Thursday 10 February 2011

Signs of Spring?

It is getting noticeably lighter in the evenings now (although not quite in the mornings yet), and I smelt hyacinths in Marks and Spencers the other day. I am resisting buying daffodils until it is mid February (they are to me the first signs of Spring but mid January just seems far too early), but I did get some half-price hyacinths last week. These should have pink blooms when they open and I hope they will smell wonderful. My little Christmas tree has sprouted, and it is time to put it into the fridge for 8 weeks - I know that sounds weird, but my guess is that that "forces" a winter. I am a little concerned as quite a big shoot has come up and I don't want to kill it, but I've got plenty of time to have another go if it turns out that I have not had success this time.


What are your signs of Spring?

9 comments:

  1. Our robins fly south for the winter so the first sign of one reappearing is always a reason to celebrate!

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  2. I had noticed the evenings getting lighter, but that is about it. I hope spring arrives soon.

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  3. The first snowdrops mean spring to me! They've been out for weeks now and the cherry trees are starting to bloom - it's definitely springtime in Vancouver!

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  4. Spring to me is the return of fountain grasses and, almost overnight, the return of Texas wildflowers. Bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and wild mustard, all creating a beautiful splash of color in the grass.

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  5. A certain smell in the air, flowers peeping through and a whiff of sunshine....
    Hope you've still room in the fridge for cooking with your Christmas tree there.
    Oh and tulips.

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  6. For me it is daffs - I cannot wait to get some in my flat.

    I know it is on the home run for Spring/Summer when I go to work in the light and come home in the light!

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  7. First signs that Spring is on it's way, not having to turn the lights on so early each day, same thing applies for the central heating.

    There is always something in flower in our garden, but at this time of year there is a lot more coming into bloom, crocus, snowdrops, violets, primroses, and daffodils are all making a splash of colour in our garden.

    Had a lovely surprise when I was given 4 bunches of daffodils last night. My husband did a talk for a local to us geology society. He was given a bottle of white wine, and I got the daffodils. I had gone along to give him moral support.

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  8. I went to Columbia Road Market nearly two weeks and managed to bring back a big bunch of tulips and also some gorgeous hyacinths which have only just finished perfuming my flat! I was very glad they survived the trip back to Oxford unscathed. I hope you enjoy yours when they come out. I can never read about anything like this without thinking of the Provincial Lady and her bulbs...

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  9. So many different signs of spring! I have some daffodils peeping through in my windowbox - I hope that we don't get another frost or they will be frozen, poor things. it does seem to be getting lighter, but for me the key moment is when the clocks change, which is still 7 weeks away.

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