Spring Renews

This was written a few years back but is still relevant.

There is a change in the air, the wind, although still strong is warmer, only slightly, but the difference is everything.

Spring is near, though the snow still lays heavy on the ground, little rivers of water slowly trickle from under the banks that have been here since late November.

Soon, another four weeks or so, the greening will begin and the first signs of Spring will appear. The crocuses and hyacinths are usually the first to appear, but I look forward to the dandelions which shout hello fro everywhere. The sighting of the first dandelion is heartening.

There will be cold days and nights and the remainder of winter will occasionally ride the wind, but the change has come.

One of the first signs of Spring’s arrival is the call of the white-throated sparrow, known by some Canadians as the Oh Canada bird as they hear the words Oh Canada, Canada, Canada in its call.

As a Canadian, I like that but what truly pleases me is knowing that the songbirds will soon return from their winter homes and spend awhile in my tree.

Their morning song will wake us but there are few better ways to begin a day. There are those who say that it is the birds’ morning song that wakes the sleeping flowers and calls them forth. I do not know the truth of this but it feels good to think of the relationship that way.

Each spring and fall, I watch the comings and going of plant and animal. Over an extended period of time if you observe Nature’s activities and the time of year they take place and what else is going on at that time you come to understand the ecosystem you inhabit and develop an awareness of the changes that may be taking place. This study is known as phenology.

Phenology  is the study of the timing of natural events. Common examples include the date that migrating birds return, the first flower dates for plants, and the date on which a lake freezes in the autumn or opens in the spring.

Phenological records help alert us about the events of nature and provide interesting comparisons between years and among different geographic regions. If recorded carefully and consistently, these records also have scientific value for understanding the interactions between organisms and their environment and for assessing the impacts of climate change.

Spring is indeed a time of renewal, a time of hope and a time to put into action all the plans that were made over the winter months when the outside was not ready. Now do not get me wrong, I enjoy winter and embrace the cold and snow but like all things, this too must pass and the arrival of Spring’s harbingers is a sign that the passing has occurred. Winter will return but not now, that is a future reality, for now, Nature is awakening and it is time to enjoy, observe and spend time with her.

Unfortunately, this year Spring will need to be enjoyed from my front deck and my garden. I am staying home due to Covid-19 and ask you to do the same.  Drop by this blog for videos t help you stay home and save live.

First Short Road Trip

Tuesday we drove around the back roads of Renfrew County and along the Madawaska

Planting Bulbs in Brief

Remember right plant right place will help you grow beautiful flowers. Most spring-flowering bulbs will need a highly organic, well-drained, slightly acidic (pH 6-7) soil in a sunny location(6 to 8 hours of sunlight.)

When it comes to planting bulbs there is a second rule in addition to the right plant, right place rule and that is to plant bulbs root side down. If you do not you will be wondering where the bulbs are.

You plant spring bulbs two to three times as deep as the bulbs are tall. For example, two of the most popular plants tulips and daffodils will be planted approximately eight inches deep. Smaller bulbs, such as crocus and snowdrops (Galanthus) will be planted three to four inches deep.

You measure the planting depth from the bottom of the bulb; this applies to spring bulbs.

To plant you will dig and loosen the entire bed (where the bulbs will go) to the proper depth.

Next, you plant the bulbs into the soil in the bed and press them down and cover with soil. Do not press too hard you do not want to compact the soil.

This process is a faster means of getting your bulbs planted than using a bulb planter to do them one by one. Although, the one at a time method can be useful if you are only adding a few bulbs to an already existing bed or another spot where you need a bit of early colour.

Once the bulbs are planted, water them. This will provide the moisture that the bulbs need to start the rooting process and will assist the soil to settle.

If you are planting bulbs in the fall, they will need to root before the weather gets too cold. It is vital that you do not overwater in the fall as the bulbs may rot and once again you will be wondering where the bulbs come up in spring.

When you first see the flower buds appear it is time to water as long as the soil is dry.

You must water, when it is time, deeply. The bulbs can be planted six to eight inches below the ground and you want the water to reach them.

A soaker hose is an efficient way to make sure that your bulbs get the water they need so that they can produce the brilliant colours that you are eager to see at winter’s end and as spring blossoms.