By Jill Williams
“Spring drew on….and a greenness grew over those brown beds, which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that hope traversed them at night and left each morning brighter traces of her steps.”– Charlotte Brontë
After the retreat of the snow close to the house, the brown beds didn’t stay brown for very long. Species crocus popped up as soon as the snow was gone. They’re colourful and cheerful and they’re a welcome sight after a winter that started last November.
This year spring seemed a bit reluctant and we had more than one false start. But seeing the first of the spring bulbs is a reminder that another winter is finally behind us. I’m already forgetting that I had to ski to the composters by the garden and snowshoe to dump the ashes from the stove.
I’m looking forward to the whole parade of spring bulbs including species tulips, iris reticulata, hybrid tulips and, of course, daffodils.
I’m also looking forward to the beautiful blue scillas that have spread through the lawn. Unfortunately I have seen some bad press for these recently. I have not found them to be invasive and unlike truly invasive plants they haven’t spread beyond the lawn. They definitely don’t deserve to bein the same category as something like burning bush. This I am continually pulling out as it has spread into the surrounding forest.
Has anyone else noticed fewer cluster flies and ladybugs this spring? The ladybugs didn’t swarm here last fall for the first time in a couple of decades. It was a nice change to not have a house full of them in the winter.
After that long and cold winter it’s good to finally have some warm days to spend time outside. I always enjoy this time when it’s too early to do any digging or weeding; it’s enough to just clear the leaves around the naturalized snowdrops. I’m starting to hear different birds when I go for a walk.
It’s finally warm enough to sit on the porch and watch the birds at the feeder. Fortunately there hasn’t been a return visit from either the hawk or the fisher who were here in the winter. It’s obvious that the raccoons have woken up. If I don’t remember to bring the suet in every night it disappears.
A friend reminded me recently that the melting snow brings not only all the spring bulbs but also all the jobs not finished last fall. I don’t mind this really. It’s somehow reassuring to pick those up where I left off.
Happy spring.