Mar 08 2007
Coming out of hibernation…
I know, I know. I really shouldn’t complain living here in California, but for us, it’s been a long, cold winter (ok, you can stop laughing now…)! Unusual for this area - we usually have a few nights that dip down into frost territory, but this year we experienced well over two weeks of freezing conditions. In the 20s, which is very rare. I did lose a few precious plants even though I ran around every night mulching and covering and trying to protect things… My new avocado tree didn’t make it. Some jade plants I’ve had since forever lost most of their leaves, and some newly trimmed vines appear to be kaput…. but, some of my fruit trees are going to be very fruitful this spring and summer. I’m anxious to see just how fruitful since I planted some new trees in the orchard last fall - two grafted cherries, two pear, a fig, and some citrus, which did surprisingly well!
I don’t think I would like living in the real cold. Nope. Not me. My birds didn’t like it either. I felt sorry for them, so each morning I peeled the 3-inch layer of ice out of the bird baths and replaced them with water for the day.
I think the quince was happy to have the cold weather. The blooms have lasted amazingly long and the color is as vivid as I’ve ever seen.
But, two weeks (hee!) is enough. And so I welcome the universal first sign…
The weather has warmed considerably! The roses have new growth, the clematis are starting to climb already, and blossoms are beginning to burst open in the plum trees.
The vegetable garden has lept to attention and tripled in size just this week alone. Much to my surprise, most of the lettuce and chard survived the freeze. I did cover everything with plastic every night, so I guess I shouldn’t be shocked, but I am! The snap peas are climbing the trellis’ and the brocolli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts are about a foot tall already. There are even iris’ blooming in the warmest corners of the yard.
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead Saturday night.
Technorati tags: gardening, spring, flowers, daylight savings, photography
