02.26.08 DRENCHED DAFFODILS

Nodding in the cold rain, but still pushing toward the sun!

02.20.08 BARE IS BEAUTIFUL

This ornamental shrub in a city garden blooms early, long before any of its leaves appear. Its bare branches are particularly lovely brought inside for forcing.

02.18.08 SUNNY CELEBRATION

The form and color of the amazing crocus communicates nothing but pure joy at the return of the sun.

02.17.08 WINTER WONDER

My wife points out to me the bloom of another, rather peculiar, winter-blooming plant growing in a sidewalk garden in town. This is hellebore, often called Christmas rose or Lenten rose by the English.

02.15.08 SEED SUCCESS

The broccoli seed I planted just six days ago has germinated and begun to poke up through the soil in the little pots I placed under grown lights in an upstairs bedroom.

02.11.08 BRIGHT BLOOM

Spring proceeds apace in spite of the cold weather. The lengthening days encourage the blossoming of what I think is called “winter jasmine” in some of the gardens around town.

02.09.08 GARDEN BEGINNING

It is with great hope that I sat on the porch in the cold winter sun today to plant broccoli seed for starting inside under lights. As Thoreau wrote,

“...I have great faith in a seed...Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”