MY GARDEN CHRONICLE FROM WINTER TO SPRING 2018
Spring sprung late this year. The winter was long, harsh and we were inundated by so much snow it reached my mid-thigh reminding me of the cold and snowy winters during the late 60’s. I guess it is true, the weather is cyclical and we were certainly deep in the cold and wet cycle. Channel pathways had to be dug so the feral cats wouldn’t have to dig their own tunnels through the snow drifts.
The garden usually shows signs of awakening early in March, however, as late as spring was, once the sun warmed the earth nature took the fast track to catch up. Since the beginning of April, there have been amazing spurts of growth and splashes of colour appearing daily.
Throughout the year, I celebrate the progression of the garden with little festivals. In the spring it is Nanking Cherry and Lilac Blossom Festivals and in the fall it is Apple and Pumpkin Harvest Festivals. Most years the blossom festivals begin in March with the Scillia and Crocus blossoms and finish early in May with the Apple blossoms, but this year the spring festivals happened all in the same week. Or so it seemed.
The Scillia, Crocus, Tulip, Nanking Cherry, Lilac, Apple Crab, Crab Apple, Pear and the Cherry trees broke out into delicate blossoms all at the same time. It was a stupendous show of petals and a fragrant feast of fruity scents wafting on the breezes, a pageant showing off nature’s gifts of growth and fertility.
Planting began early May and the garden was starting to show signs shortly after the May long weekend. The Anemones are now in bloom; their pure white faces following the sun as it travels the sky daily. Little Cherries and Apples are visible on the trees boding an abundant harvest.
From today until I put the garden to bed I look forward to Peonies, Pumpkin, Potatoes, Herbs, Carrots, Beans, Apples, Pears, Roses, Poppies, Honeysuckle, Dill and Sunflowers.
As the garden treasures blossom from buds to flowers to fruit to harvest I will continue to be amazed at the magic of how the garden springs to life, grows and develops throughout the year from winter sleep to the cornucopia of the fall.
Stay tuned the garden chronicles will continue.
Cheryle June 11, 2018
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