When March arrives, our green thumbs start to itch. (Okay, let’s be honest, our green thumbs start to itch in January.) But in March, we can really hear the garden calling. Partly because the days are getting longer. Partly because our satiation of homegrown tomatoes has worn off. And partly (usually) because temperatures are flirting with the 50 degree F mark on the thermometer.
Usually.
Usually, the Jonquils start peeping their green sleeves above ground. The Hyacinths, too, called to by Ol’ Sol’ to come bask in his rays. The Forsythia start contemplating the idea of budding.
Usually.
But this year, WHAM!
Winter came back. And not just a late-season snow which would quickly be followed by melting warmth. But real, honest-to-goodness winter, with sub-zero temperatures and freezing rain and ice and all the rest we expect in January and February. Not that we don’t enjoy that stuff…In winter (which it technically still is).
But March means spring to us. The Vernal Equinox is nigh! Rabbits and fecundity and pea-planting! Dusting off and oiling up the garden tools! 
So we’ve postponed walking around the yard looking for green shoots and flower buds and other signs of life. The gardening spade is still hanging untouched while the snow shovel is going above and beyond the call of duty.
But spring is coming. We feel it in our bones and in the tidal pools of our blood and in our taste buds’ cravings for green stuff. 
Despite the cold and snow, we are in the grip of Spring Fever.
And that feels pretty good.
Are you ready for spring? 
NestOfSquirrels 
Oh, yes, I surely am ready for spring! The charm of warm sweaters, wool coats, and mittens has worn itself thin! And even my children are weary of disrupted school and activity schedules! I do find contentment, though, thinking about how snug and protected all the perennials and bulbs have been under the two foot snow pack while the temperatures have hovered in the single digits and teens for so long!
Spring will be welcome indeed! The sun is shining on us here today, and the icicles are dripping furiously. 😉
Being from a different part of the country, I love looking at snow photos and don’t think they are posted enough. Keep them coming!
Thanks! We love the snowy winters, too, but this one seems a little reluctant to leave 😉
Yup, that pretty much sums it up, in beautifully-written prose and chilly photos! We’re ready for spring but, apparently, she isn’t quite ready for us yet . . .
Thanks! Spring sunshine is a tonic for most of what ails us! 😉
You wrote exactly what I was feeling!! Tidal pools in our blood…pure poetry! Thank you very much for a great post and yes…very ready for Spring!
Thanks, Johanna! I hope the sun is shining as joyously on your home today as it seems to be on ours! 🙂
it does…woohoo!
I’m feeling it but my spring looks a lot like yours. 🙂
Indeed, Judy! And I’m wondering where all that snow melt is going to drain! And soon we’ll all be basking in sunny(and perhaps, soggy) gardens! 🙂
The Redbuds will be out before you know it…then Summer. Winter is for respite from the garden.
Agreed! Resting and planning! 🙂
And planning and planning, then changing your mind…
I’m happy to see its not just us 😉
I get to the end and laugh, but am usually pleased with the results
You seem to be taking the delayed spring in your stride! We had snow flurries earlier in the week. It even laid which caused much consternation but it was 14 degrees Celsius (about 57 degrees F according to my converter). Got quite warm turning the compost heap…
It’s always summer in the compost heap 😉 Glad to hear spring is upon you! Cheers, Ben
Wonderful pics! I’m ready for autumn! Enjoy your spring hopefully it will arrive soon 😊
Thanks, Julie! Isn’t it lovely to live in a place where we get to experience distinct seasons. I’m not sure I’d ever be willing to give it up and lose out on the special joys that each season brings. Cheers, Ben
I’m with you 😊
I was ready for spring the day after Christmas. For the first time I actually saw daffodils coming up through the snow today, so yours might be coming up in spite of your recent snowfall. It shouldn’t be long now!
A few were peeping up before our last snowfall, hopefully they’ve survived, snug under their blanket of snow! 😉 Happy spring!
Yes, Benjamin. We’re ready for spring! Although just now I ventured outside and the air was so fresh and clean I took many large gulps before returning indoors.
Spring air is the perfect tonic! Cheers, Ben
If it makes you feel any better, I had to water my garden yesterday – it has been so dry. In gray, rainy Portland, Oregon, that is… So very weird – I don’t think that has EVER happened before, in the 10 years I have lived here. I wish I could say we had a good snowmelt coming, but we have very little snow on the mountain as well, which usually feeds our reservoirs in spring. I sense a looming drought – unless summer is as wonky as this winter has been. Fingers crossed…
Wishing you luck! If only there were some way to distribute all that snow/potential water more equitably 😉 Cheers, Ben
Fun to read and well written! Today was the first of what I’m hoping will be a string of above freezing days. I swear I could smell spring on the air 🙂
-there’s even a rumor that next week (for one of the nights at least) the low will also sit just above freezing. Crazy to think, and yes I’m ready for spring to come!
Thanks! Those first few warm days leading to spring are magic! Cheers, Ben
I sympathise with you, as we have had long winters like that too, with snow at Easter even. This year is looking promising here though, with temperatures forecast to hit 14°C here this week. I am certainly ready for spring, and hope yours comes really soon!
Thanks, Cathy! Cheers to warm spring days and all the fun (and garden work) they bring!
🙂
Ready for Spring? I was *born* ready!!! Er, yes, ready for Spring. Check.
Check and Double-check! 😉
March weather is crazy fickle.
Indeed! I would not be surprised at all to see yet another snowfall before all is said and done 😉
You best believe I am ready for Spring! This time last year the early bulbs were peeping through. This year we still have about 2 feet of snow on the ground! Grrrrr ….. Hopefully with temps in the 40’s this week, that snow will be gone. OH how I hope so! Then I will see GREEN grass! Love, Amy
The sun is shining today, snow is melting and there’s the unmistakable feeling of renewal in the air. Huzzah for spring! Cheers, Ben
Ben, I feel it too! I thought it was just due to the time being put forward, but I feel SO good and invigorated! Snow is melting here, sun is shining too, and soon, soon, my bulbs will be pushing through. OH, for the JOY!!! (((HUGS))) Amy
That snow is crazy! We didn’t get any this year which is totally odd. I can’t wait for you and all my Eastside garden buddies to get thawed out and join the fun!
Rain washing away the last (we hope) of the snow today. 60 degrees by Thursday, they say 😉
Great post! I live in South Carolina…now. I grew up in New England, so I totally feel your angst. Not to make your pain any worse, but I have to tell you – I did just what you described today. I came home from work and walked around my yard and got excited because I found yet another sign of spring – the first leaf bud on one of my hydrangeas! (As it happens, tomorrow’s post on my blog is actually about the signs of spring I found this past weekend.) We actually had a winter here in SC this year (not a Yankee winter, but real enough for Southerners), and everything is a month behind schedule. I guess that’s not such a bad thing, considering my grow room isn’t boasting the seedlings it should be by now. I’m having to restart my peppers and some of my tomatoes. Ah…the gardening life.
A lovely post but I don’ t know how you can go on believing in Spring when you have so much snow. I hope you will be enjoying it soon.
Thanks, Chloris! Believe it or not, a couple of warmer days followed by a day of rain and most of the snow (except for the huge banked piles) has melted away. Spring is within our grasp (I hope.) Cheers, Ben
I am so ready for spring my pulse quickens just saying the word but the reality is I’ve still got quite a ways to go. 🙂 Your first photo is just beautiful. All it needs is a frame. 🙂
Hang in there, Judy! A sunny Sunday coaxed me and my daughter into the yard to push some sugar snap peas into the soil. We’ve got more freezing temps and perhaps a snow/rain mix this evening, but just getting a few seeds in the ground (whether they germinate or not) made us feel better 😉 Cheers, Ben