Our Weeping Cherry is waking the bees from their winter slumber and tempting us into the garden. A string of warm days sends us, pell-mell, to the the garden store, for (at least) a little window shopping
And although we’re sorely tempted, year after year, to go ahead and start planting, we know that, more than likely, more cold weather’s ahead. We’ve been burned…or, I guess, frozen, by setting out plants too early then either raiding the garage for anything we can put over the tender seedlings to ward off the frost or just watching helplessly while they suffer the cruel fate I’ve subjected them to.
In our part of the the Ohio River Valley, spring is a fickle thing, teasing us with soft warm days, lulling us into a false sense of an early summer. But there always seems to be one last freeze, one last frost, that happens after we’ve put our winter woolies away.
My Grandmother called it Blackberry Winter.
That short cold snap that reminds you the earth hasn’t quite turned far enough toward the sun yet. And so we wait. And plan. And order too much from the seed catalogs.
Mother’s Day is usually safe to set out most anything–The second weekend of May is almost always sure-enough spring at our place. So that’s when we plan to plant.
The weatherman is calling for balmy temperatures this weekend. I wonder if I should just set out a few tomatoes…
Are you as anxious as we are to get out in the garden? When do you start digging?
NestOfSquirrels 
I’ve been tempted by the mild winter and unusually warm March to get an early start. Here in Michigan it’s wise to wait till the middle of May, but the birds are back early, and I wonder are they an indication to go for the green? Happy gardening to you.
I think we might end up rolling the dice and putting out a few things…too tempting not to 😉
You taught me a new expression I’d never heard before. As for the digging – heading outside tomorrow, shovel in hand! 🙂
Happy gardening! May your plot be full of produce and empty of slugs! 🙂
Too much shade for produce in my garden, so most of the edible fare will likely be upcoming fiddleheads. Or, perhaps slugs – wonder if they can be pickled? 😉
LOL. Pickled slugs sounds like something one might find in a Harry Potter book. 😉 Could be a market for it!
When we lived in Sweden, and every gardener was battling the newly imported pest called “Murder slugs” some entrepreneurial chefs were experimenting with this newfound abundance. I remember some recipe involving sundried tomatoes and olive oil, but have forgotten the details. Not sure how the experiment panned out – I never actually tasted them!
I’d hate to run into a “murder slug” in a dark alley 😉
They are called that because they eat each other. Nice, huh?
I’m anxious but we’re still dropping into the low 30’s at night. i guess I’m going to have to develop more patience. 🙂
Love that beautiful blossom! For central Maine, we aren’t really sure about frosts until Memorial Day.
Thanks! What’s your growing season from last frost ’til first?
Usually from May to September. However, cold-weather crops do well before and after the frost dates.
We used to get our first frost in late September, but for the past few years it’s been late October. We’ve had tomatoes from the garden on Thanksgiving for the past couple of years.
Wow!!!! Tomatoes in November.
Well, they’re usually picked a little green and ripen up on the window sill 😉
I enjoyed the Cherry Blossoms, we don’t have them here. We start spring as early as Valentine’s Day on most years. In the Fall we can put out the “summer” flowers you grow up north. They may rest some in the winter, but are now blooming. Our next season is a hot, long, humid summer and all those flowers (and tomatoes) will wilt, fry, succumb to fungus and die. Then the ones that can survive our summer will begin to bloom.
Yikes, that’s a harsh summer! What flourishes for you in the hot and humid months?
Many tropical and semitropical plants. I will invite you to check out my summer posts. When I moved down here, I had to learn to garden all over again. On the bright side, we can have flowers all year.
Remember Nancy Reagan, Just Say No!
LOL. My new mantra: “I must wait ’til May, I mist wait ’til May…” 🙂
My grandfather, the South Georgia peach farmer always waited until after Good Friday to plant, when living in Atlanta I always waited til 99% frost free date (May1) I wonder what he would do this year? Your lovely Cherry picture made me miss my trees!
This is such a great time for planting shrubs and perennials. The sap is rising and they can handle a few cool nights. It feels good to get an early start with the sturdy ones before the annuals. xo
Great idea! And a great way to scratch that gardening itch! 🙂
I’m anxious but it’s still early enough that I spend more time wandering around realizing winter is over than I spend twitching to get things planted and moved. It’s nice to soak in a little warmth and sun before getting back to work!
That cherry is beautiful. And I like that expression Blackberry Winter. Our spring has been cold, although not exceptionally frosty, and planting will have to wait a while here too. Happy Easter Ben!
Oh you made me smile .. good to know I’m not the only one that buys too many seeds. It won’t be long now and you will be digging away to your heart’s content. That blossom sure is pretty
Seed catalogs are a siren song too good to resist 😉
We call it a ‘Blackthorn Winter’ when the Prunus spinosa is in bloom but we can still have nasty frosts. I dig all year round, but here you have to wait until mid May to plant out tender plants.
I like the sound of Blackthorn Winter, too! We’re moving a couple of perennials but are doing our best to hold off for a few more weeks before planting our tenders…but, oh, the temptation! 🙂
It sounds like we are right there with you in terms of seasons. I WANT to plant now – but I know better. May 15th is our official day here in South Jersey – but I can never wait that long. Love, love love! this time of year.
I agree with you, this time of year really gets the blood going! Can’t wait to get some dirt under my fingernails 😉
“And so we wait. And plan. And order too much from the seed catalogs.” Love this. So true, Benjamin! The anticipation is such an important part of Spring.
Thanks, Cynthia! We’re having another Blackberry Winter this weekend…covering up the asparagus bed with fingers crossed 🙂
I love asparagus. Fingers crossed.
🙂