In just 52 days we will celebrate the official first day of spring.  No matter what the calendar says, spring really arrives when plants begin to grow.

In recent years, we were reminded just how confusing and fickle Mother Nature can be.  Two years ago plants started pushing new growth 4 to 6 weeks earlier than normal.  Last year we had cold wet weather that delayed the spring growth and spring planting by 4 to 6 weeks, punctuated by 2 big snowstorms in late April, and again on May 3rd/4th.

The results of this wildly unpredictable weather was quite a bit of damage to a wide variety of landscape plants.  Some were killed outright, but for most, some of their fresh new growth was lost, entire seed crops on Oaks and other tree varieties were lost, and bark damage was common.

This year, I am hoping for a normal spring, and mindful that I may need to adapt.  In 3 or 4 weeks the sun will feel warmer.  In 5 or 6 weeks snowbanks will be receding, only to be restored by late winter storms.  In 7 to 8 weeks, green grass will be in evidence on a few south facing slopes and along  the edge of building foundations.

Until the snowbanks are gone and the ground thawed, enjoy the countdown to spring with long walks on the low wind days, cutting firewood, pruning trees, ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, re-potting house plants, planning this year’s gardens, ordering seeds and feeding the birds.

We look forward to seeing you all at the nursery.  It’ll come before you know it!