For we keepers of the Earth, a sure fire way to help alleviate the winter blahs is to witness little noticed signs that tell us we will indeed experience the annual miracle called spring, once more. Those signs instill profound hope.
I start looking for signs of spring before all the leaves have fallen in autumn. Probably the first to arrive is the buds on maple trees. Sometimes I think they're there before the leaves fall, just obscured by them.
I'm not the only one to look for these early harbingers of a new growing season. The squirrels await their arrival, too. They relish them. With not much to eat except nuts from their store, the maple buds must provide a tasty and nutritious change.
I propagated more plants this past year than any previous year. I have so many rose rootings, I'll have to advertise a give away, this spring. Last year, I gave away all my blackberry bushes and replaced them with two sweeter and larger varieties. And of course, I have already rooted several of these new varieties.
While sorting my rose rootings and setting aside the ones I'll give away, I happened to notice one had a tiny bloom on it. With a lot more bitter cold on the way, it's hardly likely it will open. So be it. Knowing this little plant just can't wait to start it's reproduction cycle causes me to feel optimistic about the arrival of spring.
As most of us are aware, the bulb type flowers are among the first to bloom in the new year. Tulips and crocus and daffodils give us a much needed jolt of color after a few months of 'drab'.
My Paperwhite narcissus seem to be the most impatient of all. I've had trouble getting these little fellas to bloom. As they have sent up strong, healthy shoots in mid January, I'm confident they will bloom and permit me to once again partake of their unique and delicious perfume.
How many more springtimes before our little space ship called Earth turns to dust and is returned to the very stars it came from? Don't be troubled. We each will witness all the springtimes we could possibly hope for. Yes!
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You are absolutely correct in saying that nature can lift our spirits and make us look forward to another plant to spring forth with abundant life.
My Redbud tree is already showing life but a 2 day freeze could knock it back a month so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we will only have cold weather - no hard freeze - how great to live in Florida.
Please - Keep reminding us of how fortunate we are to be able see and observe such marvelous happenings.
Redbuds are among the first to bloom. But still, yours are very early. In my neighborhood the streets are lined with redbud trees. It's a love-hate affair. They are quite beautiful when in full bloom, but they were planted too close to the sidewalks. Their roots are literally heaving the sidewalks out of the ground.
What a shame to have planted these beautiful trees so close to the sidewalk! I only have one but it is a true "specimen" tree and is quite gorgeous when in bloom.
In a different post, I gave a tip for making plant markers using scrap vinyl siding and the industrial version of Sharpie. In the picture of Paperwhites is a goods example.
It is always nice to read (and reread) your timely comments. A good reminder of how small we really are - just a speck of dust - waiting for the changing of the seasons.
My Redbud tree is filling out and will soon be showing the "visitors" how nice it is to be able to enjoy such majesty.
I am now seeing Robins mixed in with my many varieties of birds and will soon be able to watch all the parents feeding and protecting their young ones.
You mentioned plant markers but I have not found your post on these. Can you remind us?
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