I love fluffy clouds too N. Always looked to see if they made a shape of an animal since a child. Still do it now Lol
I just observed several robins outside, that’s the definitive sign that spring has arrived. (To be honest, I don’t like them that much because they dig up the moss in the yard in search of worms all summer). I am happy to see them this time of year though. And they always nest in the large mountain laurel next to our house. Picture below is not mine.
Well I covered everything that I could as a frost was forecast overnight, but to my delight first thing this morning there was cloud cover, so no whiteout. OK it's a very dull start to the day on the first day of Spring but my maples can cope with that very nicely indeed. The forecasts here for the next two weeks show nothing below 5°C at night. Thank goodness.........
We got the freeze, -1.5, There was a big block of ice in the wheelbarrow, still full from recent rains. I had brought some pots in, a good precaution apparently! But I don't anticipate any damage to outside plants, some are close but nothing really completely in leaf. Yes, no freezing in sight for not. But early days. Glad to hear you escaped it, D.
I think 'Escape' is a very good word E. Hope yours were not too badly hit, but as you say early days atm for our trees.
I like the trend of the low temperature over here. Yes, spring has arrived, in addition to seeing the robins we also heard the eastern phoebes today..
Mr Blue Sky indeed N. I can hear the ELO song in my head to go with your lovely Spring photo as I type this.
My thermometer, in the shade and in the coolest location of my garden (N/NW) reads "23.9 ° C". Aphids are on the march, in battalions ! Here's a photo of an Acer elegantulum, all the tips have black spots (aphids), and in the left bottom corner, you can see a wasp or a similar predator :
Hottest March day since 1968 recorded here in England, 24.2° C. Not quite the 25° C record, but almost. I think everyone is going to lap this up for the few days it is going to last, especially after the year we have all had.
I'm spraying tonight, not enough predators at this time of the year. Can we not catch a break at all !!! There's always something...........
Just saw that, think you have just pipped my garden and I expect overall somewhere in France will hit 26° C . How's the water table there Alain? After last years drought this doesn't bode well.
I haven't checked, but here, it should be OK for the moment. But I heard on the radio that in the south, farmers were demonstrating against water limitations. But you know, that's France, we love to hold protests and demonstrations - even when it's justified, so...
Think it's a watch and wait scenario again. No rain forecast here for the next 12 days, so my rainwater tanks will be essential for those Spring leaves.
23.1° here, we did get a little ocean haze later in the afternoon. I actually spotted a lady(bug, bird) in the garden, I don't recall seeing one this early before. But as you say D not many predators out yet, though lots of bees. And aphids, for sure. The water table is in good shape here, so probably not too bad for the moment in the Loire Valley. Rain would be welcome, though! (Although I'm enjoying the sun too.)
Seasonable weather for us. Perhaps this weekend I might move my Cymbidiums outside. Red maples are in bloom everywhere, and Cornelian cherries.
Lovely! Cornus mas is missing from our garden, a real shame. Just heard the first cuckoo, so it's officially Spring!
Need some of these bad boys !! just inspecting all the trees today in the sunshine and i can honestly say i have never seen so many Lady birds/Bugs on my trees before at this time of year, added a pic of a Mikawa and it had numerous ones scuttling about.
Not one here at the moment M, but I'm hoping they will visit my garden soon as I have aphid city here.
