Last year I made a post about how the forsythia bush around the corner from our house was in full bloom the first week of February in 2011 (SEE Anticipation). We had a really cold winter last year, not just a few cold nights and then warm up and repeat… It was bitterly cold for extended periods of time and it snowed last year. Bitterly for here means in the single digits with highs below freezing. This year, we have barely been in the freezing temps (for lows)—well, there was one night in the teens, but it was back into the 60s in no time—not our usual winter, but most people have not had their usual winter.
That same forsythia bush was almost in full bloom on the 12th of January this year and we are still waiting for winter to arrive. Many trees are pushing into their pre-bud stage. Historically, our coldest times are in January and February, but the long-range outlook still shows warmer than normal temps. I so needed a cooler winter after the hottest summer we have ever had (recorded), and we needed it to kill off some of the bugs. As it stands, we are in bad shape come spring and summer. On the other hand, I am still trying to make up for all of the money we paid to the power company trying to keep us semi-cool.
Oh, well. We take what we are dealt and need to find good in it in some way. Happy Gardening and hopefully, your plans for your spring gardens are underway!
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The weather has been kind of crazy and mixed up.. We’ve had a few sprinkles but not much..
We haven’t gotten the rain we needed and I think we ended up being about 15 inches under for the year. I am not getting a good feeling for the summer and this is just January. I hope things improve for everyone. Take care and have a great week, Roberta!
Love seeing those forsythias. When we lived in the country, We had forsythia bushes all along one side of our 2-acre lot. About this time of year, my husband would cut a few branches to bring into the house and put in a vase on the kitchen window sill to bloom. He’d continue to replace them until the forsythias outside bloomed (in April). Such a cheery spot in a grey January kitchen.
Lillian, I think that is so sweet. What a very nice memory and a way to bring springtime inside before it gets here. Take care and have a great week!
I can’t imagine seeing forsythia bloom this early! but when it does it is so spectacular!
Hi, Kimmie. We have one bush in the neighborhood that blooms before all of the rest, but I noticed today that there are more bushes in bloom. And, I was still hoping for some snow… Please take care!