Have you noticed your trees, shrubs, and plants perking up after the long winter? Well, some of mine are really stupid.
See that crabapple on the right? It is showing superior intelligence.
Here in Boulder, the month of March is generally our snowiest preceding an April where buds burst into brilliant spring color. But March has been warm; warm like May warm. The weather has the first two letters right, but that’s all. It’s the kind of warm that has butterflies bursting out of chrysalises and Boulderites hitting trails in shorts and T-shirts. Grocery stores are sold out of burgers, hotdogs and buns. Okay. I made that up, but it could happen.
Another week of seventy degree temperatures is predicted. Don’t get me wrong. I love this unseasonal weather, but I’m afraid a freeze could postpone flowering shrubs and trees until next year. It has happened before and it wasn’t pretty.
Here are some dumbass-pens.
I had always thought plants came out of their winter dormancy when the days stretched to a certain length. Most of my mine are waiting for longer days.
These hyacinth better bundle up.
But last week, I took a look outside and gasped. What? My lilacs are about to bloom. What are they thinking? They’ll freeze their buds off. It’s still March!
These stupid lilacs usually bloom in May.
We had snow until the second week in May two years ago and I did not pluck one apple from our four trees.
This year, my apple trees are resisting the temptation of these sun-drenched days. They aren’t being seduced by the rising temperatures. Their buds are tight and their branches are barren. I know they’re yearning to leaf out, soak up the sunshine, and take in nourishment from life-giving photosynthesis again. They are exhibiting very intelligent behavior. They learned their lesson.
Okay. So I get that they’re called snow crabapple trees, but c’mon. It doesn’t matter what they are called. Their buds will freeze off and die too if we get plunging temperatures and snow in April. It has snowed several times on or around Mother’s Day. This is Colorado after all.
So what am I going to do? Enjoy the warm spring weather and hope for an early summer. Oh yeah and I plan to drive to the grocery to buy some hamburgers, hotdogs, and buns before they run out. Since I can’t do anything about the weather, I’ll wear shorts, hike, and grill out!
Are you seeing signs of life in your neighborhood? Are you frightened of a spring freeze?
We’re having unseasonably cold temps so only a few brave daffodils are blooming. Usually by late March it’s colorful here, but not this year. I’m tired of seeing gray everywhere outside, so your photos of your stupid crabapples, under the bright blue sky, look charming to me.
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Thanks Ally! When we’ve had super long winters, I’ve always reminded myself that 90 degree temps will soon arrive.
It seemed harsh to judge my trees, shrubs and plants’ intelligence, but given the time of year, they could easily freeze. I love springtime with all its brilliant color and I’d hate to have another drab spring and summer like two years ago. Fingers crossed!
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The Maple syrup isn’t even running here. It was still -22 and today its snowing.. I long for green:)
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That is cold! I hope spring arrives in your part of the world, soon! We had a little snow squall last week and I don’t think it will be our last.
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We’ve had such a cold March we aren’t seeing signs of early bloomage like we sometimes do. For that I’m happy, but I am really ready for some warm weather that stays put!
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It will happen and when it does, spring will arrive with its magical technicolor super bloom!
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We’ve had so much snow that I think our trees are starting put at least until July.
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Most of our trees look like it could be January, but I was alarmed when I looked out the window last week and saw several of them leaf out. I bet you any money it snows this week. I won’t be renting a cherry picker to cover them.
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It really is disappointing when the trees and shrubs get “nipped.” Be careful though, they do have feelings and you don’t want to mess with a ticked off crabapple tree My sycamores just get vicious!.
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Hahaha! Talk back, do they? I saw a friend today who read my post and pointed out some stupid trees on Pearl Street. I tried not to insult them as I passed by…. 🙂
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Smart girl! You’re a fast learner!
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I’m smarter than those dumbass-pens….
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Yes, it looks like May instead of the end of March, Susie. It’s hard not to get caught up in the tomfoolery! From the looks of the outdoors, I keep thinking it’s time to plant my garden…
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The temps are going to drop and I bet it snows!!!! Plant your seeds inside under a grow light. I’ve only done that once. I usually go for the instant gratification. What seeds do you plant?
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love it when you see the first blooms. London has been mild this year, but so grey, so its nice to see those bright colours peeping through 🙂
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I bet it’s gorgeous there! How are you two newlyweds? 🙂
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we’re great! Off to Italy at the weekend again, and maybe have some moving news on the horizon.. will keep you updated! How are you?
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It’s been so nice here, I don’t know what’s going on but I like it!
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The cold weather will return so enjoy it while it lasts. I bet it snows this week!
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Let’s hope all the dumbass trees know something this year.
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We can only hope…..
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Winter is still here. It is not warm enough, yet.
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I’m heading back to Wisconsin and hope to bring the warm weather with me. Maybe it will come your way!
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Spring still hasn’t really arrived in NYC yet. Nothing is blooming. We need some warmth!
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I’ll blow some warm weather your way. Wooooooooooooooooooooooshhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!
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I am so torn. It’s unseasonably COLD here in Montreal, I want to vicariously thrill to Colorado’s early Spring and I don’t want to be a downer but… CLIMATE CHANGE. And there’s so much more where that comes from. Sigh.
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It makes me nervous too. We need snow in the mountains!!!!!
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There’s an incredibly stupid tree in my next door neighbor’s yard. I’m mad at it and we’re no longer on speaking terms.
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It sounds really stupid. You should sneak over there and trim one of its branches. Show it who’s boss.
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It has been warm here and plants are budding out too. Not done with Winter quite yet. I love the warmer weather 🙂 However, the plants and birds are a little confused lately. Happy Week – Enjoy!
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The birds have been so happy! I found a big fish in my yard. A really big bird must have plucked it out of the pond and dropped it!!!!!
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Probably a bird of prey – hawk or owl. Cool!!!
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I think the plants have just had it and are determined to shove on into warm weather no matter what. We’re halfway to 90 today – skipped spring I guess – actually saw cracks in the ground despite all the rain..the heat just bake is all out quickly….back to walking dog at dawn and hoping for cool. Enjoy that grilling ( and they probably do sell out sometimes)
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Wow! You’re in Texas, right? That is hot! It’s been 77 twice, but it’s going to drop big time later in the week. The plants will be screaming, “YOUCH!”
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Front will make it here Wed, but won’t last. It’s not going to get below 70 much any more. Dog has already staked out property under the ceiling fans.
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I just wish the bl**dy sun would SHINE for at least part of a day!!! been raining here every day since (feels like) November.
Enjoy some rays for me! 🙂
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Are you in Washington? Constant rain is tough. We could use some moisture here! I soaked them up while hiking today just for you!
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A bit further north in British Columbia … same climate though.
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Spring has been bursting out here since February. We’re already in the mid-80’s. I think we’ll probably get a good snowstorm still in late April or early May (we almost always do), but the grapes are leafing out, the fruit trees are done blooming already, the wild flowers are in full swing, lilacs and daffodils and tulips are done already. It’s madness I tell you. And frightening in a state where water rationing started in January.
Enjoy the weather because there’s not a dang thing you can do about it.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
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That is soooooooooo early. Wow! Our plants have been showing some intelligence, but we haven’t hit the 80’s yet!
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it actually snowed here today. 😦
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I wouldn’t mind some moisture, but snow would ding some buds. Temps will drop! It’s too early.
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No more snow!!!
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You’re looking good there, Ms. Susie! I hope that you are getting stronger by the day! Just today, my husband pointed out a couple of idiotic buds popping up right next to a pile of snow. Inpatient little bastards! I should have stayed in PR through April!
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Even my clematis which blooms in May is breaking out and wants to bloom. Stupid plant! It’s going to snow tomorrow. Sheesh!
Thanks Maria! I’m getting stronger and got the nod from my surgeon today. However, I did a classic ally oop and fell on my butt today, so I’m hoping I can get out of bed tomorrow. I’m flying out to Wisconsin!
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I think the plants are just as confused about the weather as we are, Susie, Watcha gonna do! !! 🙂
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Mine are completely losing it. Even the ones that bloom in May are starting to bloom. It’s going to snow tomorrow! Oh. Nooooooooooooo!!!!
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I think even nature like to pull a practical joke on its own constituents!
I remember few years back we had a warm spell in middle of fall & the migratory birds got confused.
No sign of spring yet in NYC
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Wow! That is really something to fool the birds! So far my plants and trees are completely out of their minds. It’s really greening up and they are predicting snow tomorrow!
Spring will come!
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You need to make little bud-shaped lycra tights.
Layer up, baby.
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To go with those little jackets! Ha! I better get busy. There are millions of them to cover up!
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It’s like the Darwin Awards, Mother Nature style. The dumb plants and trees are being weeded out, and the smart ones are left behind. Wise up, plants and trees!
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That’s right! I love it. The stupid ones are going to get nipped tomorrow when it snows!!!!!!
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Don’t you hate it when that happens? It’s so nice to see them so early, but there’s always a frost that shows up to spoil it. We’re having a cold spring over here, which sucks, but at least the foliage is acting accordingly.
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It’s early summer here and I noticed my clematis is starting to bloom! There will be some nipped buds tomorrow! Snow is on its way…..
Thanks for stopping by, LaVanabonde!
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I do not know what it is but it is well 😀
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