As the snow melts.....

......spring does start to show up

The Rhubarb is showing off it's love of spring's cool weather and starts to pop up.  Course around the rest of the yard you see the grass starting to poke through the remaining snow but here in this garden that gets full sun we see the rhubarb is growing.  I am wondering if I need to cover them or just let them do their own thing as they seem to be doing ok just as they are

 Mean while in the greenhouse signs of spring are popping up everywhere.  In there the snow never covers the ground but the melting snow does water it.  Here you can see the garlic chives starting to grow.

Here the apple mint is fighting with while clovers for growth.  Looks like the mint is winning but you never can tell with those pesky clovers.

So what is showing off it's spring growth in your garden?

Spring doesn't mean.......

....it's time to plant outside.

Nope it's just a date on the calendar really.  It does mean that typically the weather is warming up and the snow begins to melt, and certain flowers begin to bloom.  But although you may have the urge to plant those seedlings outside once it is spring on the calendar DON'T.  Some seedlings just aren't ready to go outside for some time yet.  

Here in NY (at least my area of NY) it is another month before I can plant many of my seedlings outside.  In fact it is snowing right now. You have to wait for your last frost date.  This is the date that on average there won't be any freezing temperatures after.  Know your zone and your first and last frost dates.  They are different in each zone and area.

To find your zone go here and type in your zip code.

To find your fist and last frost dates go here and type in your zip code.

An important thing to remember is your zone typically doesn't change each year, but your frost dates to a point do.  Granted the dates will be about the same every year but it's good to check to be sure.

So don't go planting anything outside until you check those frost dates...make sure you are within your window.

Week 12 in a NY garden

March 18-24 2013

Weather 39 degrees

Well the last month or so not much has been happening here.  Between snow being on the ground or just plain old cold weather not much happens outside.  But inside it's seed starting time now.  Last week we started our seeds here at Irish Gardens.  Lots of seeds.

So far 3 trays full of seeds are being started.  More to come but this is a start.

But thats not all thats going on this week here. 

The crocus and daffodils are starting to grow.  Now that all the snow is melted they have decided it's time to make their appearance.  Within a week or so we should have our first spring flowers blooming here.


So what are you doing in your garden this week?  Anything blooming?  Still under snow?  Or do you have lots of plants growing?  Let us know.