The first crocuses are in flower and it feels as if spring is on its way. The sun grows brighter and stronger, the air is quite a few degrees warmer, and the daylight is lasting for longer. Winter, at last, is receding and it feels good to get outside and enjoy the re-emergence of life in the garden.
Winter can be a time when life runs at a bit of a low ebb. Most days are too cold and grey to wish to spend a lot of time outdoors and you really just want to keep warm and dry. (But, if there is a warmish winter day, with perhaps a little bit of sun, then I do try to get some gardening done. It raises my spirits and allows me to escape the incarceration of being stuck indoors.)
Spring is an invitation to go out into the garden and look for the start of new growth. Right now the snowdrops are still in flower, crocuses are showing as little flashes of colour here and there, and the daffodils are promising flowers soon, as their leaves lengthen and their buds fatten.
The long wait of winter is almost over. It’s time to start work in the garden again.
There’s lots to do – new borders to dig, weeds to get rid of, and old dead growth to be cleared away to allow room for the new shoots. The work is invigorating and brings a connection to the earth and the life that is quietly pulsing within it. That connection creates an awareness of the natural world. It gives a feeling of being part of that world, and of well-being and pleasure at being able to contribute to it.
If you’re coming to the end of winter wherever you live, I hope that you’re starting to see the signs of spring. Do enjoy them!
Glad you winter is turning warmer. We have had a mild winter in Florida and even on the west coast. Nice to still have a few flowers around. Love the yellow crocus!
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Thank you Syd, glad you like the little crocus! It is starting to feel quite spring-y here. It’s amazing what a difference a few days can make!
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That is such an amazing image! I love the blue background and the detail on the petals and stem! My favourite crocus image so far!
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Thank you, Ali – made me smile this morning! π
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The bright yellow and blue together are gorgeous.. what’s providing the blue colour?
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Thank you Liz! The blue background is a very large sheet of blue card which I simply put behind the pot that the crocuses were growing in. (Instant ‘blue sky’ effect – useful at this time of year!)
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Clever lady! SO well done, it looks wonderful!
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Thank you! π
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Thanks for posting your cheerful blooms. We’re still waiting for any little sign of spring here in Indiana. Yes, the days are getting a bit longer which is lovely, but Snow on the way again and still too cold to work outdoors comfortably. I still have borders to clear of last year’s old growth so when the bulbs do begin they have a pretty setting. So, thanks for sharing your crocus!
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Thank you for the lovely comment, Carolee! I hope that spring arrives soon for you. We’ve been very lucky here this year and have had very little snow and fairly mild weather. I have lots of clearing to here too…otherwise my spring plants will be lost in the undergrowth!
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Ann, Iβm glad you have signs of spring where you are! No signs here. Not for another 2 months at least, but at least thereβs lots of time to planπ
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Oh, Laurel – two months sounds like a long time! Mind you, I need all the time in the garden that I can get, so that I can make up for the neglect it suffered during the years that Mum and Dad were ill. At the time, they were far more important than the garden, so it’s the garden’s turn now…
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I hear your eager anticipation Ann. We are going into Autumn here in Australia. I live in the sub tropics so the change of seasons is more subtle. Nevertheless, I too, anticipate what it brings.
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The coming of spring can be quite gradual here – a period of ‘is it or isn’t it’ as we switch between periods of warmer or cooler weather. Nothing can be taken for granted – there could easily be snow next month! (I really hope not!)
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Keeps things interesting Ann.
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Certainly does! π
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Love that first crocus picture. Here its snowdrops, a primula, and last year’s autumn rubbish.
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Thanks Jill, glad you like the crocuses! I must admit that we’ve got a bit of autumn rubbish here too, LOL!
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OK, Iβm impressed πππ
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Thank you Ted, hehe! π
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