Male Spring Peeper calling (Hyla crucifer), North America.
No, I’m not talking about songs of the robins; I’m talking about the spring peepers! The noisy trills of these little tree frogs always reassure me that spring is well on its way.
I’ve seen other key signs, too. Some, like the blooming of our daffodils in the front bed, took me by surprise. Maybe I wasn’t very observant but all of a sudden last Friday; there they were in full bloom! I thought, “Now when did that happen?” It’s spring – almost.
Early spring daffodils blooming in my garden.
Yesterday as I was driving home from work, I detected another sure sign that spring is “in the air”. Wafting through my open windows was the distinctive “aroma” of the farm manure that had been spread on the fields near the house. This lovely fragrance will fill the air for days to come as more farmers begin to ready their fields for spring planting. Ahhh – spring!
I’ve also noticed that the buds are beginning to swell on many of the spring blooming trees and shrubs and also on my fruit trees. Even some of the maples are beginning to don their spring coats of red as their flowers begin to open.
The honey bees were happily collecting nectar from the Mahonia flowers.
As I walked through the Viette gardens this afternoon, the air was full of the raucous calls of red-winged blackbirds and even the buzzing of bees as they visited the early flowers of Mahonia (Oregon Grape Holly) and Pieris. The peonies are beginning to pop up as are all the spring bulbs. Judging by what I see around here, I’m certain areas further east and south of us are really beginning to look like spring.
But don’t be fooled! Cold weather is by no means over. These warm, sunny days will become more frequent in the coming weeks and can trick us into thinking that it’s safe to set out tender annuals, beautiful hanging baskets, and even our tomato plants. Don’t do it – it’s way too early! Here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the potential for frost lasts until mid-May and even later in the areas closer to the mountains.
Now, before new growth starts, is the best time to cut back certain evergreen plants like Liriope, Epimedium, and Helleborus.
We all get antsy and eager to get out in the garden on these beautiful sun-warmed days, though, and there are plenty of things that you CAN and should do in early spring.
Here are some ideas.
It’s going to be a great weekend to be in the garden so go outside, enjoy this beautiful weather, and get your gardens ready for the coming season.
Until next time –
Happy Gardening!
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