Saturday, March 24, 2018

Spring Wake-Up

Winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis).

Springtime is slow to arrive this year, but it is arriving. I've been enjoying some warm, sunny days over the past weeks here in Iowa, and have been starting to cut back and rake out some of my garden beds, as well as start seeds and make garden plans for this year. But the ground remains colder than average this year, and early blooms are opening nearly a month later this year, compared to last. We impatient gardeners are always raring to go in spring, but I suppose this teaches us to be patient and concentrate on doing other things that still need to be done inside.


Caution: Falling Figs!  A huge Mysore Fig (Ficus drupacea), the largest in the United States
at 102 feet tall and 305 inches circumference. Our visit to the Edison & Ford Winter Estate in
Fort Myers, Florida was fascinating.
My husband and I spent four days in southwest Florida in late February, and that was a wonderful escape from winter and a preview of summer -- no wonder Thomas Edison and Henry Ford had winter estates down in that part of the world! We visited the Edison & Ford Winter Estate and the Naples Botanical Garden on our trip to Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Naples, and collected shells on the beaches of Sanibel Island, and it was a lovely trip.

But back to reality.... Actually, I was quite happy to return to Iowa to see our spring unfold, and it was sunny and 65°F when we returned (we really did bring back some of that Florida weather!). 

The little irises were blooming last week. (And something -- I suspect rabbits -- has been munching our tulips... Grrr.)


And one miniature daffodil has bloomed!


But I woke up this morning to this:

Ice, sleet and snow blowing in sideways with 30 mph gusts of wind!

Trees covered in ice.

Everything covered in ice, including the Yellow Garden, in which not a trace of yellow
can be discerned.

I was supposed to work at my store today, but as I live in the country on gravel roads and there's a severe winter travel advisory, my store will be closed today (along with many other businesses in town). It's a Snow Day! (A good day to catch up on reading garden blogs, to see what everyone's up to as spring slowly arrives.)

So I'll continue to stay inside, where it's cozy and warm, and enjoy my indoor garden:

Starting seeds inside. I'm still working on making my new greenhouse habitable for some of
the seedlings as they are potted on.


My Calamondin orange has both fruit and blooms.

My Dipladenia has been flowering during most of the winter -- much better than the Mandevilla I grew that stopped blooming and immediately fell prey to some sort of blight as soon as I brought it inside.

Even when it's not sunny, my sunroom is still a pretty nice place to be. On a sunny day, it's simply glorious. It's definitely
my Happy Place!

I've been making plans this spring for a new garden area, and eliminating several other areas that haven't been as satisfactory. I'll reveal my plans as soon as I have made some progress (which, with any luck, will happen in the next few weeks).

Until then, I hope you are are enjoying warm, sunny springtime days in your own gardens, as plants pop up and flowers open. I look forward to reading about your own spring plans, and I'm so glad you stopped by -- thanks for reading! -Beth

14 comments:

  1. We have snow, too, and we have nary a bloom. I have tulips and daffodils coming up and by the looks of yours, I need to get the rabbit repellant ("deer fence") applied to the tulips soon. I have some daylilies peeking up. But no snow drops, chinodoxa, scilla, trillium or crocus yet. Anxious for springy weather! We have had some nice days and I am grateful for that.
    We used to have relatives in Fort Myers and also on Sanibel Island. Beautiful area! Glad you had a warm weather get away. Those kind of help sustain us for the remainder of winter. :)

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    1. Hi Beth, This snow is really something, isn't it? At least the roads are clear, but I was hoping it would melt off faster. Sigh. I'm sorry you don't have anything blooming yet -- I do only because I *cheated* and planted them in the warmest, south-facing beds I have. But spring has to arrive soon, right? Thanks for reading! -Beth

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  2. It was beautiful here yesterday and now it's back to cold and dreary. Glad you got a break with a trip to Florida. We always love visiting there in the winter. Love your little orange tree and your sunroom! My hubbie just built a little greenhouse (kit) for me and I'm anxious to try some small trees this year. Hurry Spring! :)

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    1. Hi Sonia, I saw your new greenhouse on your blog -- I really like the octagonal shape. Very pretty! Orange trees would probably do well in a greenhouse in your mild Oklahoma winters too. Sorry to hear you're also having cold, dreary weather too. When will spring finally come? Thanks for stopping by! Best, -Beth

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  3. Grrrr! Just this morning noticed the deer have been seriously eating on my tulips! I didn't get to them quickly enough. I think it's deer because my little rhododendron is also stripped of leaves! Grrrr!!!!!

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    1. Oh, that's too bad! I know they're hungry, but I just wish they'd eat something else. :-( Just one of the many challenges of gardening.... Take care, -Beth

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  4. Lovely to see a new post from you Beth. Yet more snow is depressing but your garden room is such a fabulous retreat.

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    1. Thanks, Chloris -- I'm so glad you stopped by! Best, -Beth

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  5. This weather is officially insane. Even for us up here in Minnesota is so bipolar. But I loved your photos--- gives me hope that Spring is coming at some point.

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    1. Angie, I'm so glad you visited my blog, so that I could find yours -- thanks for reading! Best, -Beth

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  6. February is definitely a great time to head down south for a little break! Sounds like a lovely vacation in Florida. Spring and winter seem to have kept fighting all March. I hope the snow is finally melting for you! What lovely blooms you have in your sunroom to give you a little cheer!

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    1. Thanks for reading, Indie -- I hope things are warming up for you in your gardens too. Best, -Beth

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  7. Hi Beth! I just typed a comment and it appears to have disappeared! :-( Unless it's waiting on an approval maybe. Anyway just checking in to say Hi! I'll try to post through google!
    - Kate x

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    1. Hi Kate, This comment seems to have worked -- so glad you stopped by! Hope you're enjoying your garden this spring, and looking forward to reading your posts. Best, -Beth

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