Sunday, March 18, 2012

Spring has Sprung? Possibly...

Even though it was snowing and the plow was clearing our driveway just a couple days ago, today it felt truly like spring.  I shred several layers of clothing and made my way out into a sun kissed yard to enjoy the receding snow and see if I could spot signs of the season to come.

Behind the house on the south side the snow has all but disappeared.


Making it an ideal spot for crows to dig for their next meal


As lovely as it looks though it's far from ideal.  Muck boots were absolutely necessary for today's walk as it's now officially mud season, as seen in our driveway.


Pussycats that dislike getting their toes wet were having difficulty with the conditions.


But managed to find a way to enjoy the fresh air without getting too dirty.


I found plenty of buds on trees and shrubs like this lilac


But nothing is quite ready to burst open just yet.

There aren't any spring bulbs to sigh over 


we'll have to wait for blooms for awhile but I did spy a hint of growth


Up against the warmth of the foundation the bleeding hearts are beginning to push through the earth.  Spring really is coming.



26 comments:

Laurrie said...

I'm looking at your nice granular end of season snow, melting into your mud, and wishing we had some. Down here we have had no snow cover and no rain, so our spring soil is way too dry. Even though the cats don't like wet paws, we NEED some snow or rain!!

Gardeningbren said...

There you go..bleeding hearts to welcome spring. . . which, by the way, is forecast to be MARVELLOUS for us Maritimers. 18 degrees on Wednesday..fingers crossed it happens.

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Glad to see some new growth!! We had some crows in the driveway this evening and the dogs went nuts. (they aren't very bright)

Kevin said...

So that's what snow look like! We had a major snow deficit this year -- and as much as I'm not a fan of the white stuff, one of the most exciting things is to see it melt and to see spring green emerging. Happy spring.

jpotuchek said...

The unseasonably warm weather has made short work of our mud season in my part of Maine. (It was in the 70s today, which set a new temperature record for the date.) Most of the dirt road to my house is completely thawed already, so I won't have to hold my breath like I usually do at the end of spring break hoping that I'll be able to make it out.

I can't believe how fast the snow has been melting, and I've gotten a headstart on some spring clean-up chores that I usually can't begin until late April.

Enjoy the spring weather -- even if not the mud that goes with it. -Jean

Aagaard Farms said...

It really is an amazing year, isn't it? Our worry now is possible summer drought - there just isn't enough snow to melt to fill the pond!

Anonymous said...

Poor cats :)

Buds on trees, new growth pushing through the muddy soil - it's an exciting time of the year.

I'm thinking of shoveling the remaining snow off our patio and setting up the table and chairs. A bit optimistic probably, but it feels so good to be outside right now.

Michelle said...

I hear ya on the messy, mucky parts of the yard. I can't help thinking of that Doris Day song after reading marcelledanielle's comment...

It's a great feelin',
You suddenly find
The clouds are silver lined
When the sun breaks through.
It's a great feelin',
You walk down the street
And see the folks you meet
Smilin' back at you.

The Sage Butterfly said...

Spring is coming in your garden. I have finally accepted that spring is here...and it is beautiful. Wherever I look, there are blooms or something sprouting or budding. I like how your cat found a 'dry' spot upon the tree stump...something my cats would do. Happy spring!

Jane said...

That lilac bud looks familiar! I posted one a few days ago. And I think your bleeding hearts are up higher than mine!! Though I haven't checked in a couple of days. Isn't this just such a magical time? I love hunting for signs of spring...unfortunately a few of them bit me over the weekend!

RURAL said...

Yes your place pretty much looks like what we see here. It's snowing now, let's celebrate spring, maybe someone forgot to invite her.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

CanadianGardenJoy said...

hey there Marguerite girl ! I am so tired from working 3 days in a row in the garden (with my trusty right hand hubby .. I don't know what I would do without him !)
The weather is actually scaring me .. what is that saying don't look a gift horse in the mouth ? .. but this is CRAZY it is so warm and sunny the plants are going NUTS !
I have a question for you .. I really like your garden makers ! where did you get them ? I need good ones like that : )
Joy
PS your buds are trying to burst forth is right ! LOL
Love the kitty pictures of course : )

Marguerite said...

Laurrie, I hadn't realized you were lacking so much snow this year. I always think of our weather patterns being similar. The funny thing is we didn't have much snow until this last month and even then there hasn't been the normal amounts. We've made up for it though with rain. The temperatures have been so high this year that we seemed to get a lot of wet between the white.

Marguerite said...

I was glad to find at least one plant poking through. With the weather they're predicting all of my beds will be free of snow by weeks end!

Marguerite said...

our cat is the same, he thinks he can catch a crow but he has no idea how smart those birds are!

Marguerite said...

at this time of year the snow can't possibly melt fast enough for me. It's one of the things I dread in spring, trying to be patient while waiting for the white stuff to disappear.

Marguerite said...

Jean, I have one flower bed completely dry by the garage and managed to do a little bit of clean up there this evening. Like you, I can't believe that I am gardening here in March. It feels rather surreal.

Marguerite said...

I heard Manitoba was looking at drought this year!! How frustrating as last year it was a flood. There seems to be no middle ground anymore.

Marguerite said...

I'm with you! We cleaned off the deck and dragged the barbeque out of the shed. Unfortunately we realized too late that the propane tank was empty! Our first outdoor meal of the season will have to wait a few days.

Marguerite said...

Michelle, hopefully the muck won't last too long. That song perfectly suits this time of year.

Marguerite said...

That cat is what they would call around here a 'sook'. I couldn't capture it on film but he stopped to shake the snow and wet off his paws every step of the way across the yard.

Marguerite said...

Jane, one of my favourite times of years too. The hunt for what's growing is always a pleasure.

Marguerite said...

Jen, the west coast is having a late start to the year from what I've heard. Sounds like what we got last year, waiting waiting for it to begin. But don't worry, it will come soon enough and you'll get to enjoy your new yard and all its treasures.

Marguerite said...

Joy I envy you - 3 days in the garden in all this sunshine! lovely. but you're right, don't question it. I bought the garden markers last year from Amazon when I had a gift certificate. They were a bit of a splurge but look right smart in the garden and obviously survived the snow with no issues.

Jennifer said...

Hi Marguerite, Glad spring has begun to show up for you on PEI. I think we must be in the twilight zone here in southern Ontario. It was middle-of-June-hot today for gosh sakes! It is nice, but freaky at the same time. I know you are thinking "Cry me a river, Jennifer.", but I am worried. If it is this hot in March, what is it going to be in July!! Are we going to be cooked or what? I also worry that the weather will suddenly correct itself and there will be lots of frost damage. Only time will tell....

Marguerite said...

I've wondered the same thing. If plants start to shoot up there's more of a chance of frost damage in the next 2 months. While it's nice to have an early spring there are definitely a few concerns as well.