The other day I had a bout of spring fever and went out into my patch of garden looking for some early green. I thought I might find some early daffodils foolishly poking up through the February snow. It took some scraping through the mulch but I did find the first green shoots. I covered them back up when the wind blew a snow squall through. We’ll leave them to sleep a little longer. Knowing they’re there is enough right now.
In the meantime, the plants I overwinter in an unheated entryway are beginning to show signs that winter won’t last forever. The Japanese maple has broken its winter dormancy, putting out long sprigs of pale green leaves, a month early. I usually expect this graceful guy to leaf out in March, just before it’s time to move on outside.
On the other hand, the azalea which normally blooms in late January has a single flower bud ready to open, a month behind schedule. Could be that its’ winter home next to the window was colder than normal, slowing flower production to a crawl. Or I pruned it too late. No matter, it looks like March will be azalea month here.
The big drawback to winter isn’t the snow or cold, it’s the absence of light. The shorter days, the weaker sun make for a listless grumpy attitude around here unless an effort is made. Getting up in the dark and cooking dinner as dark falls again leaves me cranky.
Meanwhile, I check the azalea and the little potted maple every morning to see how they’re progressing. They promise spring and sunlight.
Efforts are being made.
See! Spring is coming!
Should I send you a box of crickets to make you feel all springy and shit?
xo
OK, girl. Where do you live that your Japanese Maple is not a perennial bush/tree? I live in St. Louis/Middle Earth. Damn, it must be cold where you live. I don’t have good news if you are in the line of our weather. We are doomed to two more weeks of bitter cold. dammit. Ignore my bitterness and just mosey along.
Little by little, right?
I could use a cup of spring right about now. Ours is still months away.
I feel ya. Maybe I’ll go get me some supermarket daffodils.
[...] been able to get a decent shot of Finished Object (FO) #2. (Note the Japanese maple has made real progress since I last photographed it. It even has tiny little [...]