs. They do have to be in at least part sun. I have found they don't germinate well either if they are in too much shade. Definitely looking forward to a lovely spring!

      Delete
  13. Snow finally gone from here and a warming trend is beginning. Rain tomorrow, maybe, which we badly need. Like you, I'm starved for the first bits of color in the garden after the long, long winter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My bulbs are starting to come up, so I've been going out to look at those little green shoots daily. It helps :)

      Delete
  14. What beautiful flowers and buds starting finally and I bet your garden has really started to spring up. Just finally getting rid of snow and now tons of rain so not many flowers here.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comment!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...