Thursday, January 26, 2012

FAKE SPRING? REAL SPRING? MY GARDEN AND I DISAGREE

Some of my garden thinks it is Spring, but I know otherwise. After doing this for 45+ seasons here along the Texas Gulf Coast, I can trust February weather about as far as I can throw a wheelbarrow in a snowstorm.
Still, we do have early Springs on occasion. Only time will tell.
The native Carolina Laurel Cherry thinks it's Spring...

The native Cedar Elm thinks it's Spring....

The lace (asparagus) fern thinks it's Spring.

This little Tradescantia thinks it's Spring...

The elephant ears (both Alocasia and Calocasia) always thinks it's Spring...don't freeze in February!

This bothers me...the banana tree (Orinoco variety) is coming out with new leaves. Yipes!

....and the white orchid tree as well.

My chickens think it is Spring...but does that make them Spring chickens? LOL

I'll post some Houston area LAST DATES for KILLING FROSTS next time and you'll see the craziness for yourself. There's NO pattern at all.
Thanks for stopping by. David/ :0)



16 comments:

  1. Spring chickens! Love it :-) Yes, it is a crazy mixed up winter out there, isn't it? There are days that I am lulled into thinking it is spring already, but then I remember that blizzard in the first week of March many years ago or that foot of snow in February just two years ago, and reality sets reigns me back in. We shall see, won't we :-)

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  2. We're having the same problem here.. but we always seem to have the coldest weather in February, so I don't trust this early spring at all!

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  3. My garden thinks it's spring too. I should be pruning the roses soon, but one of them is still in bloom. I'm wondering whether to walk around the garden with a calendar, but I don't think the plants would understand. I do agree with you though, we've still got February to contend with.

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  4. Better enjoy now just in case : ) Bet your hens feel like spring chickens in the warm weather. I like your painted bricks. Gave me an idea.

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  5. Beautiful pictures!! and I am worried with you, my musas are pushing new leaves as well :o
    Let's just hope no Arctic freeze will happen this season.

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  6. Seems like this happens every year, except maybe last year when we had those hard, hard freezes. One of my lantanas didn't come out until July after that trauma.

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  7. I have found this winter odd. Like you, I'm still bracing for what February may bring. My spring bulbs are not up yet. Maybe they know something I don't!

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  8. Oh David, I totally know what you are talking about. Many of my plants look like they think it’s spring also. I’m so tempted to start my spring pruning. However, I must agree with you about our crazy last freeze dates! I have a daughter with a late March birthday and twice in my garden we have had a freeze right near her birthday. Only time will tell if we will have that early spring or NOT.

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  9. You have to tell your chickens that Spring is not yet here. Those brown leaves make it look a little Fall like. I am with you on February. Here, I am banking on a wintery March. What a winter so far, I can see throwing the wheelbarrow right about now.

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  10. It's interesting how we gardeners become so in-tune with nature and its cycles. When the cycle deviates, we get nervous and suspicious even though the plants seem to have no such concerns. They just go with the flow - maybe there's something for us to learn there... I love your funny expressions, such as: "about as far as I can throw a wheelbarrow in a snowstorm!"

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    1. Thanks! It's not poetry, but it is kinda fun to make up sayings. I picture the wheelbarrow as bright red! I also picture the snow really blowing hard and I'm probably yelling but can't be heard over the wind. That's how much I trust February weather. If it snows this February the tropical gardeners here will all have a good cry....and we'll all take turns throwing my red whellbarrow.
      David/:0)

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  11. My garden thinks it is spring, too. Some of my daffodils are beginning to bud which usually does not happen until March or April...strange weather we are having. I enjoy your humorous garden words so much that I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Thanks for having a blog that is a joy to read.

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    1. Thanks so much for the nomination! You're too kind! :0) David

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  12. We are having the same weather here. All my hellebores and snowdrops are blooming a month early. Now I don't want winter to come.

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  13. My plants are a little confused too. I have some red yuccas that are sending up flower stalks, my rock penstemons are starting to bloom, and my mealycup sage have yet to freeze to the ground. This winter is very different from last winter.

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  14. What a switch from last year huh? My plants are enjoying the milder weather....and so am I:)

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I always appreciate your comments & questions! Happy Gardening from David/ Tropical Texana

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