But late this afternoon, this lone camellia flower was blooming in view of the kitchen window. Only last weekend, these branches were bent down by the weight of the wet, heavy late window snow.
Showing posts with label a warm winter day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a warm winter day. Show all posts
Saturday, March 7, 2009
A late winter camellia flower
An unusually warm sunny day and seedlings popping up (snow pea, spinach, lettuce, and mustard) have me thinking spring is just about here. I saw the first (native) spring wildflowers on Friday: a single trout lily, a small bloodroot flower (where hundreds will be later), and several Oconee Bells (a locally rare species that's a regional treasure).
But late this afternoon, this lone camellia flower was blooming in view of the kitchen window. Only last weekend, these branches were bent down by the weight of the wet, heavy late window snow.
But late this afternoon, this lone camellia flower was blooming in view of the kitchen window. Only last weekend, these branches were bent down by the weight of the wet, heavy late window snow.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
From winter to spring
Just in an afternoon, we've gone from winter to practically spring. Certainly, the early March snow persists in shady patches, but it was in the mid-50's (°F) this afternoon, so it shouldn't last much longer. And the prediction is for temperatures in the mid-70's for Saturday and Sunday.
It's hard to know what plants will make of this. It will depend on their genetic heritage, for sure, whether sudden (exceptional) warmth will encourage bud expansion or not. Most of our native plants are still dormant, an adaptive strategy that's probably serving them well in a changeable climate.
It's hard to know what plants will make of this. It will depend on their genetic heritage, for sure, whether sudden (exceptional) warmth will encourage bud expansion or not. Most of our native plants are still dormant, an adaptive strategy that's probably serving them well in a changeable climate.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Time to plant the first peas
It was a perfect late winter day here, temperatures in the upper 60's (°F), sunny and warm. It felt more like spring. The winter honeysuckle was covered in honey bees foraging for nectar.
After a weekend away largely spent on indoor house activities (yuck), it was nice to return home and spend an hour or so turning over the remaining beds, sowing a first series of snap peas (Sugar Sprint) and garden peas (Wando and Maestro), a round of arugula, and a flat of mixed lettuce, to go in the cold frame when the weather turns cold again.
I replanted some favas (broad beans), too, mainly as an experiment, since I think there may not be time for a crop to mature before it gets too hot. My fall planting of favas had a few blackened survivors still with healthy-looking roots, but it was really way too cold this winter for most normally winter hardy greens. Even collards show signs of frost damage.
This week looks like it will be mild; I'm going to continue to put in onion sets and sow more early greens.
After a weekend away largely spent on indoor house activities (yuck), it was nice to return home and spend an hour or so turning over the remaining beds, sowing a first series of snap peas (Sugar Sprint) and garden peas (Wando and Maestro), a round of arugula, and a flat of mixed lettuce, to go in the cold frame when the weather turns cold again.
I replanted some favas (broad beans), too, mainly as an experiment, since I think there may not be time for a crop to mature before it gets too hot. My fall planting of favas had a few blackened survivors still with healthy-looking roots, but it was really way too cold this winter for most normally winter hardy greens. Even collards show signs of frost damage.
This week looks like it will be mild; I'm going to continue to put in onion sets and sow more early greens.
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