We went for a walk yesterday on a rare, sunny Sunday, usually if it is the weekend it rains. Well, this is known as the wet coast.
The camera accompanied us, and we definitely saw some sights. The first Camellia bloom, beautiful coral pink. Brilliant yellow forsythia, [ it’s time to prune the roses now that they are blooming ]. Tiny, darling little Iris reticulata, so purple against the dark wet soil. And even the regal golden daffodils were nodding in the sun, readying themselves to open up.
All this early blooming makes me wonder if I should get out there and plant my sugar snap peas. The sweet pea seeds that were left behind in the planters have sprouted about a week ago, and they love the cool weather also. Pushing their way up through the extra soil I have put overtop of them, and determinedly showing green.
I have the distinct feeling that this is not a false spring, since we had only a small smidgen of snow in December, and nothing since. Last winter we were hoping that the enormous snowfall signified a early spring, but it was a exceedingly late one. Several false starts fooling us gardeners into believing that winter had finished it’s devastation and moved on.
Hard to know, and what do you think, we are practically breaking temperature records. Should I plant those peas? Or should I wait, and not take the chance?
I would say why not plant some of them Jen... Lovely post ... all the early spring flowers I will see here in only a couple of months now!! I love how you put this "determinedly showing green" and your photos are gorgeous as usual! Happy Pea Planting should you choose to do so!! ;>)
ReplyDeleteI am a gambler. so I say 'go for it!' That being said, I planted my peas early last year, and they did not sprout...
ReplyDeleteWow to have a taste of spring in February -- I can't imagine. Those photos are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Jen, the Camellia blossom is gorgeous. With our almost constant 50-55 degrees over the past several weeks, blossoms are beginning everywhere and I fear that we are going to get hit. It looks like spring, feels and smells like... but seems somewhat eery. I did take the plunge and sow radish, carrots, spinach, onions... outdoors. Have a great week. Diana
ReplyDeleteI know you aren't asking me a question like this...I am so confused this year it isn't funny!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos...again. Why am I surprised at the beauty when each time I visit, I know you will out do your self again.
ReplyDeleteI cannot answer the pea question, give it a shot, it's just a few seeds.
Thank you for giving me hope for a early spring.
I'm with you. I think this early spring is for real, and it's time to get some seeds in the ground.
ReplyDeleteI saw cherry blossoms on some of the trees in my neighbourhood this weekend. I think it's definitely an early spring.
ReplyDeleteWe in the south would have been planting Pea's but It is snowing today and 25 with a low 11 tonight.
ReplyDeletePatsy
So you have our warm weather and we have your snow, Jen! We normally plant the snap peas on Valentine's Day here, and prune the roses then, but not with the snow, frozen solid ground and frigid temps this year. Last year we planted the peas then and they did not germinate. By the time I figured they were not going to show, it was really later than it should have been and got warm too fast. I would wait a week or so, that's what we are doing here, forced by Mother Nature! Oh how cheering those forsythia and snowdrops are! :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Hi Jen~~ If seeds are germinating in-ground, the soil is conducive so I say go for it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Last year with its annoying weather teasers makes this year all the sweeter. I think things will be wet, but mild. Fine by me. However, I think the Olympic planning committe should consider the El Nino weather influence when scouting for venues. :)
Those snowdrops are just dazzling. Happy spring. My fingers are crossed.
Jen, I literally had to re-read the first half of your post because I honestly thought you were writing an 'as if' post...as if you were seeing spring flowers. I actually thought your photos might have been from last spring, until...I read the rest. It is so amazing that your weather is producing these when down here in VA it is SNOWING at this VERY SECOND while I write this!!! What's up with all this backwards weather? Let's switch place...;~}
ReplyDeleteRoses blooming?!!!?
I am thinking about planting some veggies even though I am pretty sure more cold weather is coming. But seeds are cheap and when you gotta garden, you gotta garden:)
ReplyDeleteThat may be the most perfect Camellia I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteJen, I love the Forsythia. I think they might be one that is hardy up here. I will have to look. Peas like cool weather. I say go for it!
ReplyDeleteJen...pre-sprout them then they will have a much lessened chance of rotting if we get a lot of rain. I say go for it...I'm putting mine in Wednesday if the weather holds!
ReplyDeleteBTW, come by my blog tomorrow I have a surprise for you! Kim
That forsythia photo is breathtaking, Jen. I planted peas almost two weeks ago, according to the local ag university's calendar for this region -- but it was a false, false spring. As I told my sister, tho, who cares? It's just a few pea seeds lost. If you have enough seed for several sowings, I say go for it. If not, maybe wait for proof of the season's stability. (Although can one ever know for sure in time to plant peas??)
ReplyDeleteNow *that* looks like spring! We had some wildly overgrown forsythia at our last house; there was really not much hope for re-shaping it but I loved its cheerful early blooms so much I just couldn't take it out. (We need to these bright shots of colour this time of year!)
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, Jen!
I saw our neighbor's forsythia blooming today. I think it's probably fine to start peas, I got my trellis' ready today for Sweet Peas. 50's and sunny here today.
ReplyDeleteYou're teasing me again with your tales of flowers and sun and spring... ;-)
ReplyDeleteHedge your bets Jen - plant some seeds now and some later! That way you'll either have lots if they all take, or some anyway!
ReplyDeleteOur flowering cherry is just showing hints of blossom, so there is hope for spring's arrival in the UK after all!
I planted some snowdrops last fall and hope they grow up to look like that gorgeous clump you pictured. I can't help you with the peas, it's definitely too early to plant them around here.
ReplyDeletePlant half of them!! That photo of the Forsythia is stunning..I so want my Forsythia to bloom just once!! Sounds like spring is spring around there..lucky you!! :) I am jealous:)
ReplyDeleteSee now, that's just downright unfair. I walked beneath snow laden trees today out here in the east. Granted it was very pretty, but colourful? Not much.
ReplyDeleteHow marvelous snowdrops, and they are so plenty. I've seen them just once yet in real life.
ReplyDeleteMuy bellas fotos de flores.
ReplyDeleteMe cautivó la camelia.
Un abrazo.