03-17-2013 A different year!

Watch those pollen pockets on her legs! I have seen them come home with their legs fully covered in pollen.

What a difference a year makes: I thought things were running a little later this year and, sure enough, when I went back to last year's posts, it was warmer then and many blooms were way more advanced than they are now.

Hyacinths

I first noticed last week after talking to Bob that my fruit trees had not budded yet; a true sign that things are not ready. While Greg Fishel may be good at giving us some form of a five day weather forecast, when it comes to long term, plants and trees do a much better job and, this year, the signal is that they're not ready to come out of hibernation yet.

The good thing though is that yesterday was beautiful and this week should be frost free. At this time of the year, the garden looks better without all these artificial covers protecting my winter greens. Down side: some of the same escaroles and lettuce are going to go straight to seed at the first sight of two/three warm days in a row. The need to reproduce is as strong in lettuce as it is in human beings! The fun level might be a little different though!

Checked my "mean" bees yesterday and the approach of Spring has not soften their mood at all; they were eager to have me for lunch! On the positive side, I have seen some of them working my neighbor's peach tree. David will be happy in a few weeks when harvest time comes.

Landing in pure paradise!

On my side, besides some more clean up, I transplanted a number of young leeks. The old ones have almost all been eaten, a true sign of winter's end. 

Last of the leeks.

Next crop.

The onions are showing their first green tops in time for St Pat's

Future roses being raised for Ann and Peter. Nice new growth!

What I call optimism: looking at these fresh new leaves and tasting in my mouth  the raspberries this baby will produce in a few months. Did I mention you also need a lot of patience when gardening? Who wants to wait so long for raspberries? Or anything for the matter!

Art work on one of my hive tops. My girls may be mean but they appreciate a little artistry in life!