Is your ground still frozen and covered in snow? You’re not alone. This year in New York’s Hudson Valley, the end of March feels like the beginning of February. To console myself, I’m dreaming of the things I’ll do and see when winter finally melts into spring:
I’ll set up my Joan Crawford-Approved Tomato Trellis…
And plant an abundance of food in the Kitchen Garden.
Then I’ll spend a few quiet moments by the pond in the Woodland Garden…
With a sensibly-sized strawberry daiquiri in hand.
Yes, Virginia, one of these daiquiris has your name on it.
I can’t wait to have the boxwood trimmed (I hire out the job)…
Or to inhale the intoxicating perfume of roses (that’s yellow ‘Graham Thomas’ pictured above).
Of course, I’m looking forward to opening the swimming pool…
And to hosting cocktail parties there. Cocktail parties where everyone puts their feet in the water.
Like you, I’m anxious to harvest the first heads of lettuce…
And to clip sprigs of lovage…
In order to make this awesome Lettuce & Lovage Soup.
I can’t wait to take you on a tour of the Serpentine Garden…
Where we can sit on this bench and enjoy cascading Phlox subulata in late April…
And perfumed lilacs in May.
I’m dreaming about the zucchini I’ll pick…
And turn into these Angelic Zucchini Fritters.
In other words, I’m dreaming of old man winter…
Being kissed by spring.
And what about you? In the comments field below, mention some of the things you are looking forward to doing (or seeing) when winter finally…goes away.
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Louise Brouillette says
Here in the Ohio Valley, it’s 70 degrees and sunny. I planted peas and lettuce, and I’m hoping to get my kale and Swiss chard in the ground soon. Keep us posted on your beautiful garden, Kevin…love your insights and humor!
Dee says
So looking forward to joining you for spring and summer fun
Joanne Toft says
In Minneapolis, Minnesota the snow is gone but the ground is still cold, the skies grey and the wind let’s you know you are still in need of a winter coat and scarf. I am looking forward to anything green with a blue sky in the picture.
Mary in Iowa says
Thanks for the gorgeous photos giving hope that soon all will be green and blooming. I could almost taste that lettuce. Here the sea of scillas is blooming and satisfying that hunger for blue–or anything at all–that blooms at this time of year. Due to a very unseasonable winter, we’re about 3 weeks ahead of where we usually are at this time of year. Thursday I seeded in spinach, carrots, beets, parsnips and sugar snap peas. Yesterday, just as it started to sprinkle, I dashed out and planted potatoes deep in the rich earth. It’s been raining steadily ever since, and with the temp just 46 today, the brisk wind coupled with the dampness stiffens the fingers quickly, even when standing on the porch cradling a hot cup of tea. I didn’t expect it would, but Graham Thomas has ended up being one of my favorite roses, along with Gertrude Jekyll. Truth be told, I’ve never grown a rose I didn’t love, but I’m particularly partial to the David Austin English roses. I do have fun with the symbols of “The Wars of the Roses”: “The White Rose of York” (Alba Semi-Plena) and “The Red Rose of Lancaster” (Gallica Officinalis). It obviously doesn’t take much to amuse me. Will look forward to more tours of your gardens as the seasons progress.
Charlene says
In Boston we’re desperate for spring. Some brave little crocii raised their head a month ago and then had two feet of snow dumped on them. Today I photographed some more, their buds still tight in prayer that perhaps these grey clouds will flee and sun (with warmth) will return.
Tammy says
Oh, Kevin, what a wonderful set of images you’ve given us! We’ve still got a foot of snow on the ground here in southern New Hampshire, but now, instead of sugar plums, I’ve got images of snow peas and asparagus dancing in my head.
badger gardener says
I tried my hand at forcing some lilac branches this year, a much longer process than the forsythia. The first blooms are starting to open , but at the same time it is really drying out. I cut the bottoms again on a few of the branches to see if this helps at all. Maybe this is why I never hear much talk about forcing lilacs.
I took the upcoming week off since my kids have their spring break and I was hoping to do a little work in the garden but too cold and wet even though Mother Nature has some perennials poking through and trees budding early. I saw a local garden center with some potted pansies out and plan on picking up one tomorrow to infuse a little spring into my vacation week.
Teresa says
Thank you for the trip through kinder weather! It was a sweet trip! I love all your posts and wish we knew each other in person, rather than just on-line!
Chit says
Hi keven. And from the tropics it always summer not quite interesting having just summer and rains. By the way an hour ago.i was just excited about the english muffin.i teied.from your recipe. They look.gorgeous but didnt taste as.much. The dough was.good.looking but still sticky after.a
Stove top.cooking. Where did i go wrong!
Cate says
Thank you for such beauty on a dreary, rainy weekend. It salves the soul!
Nickie O says
Last years late cold snap killed all the buds on my flowering trees. Hoping and looking forward to some beautiful blooms this year.
Lucrecia says
Buenos días Kevin ,cuan hermosos son sus huertos ,cuanta dedicación en ellos ,es una maravilla.
Mil bendiciones.
Susan Iseman says
Beautiful! our creeping phlox is so thick 7 lush- what do you do to prepare it for Spring?
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
I am dreaming of a mud-free landscape, dreaming of putting both sets of peas into the ground, and eventually hosting another Plant Swap for gardening colleagues.
Kathy says
It’s spring in Idaho. Daffodils and tulips blooming. Raised beds being planted with cool crops and garden clean up time. Woo hoo!!
Elaine R says
Here in the B.C. Rockies the snow is slowly going…but so fast my lean to greenhouse becomes a wading pool! Thank goodness for portable sump pumps. The irony is I still have to go in and water seedlings while my feet are squishing in the mud. Grass and veggie garden are showing up in patches,the deer and elk are not so far, one benefit of a really big and fluffy snow!
Trudi says
In Georgia we have had an earlier than normal Spring and the pollen is already flying . The daffodils have finished and the tulips are up and glowing. The hostas are already 2 inches high ,and we have not had our last frost ! We all know it. and dread the durned cold snap. It might finish our blueberry and peach crops . NO! Please mother nature. I spent an early morning hour clipping back some old growth from last year. I leave the seeds for the birds. Back inside I am looking forward to seeing my new reclaimed basement room turned into my creating space for painting my masterpiece. (haha) and eating a piece of my lemon tart . Happy Sunday to you and all.
Linda A says
Here in Northern California, we’re madly trying to get our trees
trimmed, a job we should have done last month as many of them are
leafing out quickly.
My neighbor and his buddy bravely climbed tall, tall ladders to trim back his walnut tree that
was over-taking my backyard. Voila! Lots more light and fewer future walnuts
pouncing on my head! And a more balanced-looking tree all around.
I’m grateful.
Another couple of months maybe (?) for you to see some Spring?
Love that yellow ‘Graham Thomas’ rose and your cascading Phlox Subulata.
Laura Munoz says
Okay, Kevin. It’s already warm where I live (Texas) and the weeds outnumber me. I just worked 7 hours straight in my garden. Hand over that daiquiri, right now, so no one gets hurt!
Lynn Jarrett says
Fortunately for us in Oklahoma, we have had a mild winter. UNfortunately for us in Oklahoma, we are now in the tornado season. We had our first tornado watch in our area this afternoon with several more days of severe weather predicted for the upcoming week. More and more irises are blooming behind of my house each day. The first day there were three, then seven, and now too many to count. They are all the loveliest shade of purple – my favorite color!! Thank you for always sharing your home. The photographs are gorgeous.
Kirsten Berwick says
Still in Florida, can’t wait for the weather to break, then I’m headed for Michigan. Made my seed order last weekend…
Carol says
After an up-and-down temperature rollercoaster of a winter, it is in the 80’s here in Georgia. No rain, either. I am watering like it was June. But I am still afraid to plant tomatoes because the temperatures could head right back down next week. Love your beautiful garden pictures, and I enjoy all your posts.
Jay says
We’re enjoying true spring weather after a cruel cold snap that killed the magnolia blooms. Saturday we planted pansies in the kitchen window box, with fingers crossed! I’m looking forward to enjoying your gardening efforts and seeing what’s possible with knowledge and hard work.
Julie R says
Here in MI. it is rainy and cold. Last weekend I began to clean up my 2 perennial gardens. My tulips leaves are popping up, still waiting for the flowers. They will be a welcomed sight. All of my roses have buds. Still waiting for signs of hostas around the patio. They will break up through the ground any day now. Will hold off another month to get some veggie plants for the garden and flowers for the pots. It is still a bit too cold at night in my neck of the woods. With all of the rain, I have had more time inside with my indoor plants, adding soil to several pots, and replanting a few plants to larger pots. I had 2 palm plants that are indoors. One of them went to plant heaven and now the second one is doing the same thing as the first. They had been doing so well for a long time, and then they both turned brown one leaf at a time. Hmmm, not sure what went wrong. Maybe it was just that their time was up ?
Kevin, since watching your video about making pancakes and roasted strawberries, I have made the roasted strawberries twice. The first time that I made roasted strawberries, I made it using 1 pound of strawberries. I had them drizzled over homemade waffles. They were so yummy that the next time I tripled the amount so that it will last longer, as everyone in the family likes them a lot. Thanks for the great easy recipe. I plan on trying your pancakes also.
Marcia Leitschuh says
I can smell the lilacs…..
Tracy says
Hi Kevin,
We’re just entering my favorite season on your blog. I like the cooking posts, but love all of the gardening and plant posts even more. I’ve learned much about winter sowing from you and am very tickled with the process nd the results. I do have an easy question for you: I’ve noticed in various pictures over the years, that your fenced vegetable raised garden has evolved in various ways. Specifically, in early pictures it appears that you have rounded gravel on all of the pathways, and now it appears that’s it’s wood chips or shredded bark. Can you relay what made you select each option and what made you switch from one to the other? I’m planning a large raised bed garden and am trying to learn as much as I can before incurring major expenses. Many thanks!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Tracy — Two different gardens! I used pea gravel for the paths in my tiny herb garden (click here for details). For the much larger (and less-formal) kitchen garden, I used shredded bark (details). Both mediums work very well, although the shredded bark must be refreshed every 2-3 years.
Del Fuller says
I love your gardens, Kevin! Looking forward to more pictures and yummy recipes. Lemon tart is my new fave.
dawn says
spring dreams………..a warmer sun…winter clothes away…longer walks with my dogs…spring cleaning…sitting in my yard and smelling my french lilacs…tomato planting time…camping…hiking…kayaking…swimming in the ocean…and my newest–moving to a warmer climate before next winter. after 55 of them i’d a break.
Dana says
Hi from Georgia. As those of us who live here know, we have a very short spring that usually turns into long hot summers. We are abundantly blessed with deer that love to eat up our gardens. Other than just shooting them from our porch, what can we do to keep them it all up before we can?
Dana