Early Garden Happenings

​The good news:  My first blooms of the season, crocus!  The bad news:  I have lost my garlic!  The good news:  The garlic has been found and rhubarb is poking through. (Note to self:  label the garlic rows in the fall.)  Spring has started in spite of the remaining snow piles and ice still on the lake. 

​The garden season starts slowly in the north. Common wisdom is that for every 100 miles north spring arrives a week later.   If you want to be more scientific a great source is the USA National Phenology Network.   They define the start of spring when the first leaves appear on a cloned lilac (S. x chinensis 'Red Rothomagensis') and two honeysuckle cultivars ((Lonicera tatarica 'Arnold Red' and L. korolkowii 'Zabelii').  I would guess most gardeners have their own definition. 
 
One of the nice things about crocus, garlic, and rhubarb is that I have done nothing this year to be rewarded with their appearance.  The crocuses were planted about a decade ago and continue to multiple for me.  Garlic was planted quickly last fall and covered with mulched leaves.  Rhubarb is a perennial and very low maintenance.  In fact, I have done nothing to help it grow for many years.  
 
My daffodils are growing each day and are showing buds swelling.  Their yellow flowers will be my first bouquets of the season to grace the kitchen counter.  I’ve been eyeing the forsythia but not much showing yet. 
 
I have a few spring chores that need to be done soon:  pruning out last year’s raspberry canes, trimming the hydrangea, and reseeding some grassy areas.  The garden centers are open this weekend so I can enjoy the rich smells of new plants and consider the endless options for this growing season.  It holds much promise with no weeds or pests to dampen my enthusiasm this early in the season.