It's March and we've seen some 50 and 60 degree days recently. Practically springlike after our polar vortex winter. People shed their jackets. Trails were full of walkers, runners, and bicyclists. Dogs romped around at the dog park. Until today... the 3rd day in March... it feels like 4 degrees outside and we're being slammed with half a foot of snow. The tricky weather gave us a reality check that it is still winter. Jackets are back on (for those few people who choose to venture outside). Trails are empty. Dogs are snuggled indoors. We're protected from Storm Titan.
Unfortunately, my tulips were also tricked by temporarily increased temperatures and decided to peek through over the weekend. While they are more resilient when it comes to cold than I am (which I'll admit is pretty pitiful), they don't have the option of going inside and putting on fleece pants and slippers if the cold and snow do bother them. I helped them with the next best thing...
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| Tulips and some Columbine growing too |
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Mulch: The jacket for tulips (and other plants)
I took advantage of the balmy day yesterday to do some yard work before the 50 degree temperature plunge. After clearing away some dead brush, I did a quick Home Depot trip to pick up 2 large bags of mulch (plus some seed starting soil and the rest of the materials needed for a squash arch - just a preview of upcoming blog posts!). A few chunks of the mulch were frozen from being stored outside in the HD Garden Center, but enough of it was loose to cover the tulips and few other plants that also wish it were already spring. Let's hope that Ulysses, Vulcan, Wiley, Xenia, Yona, and Zepher don't make an appearance, but if they do my plants are protected... and will be sufficiently watered when the temperatures finally increase for good!
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