Saturday, March 12, 2016

The Year of the Early Spring

I haven't been around much on the blogosphere the last couple of weeks.  I blame traveling, computer troubles, a busy schedule...

and being outside in my garden.

Eranthis hyemalis aka Winter Aconite
It's been a very early spring here in New England after a record setting warm winter all across the continental United States.

snowdrops
On Wednesday temperatures in Boston soared to a record high of 77°F (25°C).
I started preparing the beds in my vegetable garden.
I even planted my snow peas.

Iris reticulata 'Katharine Hodgkin'
This is only my third spring gardening up here in New England, but, compared to the last couple of years, my bulbs are blooming a full month earlier.

Iris danfordiae
In the past I've seen my earliest blooms around the beginning of April.
This year my earliest Snow Crocus bloomed on February 17.

Crocus tommasinianus 'Roseus' starting to bloom in February
The daffodils are even starting to bloom.


I'm not sure what this will mean for the summer, and how this unusual warm weather will effect later blooms, bugs, and other things going on in the garden and the environment as a whole (and the pessimist in me can't help but expect a blizzard in April as a payment for this early warmth), but for now I am enjoying being outside in the wonderful weather.

Crocus tommasinianus 'Roseus' in full bloom
Happy early (and record-setting) Spring to you all,
and as always,
Happy Gardening!

36 comments:

  1. As gardeners we learn to live in the moment. The weather can change so rapidly and sometimes with destructive force. Enjoy the warm weather. It's not bad here either.. but like you I do wonder what it all means for the future and the climate as a whole.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been enjoying the warm weather while it lasts, but it is rather alarming that we keep breaking heat records!

      Delete
  2. record high temperatures, are alarming as the effects ripple out.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Isn't it amazing!? Yesterday was a beutiful day to be outsides and we had similar warm weather here in PA. The sad part is that the earliest bloomers are going over so quickly, but hopefully it slows down during tulip season and we get some overtime then!
    Love seeing your early blooms, you have all my favorites plus some :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The temperatures have turned a little cooler now. I'm hoping that will help preserve some of those daffodil blooms! I just love spring bulb season, so I do hope it will last awhile!

      Delete
  4. It's been quite warm down here in Tennessee too -- not record warmth, but still 10-20 degrees above normal.

    Like you, I'm worried about whether this will mean an unusually hot summer.

    Still, as Rusty Duck says in the comments, we should probably all try to live in the moment. For now, everything is beautiful, lush and bursting with life.

    Who knows? Perhaps we'll get an April blizzard or a cool wet summer in the end. Stranger things have happened...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's turning a little cooler now, but it is worrisome that we keep breaking heat records. And it is very worrisome that it seems to be a global phenomenon. I am enjoying the nice winter, though. At least if we get an April blizzard, hopefully it will keep some of the bugs in check!

      Delete
  5. We've had lovely warm temps here in the Midwest too. I wouldn't worry about it -- the flowers will just be spread out over a longer period, instead of all happening at once like they do when it stays cold until it's almost time for summer. There truly is nothing we can do about the weather, so just roll with it... Thanks for sharing your lovely flowers with us! :-) -Beth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Last winter we had record amounts of snow here in the Boston area, so when it all melted all of the spring bulbs bloomed at once. It is nice that the season will be a little longer this year!

      Delete
  6. How lovely to see all your bulbs. The changing climate is worrying, worldwide we will all have to reconsider how we garden and grow.xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is the extreme weather that makes the gardening challenging. I feel for those who live in areas that struggle with drought!

      Delete
  7. You are a bit ahead of us....they are predicting some cold weather in a week or so, so I am waiting to plant the veg garden....going to be soggy here too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We just had some cooler temperatures and some rain move in here. The garden needed some water, though, so it's nice that Mother Nature is taking care of that!

      Delete
  8. We've had crazy warmth here, too, and even hit 85 one day! But the temps have been slowly dropping back to a more normal range. Even the peak bloom for our cherry blossoms has been moved up by two weeks! How cool and exciting to see all those spring bulbs blooming!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Woah! I did wonder how the warm temperatures would effect more established trees. My earliest spring blooming trees are still waiting.

      Delete
  9. Very warm in Georgia too. I'm not sure I'm ready for such warm temps so soon. Still have much clean up to do and would appreciate cooler weather for that. I adore seeing the first flowers of spring. It makes the heart happy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After having lived down South, I know the cooler spring and fall temperatures are especially appreciated!

      Delete
  10. It is also much warmer than usual here in Canada. Snowdrops and winter aconites are also in full bloom. Let us hope it does not mean that the summer will be very hot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. I also hope it doesn't encourage the bugs too much!

      Delete
  11. I love that last crocus, it's lovely!

    It's very warm here too. I just hope that we don't get another freeze now that so many things have gotten started.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We now have some snow in the forecast. Poor flowers!

      Delete
  12. Indie!
    Iris danfordiae is beautiful.
    The first time I see such a specimen.
    Greetings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! They are little, but the yellow is so cheerful!

      Delete
  13. Isn't it wonderful to see these early blooms? 'Katherine Hodgson' is such a beauty--I must remember to order some of these this fall. Spring is coming early here, too, but I agree--I hope we don't pay for it later!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are now predicting snow here in a couple days. Hopefully the winter weather won't last too long!

      Delete
  14. It has also been a much warmer winter than usual in Ontario too, but no 25C yet! Let us hope it does not mean above 40C for July!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true! Definitely hoping this doesn't mean an overly hot summer!

      Delete
  15. I have been wondering the same thing. It has been an unusual winter with all the ups and downs. After the last few winters, many here are happy it was mild.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had another snowstorm which melted off quickly. The spring is quite fickle!

      Delete
  16. I love the marvelous design of Iris reticulata 'Katharine Hodgkin'! We had a mild winter, too, and we have already seen temps up to 80. But tonight we are dipping back into the 30s.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is such a pretty plant. It's new to my garden this year!

      Delete
  17. It’s nice to see you have an early spring this year, we also had the mild winter weather like you, but from mid- February and onwards it has been rather cold over here in Britain. It’s spring, but the air is cold and things are rather late. I still have snowdrops – in March! It kind of feels like payback for the warm December and January weather :-)
    Loved your Roseus crocus, what an unusual colour!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that is late for you guys! It's been unusual everywhere.

      Delete
  18. Happy spring! We've had mild temps, too, but not as warm as you! 77--wow! Now we're facing a snowstorm during the next few days, so I'm worried about all the plants that are blooming or about to bloom. Some will get covered, and others will have to fend for themselves. Argh. I've always loved 'Katharine Hodgkin' but have not planted any as yet. Every time I see it on other blogs, I think "I must plant that!"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had another snowstorm, but my crocuses and daffodils kept on blooming right through the snow! Thankfully it warmed to above freezing fairly quickly. Katharine Hodgkin is a new addition to the garden, and I love it!

      Delete

Thank you for your comment!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...