Spring in the Northlands

Pussy willows, Narcissus and
the early spring garden field beyond
the kitchen window.

We in the Northlands have been seeing lovely signs of spring, now, for months... as posted on the interwebs by our more southern friends. And even late summer into fall from those on the other side of the equator. And we are used to it, after a fashion and take joy in the brightly colored bits as we scroll the screen. 

Sometimes, when we want that flowering cheerfulness a bit closer, we snag a bouquet or a pot of flowering friends, imported from the southlands, or at least from a local greenhouse, from the enticing display just inside the entrance to the produce section of our local grocery market. And yes, it helps. 

When we are in what "should be" the last dregs of winter, but the old woman (or man, depending on your mythology) just won't relinquish the reins, bits of a poem often come to my mind. 

If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,
And from thy slender store two loaves alone to thee are left,
Sell one, and with the dole
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.

Now, I am not especially a fan of hyacinths (though I do like the little spring flowers commonly called "grape hyacinths" which are Muscari armeniacum, actually a type of lily and are not true hyacinths), but from the first time I read those lines, I saw a hilly field before my mind's eye, covered with daffodils. And so it is and will always be for me. And in the last dregs of winter, or the most frustrating days of early spring, I often have a bouquet or a pot of jonquils, daffodils or to be most accurate and cover them all, Narcissus (their genus). 

Finally (and for now, at least) all of the early spring "poor man's fertilizer" as these late snows are often called, have melted, leaving only the more solid bits of actual left-over-from-winter snow. There are still larger expanses in the back field but the garden, to the south  of the house, is clearing nicely. Not thawed yet, to speak of, but with the predicted temperature *next* week (long range forecast... likely will vary!) staying above freezing even at night and at least one day predicted to reach 60°F, I will be taking Mother Earth's temperature soon and that means plotting to plant the first partial rows of early season crops that can tolerate colder soil AND getting my seedlings some daytime airings (beginning the hardening off process) on the porch. YAY!