Spring Is Coming, but It’s not Here Yet

If you are a gardener like me, you have been enjoying the warm winter we have been having here in middle Georgia. And enjoying the warm winter as a gardener means being out in the garden, working. Just the other day, after work, I was out in the warm mid day sun, pruning roses, grape vines, and butterfly bushes.

Before that, I was cleaning out a chicken coop, and spreading some much needed pre-emergent on my yard. I even picked the first asparagus sprig for my wife. My five year old daughter was doing her own garden work, as she picked lots of daffodil flowers for her mother, as well as raking up pine needles into a pile, so she could jump in later on.

All around us, there are signs of an early spring. Most of my daffodils have bloomed already. The forsythia has put on a great display this past month. The redbud tree has lit up shady areas with its outstanding shade of purple and pink flowers. And strangely enough, there is more than one asparagus sprig poking its way out of the ground at my house.

But don’t be fooled; spring is not here yet. If you check the calendar, it is still only early March. There is a lot more college basketball yet to be played (Go Michigan State!), and Easter has not arrived yet.

I have had many questions put to me about what kind of tomatoes and other summer veggies to plant. It is way too early to think about that just yet. Slow down! Enjoy the winter rest! We still might get snow (at least, I hope we do!)

When I turned on the radio Monday morning, listening for my daily weather update, I heard the local meteorologist state that we might be in for a cold snap, soon. After all, the groundhog did say that there would be more weeks of winter ahead.

With this warm weather we have been having, there is much blooming early. A cold snap, though, could bring some damage to these plants. Even my asparagus is in danger from colder weather. What is a gardener to do when the nights get cold, or worse? It might be time to cover up those plants.

You can protect plants from freezing temperatures by doing a few things. First, a layer of mulch helps. Second, place a cover over those plants you wish to protect. By driving some stakes in the ground, placing a blanket or two over the stakes and covering the plants, you can keep much of the damage at bay. When the sun comes out the next morning, and temperatures warm up, simply uncover the plants.

Don’t be fooled; spring is coming. Yet, it isn’t here just yet. When days are warm, get outside and work away. When it’s cold out in the garden, sit back and appreciate the time to rest. Enjoy.