There were times this past week when I wanted to pick up the entire garden and move it south by a couple of Plant Hardiness Zones because I am ready for spring temperatures and spring planting. Unfortunately, I do not have that capability! So I will just have to be patient.

Here it is, the first hardy plant declaring it is time to start growing. This is the rhubarb waking up from winter. Before we know it, we will harvest full-sized stalks for whatever rhubarb goodness the kitchen creates.

Yes, it’s time for crocuses and witch hazels to bloom. The few sunny days this week do not spell the end of winter; we are only halfway through, but the flowers are right on track for the season.

It’s been a quiet week in the garden except for the sound of rain. Snow and ice are a faint memory washed out by mild temperatures and rain, rain rain.

Our winter storm lived up to all the predictions. After a modest amount of snow and several days in the 20s, the next incoming storm brought traffic-snarling, plant-coating ice precipitation.

It was undoubtedly a windy and cold weekend. Fortunately, we had plenty of notice to prepare the garden for the Arctic Blast! Appearances are deceiving. It was 15 degrees with wind chill, making it 10 degrees on Saturday morning. Brrr!

We spotted this unusual coloration on the underside of a Swiss chard leaf this week. The topside of the leaf had even brighter color contrasts with the central veins neon yellow, outlined in bright green and surrounded by reddish purple. It is striking, to say the least.

It’s time to reflect on the past season to inform decisions for the next season. So many decisions need to take place away from the siren call of seed catalogs.

These are calendula flowers that are still blooming! The Allison Spa uses these after we dehydrate them. About every 10 days, we have enough to harvest.

This time of year produces lovely sunrises, especially when viewed through a hand-crafted wreath.