February Blues

Today in my garden, I watched my daisy seedlings grow under the grow lamps. My daughter started them for a school science project involving magnets. She is done with the project and now I get to keep the seedlings. I watered my forced hyacinth and daffodil bulbs. I found a pot with crocus and daffodil bulbs in the basement that I had forgotten about from last year. They were sprouting! I potted them and am giving them to my mom today when we go visit. Last Sunday my husband helped me cut back the pussy willow shrubs that the rabbits destroyed. I have enough pussywillow cuttings in vases to plant a forest. I am contemplating starting some apple tree cuttings as I have been researching that topic. The temps in South Dakota are finally above 0 and we have had rain for two days. Spring is coming!!

March in the Garden:

Hello Mrsmith: I grew up in a climate like yours and the thought of pussy willows brings back fond memories. I now live in the Southwest and have the opportunity to garden 12 months of the year.(A blessing most of the time.)

Yesterday I planted five new roses. I'm trying David Austin's (Lady Emma Hamilton and Grace) and I am really looking forward to having them in the rose garden. I have moderate success with roses, they seem to be able to come up with new challenges every year.

One thing about the colder parts of the country I miss is the anticipation in the Spring. (The first lettuce, asparagus, radishes and little green onions---they are still some of my favorite veggies.)

Happy Gardening.

Oh, to be planting roses. What bliss and joy would be in my heart. We are in the midst of a Winter Storm Warning. We have missed most of the snow but the ice is like a skating rink on the roads and the bitter cold north winds have pushed us below zero again. To read your post was like a ray of sunshine. We can only hope for spring at this point.
Yesterday, I transplanted my daisy seedlings into bigger pots. I have many other flower seedlings growing in the basement on my planting table. The pussywillows now have catkins and leaves. The tiny white roots are forming and will be strong and healthy to plant. I took two huge bundles of them to church and make arrangements. They are so perfect for Lent and the anticipation of Easter.
My apple tree cuttings are doing great in sand. One bundle looks like it is beginning to root. (I know I need to leave them alone but I have to dig around and check on them.)
I have planted my tomato plants and will do peppers later today or tomorrow.
The hyacinth have lost their spunk and are on the decline. They were beautiful while they lasted. Soon there will be daffodils in pots in the entry way.