Here in Vermont we typically feel lucky to have the snow melted by April. But to experience 80 degree weather in March is bewildering. Everything alive has been in overdrive after 5 days of 70-80 degrees. Snow and ice have melted completely, and everything is budded and blooming.
I am trying to keep flowers that want cool temps from bolting, wilting, or dying.
Thankfully a local nursery lent me their shade cover for my cold frame, home to the tulips, ranunculus, daffodils, and grape hyacinth. I’ve been running around hosing cloths placed over the flowers, running fans, using cold packs and ice. Just a few weeks ago I was nursing these young plants with warmth, and now it’s completely flipped and all my efforts are determined to keep these flowers cool.
Our garden pond has completely melted and it’s nice to see the return of the goldfish. We have lots of baby fish if you would like some.
Not every plant requires extra care when it gets warm. The hardier lilacs and pussy willows are loving this strange weather. You can almost hear them singing in the sun when you walk by them.
I like to try to trust Mother Nature, but she’s awfully moody this March. We expect weather in the 20s and possible snow this Saturday. It’s always difficult to balance growing in Vermont spring: warm weather starts growth and then extreme cold fronts stop it again, and at worst harm the new growth.
BTW: I’m as shocked as you are, but just wanted to be sure you got it all these flower images were taken this week with flowers from our farm! March last year was nothing but gray, brown, and snow!
See us at next week’s Burlington Farmer’s Market(3/31/12) for some unseasonably beautiful fresh flowers.
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