Birthdays and flowers and cold

Updated on April 15, 2024 by Elizabeth

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Can you believe it’s the middle of MARCH?!?!?

But it is because it’s my Grandmother’s birthday next week and we are planning a surprise party for her this weekend (don’t tell!). It’s flower-themed to fit the Flower Lady. She’ll be a mere 95 years young!

Since it’s supposed to get cold again next week (at night), the apricots are in full bloom. I’m not sure there is any other plant as bound and determined to freeze its blossoms as apricots are.

A few plum trees have started blooming too, but the plums are a much more individualistic society: each tree makes its own decision on when to bloom. Whereas the apricots are a “bloom as one, no fruit for all” society.

We had a couple plum trees break off at the ground a few storms back, but there are enough nutrients left in those rootless trunks, that there are buds on the branches! THAT is some determination right there.

The pears are smart and haven’t broken bud yet, so they should be safe.

Although it does look like there are aliens growing out of the trees right now (it’s not aliens – I checked).

Speaking of cold, if you have some of your own seedlings out, you’ll need to decide if you want to bring them in or cover them up next week.

It’s not an easy decision. You want the plants to acclimate to the outdoors… but you don’t want them to die. You don’t want to have to haul your plants in and out every day… but you don’t want them to die.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone in that decision-making. We struggle with it too. I suggest waiting until the last minute. Laziness (erm, “A profound trust in the survivability of your plants;” that sounds better) will probably win out. I know it usually does for us. And usually, sometimes, we’re right.

Lisianthus and snapdragons getting acclimated to the outside… and are on the pondering block for moving back in because of next week’s night time temps.

Speaking of colder weather, our last frost is usually around May 1-15. So if you buy non-frost-hardy plants or start seeds inside early, remember, you may have to take care of them for another 6-8 weeks.

I had that realization last week. I started some flower seeds (Note: label your future seedlings. You will not remember what seeds you planted. Trust me. You. Will. Not. Remember.) and they’re looking good. But then I realized, I’m going to have to take care of them. For weeks! I don’t do “take care of” for plants. They all have to survive on neglect. So having to do daily watering and the lights and stuff? For weeks? Not my smartest move.

It’s okay to think I’m crazy. Ruth gave me the “no, duh” look when I explained my issue to her. So, if like me you haven’t connected the dots about time, here is your reminder that you’ll actually have to intensively take care of any seedlings you get. Hopefully, you can avoid your own “no duh” moment.

Yes, yes, I know the back tray doesn’t look good. It was old seed. Like old old. So the germination rate is… not great. But the ones in front are doing awesome!