Forcing Spring - March 12, 2012

The temperature on our deck, in the sun, is reading 23 degrees Celsius (that would be about 73 degrees Fahrenheit, for all you Americans), so I just had to think of something to do outside.

All Winter, we have been growing and enjoying fresh herbs from our little indoor garden. So, I thought what can be done, outside, on a fine, almost Spring day such as this?

The dappled willow and dogwood branches, in the left photo, are coming along nicely. The flowering crabapple  and cherry branches, on the right,  are beginning to show signs of life.


But still I felt like getting in the yard on this sunny day. So  I did what seemed like the logical thing and a kind of ritual it has become. 

I burned some grass. This officially marks spring for me.  Don't worry, my fires are not the large untended ones, requiring fire department intervention. They are just the little ones, to burn off excess grasses around a couple of the flower beds.
There is something about seeing the grass burn, as the sun shines on your face with that smell of the burning grass in your nostrils that says Spring.


I wish I'd been a little faster with my camera, because a flock of Canada geese flew over, in their familiar 'V' formation making their way back North again. Their honking encouragement could be heard for several minutes after they were far overhead and gone.

Some if the older irises, were just beginning to poke their tiny green heads through the cold ground. But they're a hearty bunch and will thrive just fine, turning into beautiful yellow or mauve flowers.

 But alas, I had to concede to the truth about the season. The ice is still in the lake out front. Thought, it's gradually succumbing to the overtaking waters and melting sun.

    And the snow is 'still in the woods'. So it will still be awhile before I can get out to do any 'real' gardening. But it was great to spend some time in the sun, listening to the birds and the overhead geese, while I 'puttered' in the yard.
Try as we like, we can not 'force' Spring. She'll arrive on her own time like she does each and every year. 
All we can do is savour each  new sign of her arrival.




Kathy