8" x 12" Watercolor
Arches 140#CP
Amazing to think that here it is early January and already there is a slight haze to the woodlands as buds begin to swell in anticipation of 'Spring'! I noticed yesterday that even our dainty dogwoods have swollen their flower buds ....And my Prunus mumi (apricot) and an 'late winter bloomer' is showing a bit of pink on some of the branches.... sigh. The weather forecas for the next few weeks is for warming temperatures, as high as 50F and 60F most of this week, though the evening temperatures still fall below freezing. The spring ephemerals - dandelion, chickweed, henbit and other early spring flowers that take advantage of sunlight through the bare trees, are now breaking ground -- Very crazy weather and seemingly far too early in the season.
Last year the USDA changed our plant hardiness zone from 7b to 7a ... indicating that our temperatures have warmed significantly over a long enough period of time to warrant the change. This means that those plants that once were consider too 'tender' to be planted where I live, now have a much better chance of survival .. and my choice for plant varieties have increased for cold tolerant plants and have become more 'iffy' for those plants that don't like too much heat.
For me as a utilitarian gardener, it means that instead of beginning my spring garden in March -- I can now begin weeks earlier in February .... geez ... where is the winter??
But like all else weatherwise, predictions are not necessarily fact, and I can still hope for snow before I plant the spring lettuces. At least I can hope ...
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Dandelion Clocks - Warm Week and Buds Breaking
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5 comments:
Wow Lin, this is a beauty.
I think your winter is still in Wisconsin. lol
Oh that is a gorgeous painting. You've captured the ephemeral quality I so love in "dandylions" as Rod McKuen says in Dandylion Days. I love the background too and it sets off the dandelion "clocks" beautifully.
Hmm, is it global warming do you think? I was watching something on TV last nigh of volcanoes erupting and wondered if that has been happening more frequently in the past few years and, if so, could it contribute to the warming trend and thus the planting zone changes.
We too will be having 50's and one 60 day but with rain. Loving this sunshine; still have snow on tops of things but that should be gone today.
Hugs,
Lorraine
This looks great especially with that background!!!
It felt like spring here today. The poor plants and flowers won't be able to figure out what is happening. I tried sitting out to paint yesterday but the wind was too much. Maybe tomorrow will work out better. Enjoy the weather!
Dear Lin - your dandelions make me wistful. We are experiencing a Jan. thaw this week and I am seeing some grass beneath my feet. The weather has certainly changed in Ohio as well. Call it climate change or whatever - it is what it is and I will take an early spring. Have a great week.
Beautiful dandelions, Lin!
--Tiff W.
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