Promises, Promises
Spring did not arrive in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania with the spring equinox this week, but the equinox did bring promises of spring.
Last year at this time, I had crocuses in bloom; and two years ago in the record-breaking warmth of March 2012, forsythia were blooming by this time. This year in late March, forsythia are covered with swelling buds rather than blooms, and my crocuses have not yet emerged from the ground.
But in a month that has continued this winter’s pattern of below-normal temperatures, the spring equinox ushered in a period of gradually warming temperatures and hints of spring. As I walked around Gettysburg, I saw snowdrops, winter aconites, and even some crocuses in bloom. Looking up, I could see trees budding.
By Saturday, temperatures had risen into the 60s (F), and sunshine and mild southwest breezes convinced me that it was time to get out into the garden. I spent about an hour raking fallen leaves and pine needles and removing spent stems and foliage to see what was emerging underneath.
 Especially in the small south-facing flower bed by the patio, I found several promises of spring blooms to come, including rosettes of new growth on sedum, emerging new foliage and buds of daffodils and hyacinths, |
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… and even some new green shoots of daylilies. |
 A final promise of spring is the disappearance of this winter’s snow. By mid-afternoon on Saturday, all that was left of February’s mountain of shoveled snow were a few porous patches.Three hours later, basking in warm temperatures and late afternoon sun, those patches had dwindled to this. By the end of the day today, I think they will be entirely gone. |
Jean's Garden 
My husband is just finishing cleaning out the driveway. Again. Nice to see those sedum leaves coming up! Cheers.
Diane, I am a winter lover, but this is the point in the season when I am just sick of winter and ready for spring. I hope your husband doesn’t have to clean out the driveway too many more times before spring arrives.
It’s 23 degrees here in upstate NY today but yesterday it did get above freezing and quite a bit of snow melted. I saw robins for the first time this Spring. Your post made me so hopeful that I went outside and to see if I could find any other signs of “life” and sure enough the daffodils had risen! How did they do that in frozen ground! Thanks for the encouraging report. I needed that!
Amanda, I’m glad I was able to provide some hope that spring is working its way north and will get to you in the next month. We’ve had more snow and cold here, but they’re promising 50s later this week. I’m still waiting for my crocuses to put in an appearance.
We have daffodils and cherry trees blooming in Upstate South Carolina, but the forecast is for a low of 25 on Tuesday night. Two steps forward and one step back; doesn’t seem like this winter will ever end.
Marian, We had another coating of snow here yesterday. When I looked out at the white world (again!) this morning, I had exactly that same thought: “Two steps forward and one step back.” I do have faith that this winter will end. (In a few months, we’ll probably all be complaining about how hot it is 😉 !)
You must be so glad to see the end of the snow at last and what a joy to see all the emerging shoots.
Chloris, We haven’t quite seen the end of snow yet; it snowed yesterday! But those emerging shoots do reassure me that the end is in sight.
I know you are happy that the snow has finally melted. We still have a foot of snow on the ground in New Hampshire and more coming tomorrow. I have heard from our landscaper in Maine that we have even more snow at our cottage. Spring is definitely taking its time this year. 😦
Karen, Did yesterday’s storm go far enough out to sea to miss you in New Hampshire? It just brushed us in Gettysburg — nuisance value snow.
We were so lucky Jean, we are getting lots of wind but thankfully no snow which is a real blessing. 🙂
Thank you for reminding me about what I’ve missed — or not missed — since I’ve been in Florida. I hope it warms up for you soon!
Kevin, If ever there was a good winter to be ordered to a warmer climate by your doctor, this was it!! They’re promising 5 days in a row of seasonable temperatures (50s) here later this week. We’ll see. (Have you ever noticed that the really good weather is 5-7 days out in the forecast and deteriorates as it gets closer?)
Spring appears to be delayed but not denied. I hope those buds spring into bloom for you soon, Jean!
Kris, When those spring flowers finally bloom, I will have trouble remembering how impatient I was waiting for them.
I am sorry I have to disagree with T.S., MARCH is the cruelest month! April always has evidence of Spring, but March’s end is almost never pretty!
Jayne, I can’t disagree; March is usually a roller coaster ride. It did “go out like a lamb” in Gettysburg this year; and although we’ve been getting a lot of rain, the temperatures have turned more seasonable.
Wow that was fast for spring to arrive, but the warm temps help. We are still very chilly barely reaching 40. So only a couple of very early blooms while the snow continues to melt. There is about 1/3 to 1/4 left.
Donna, We are now having many days in the 50s and 60s in southern PA. Even though the season is far behind where it would normally be at this point, at least all traces of snow are gone. (I think it would even be safe to put away my snow shovel. 😉 )
Last week we had snow on the ground. It has certainly been a spring where winter is reluctant to leave. However, I do see spring’s touch here and there, gently creeping forward.
Michelle, I feel as though we’ve turned a corner and spring is truly here. I finally have some flowers in bloom.
What a welcome sight, signs of spring. I’m glad it’s finally happening for you. It was a long winter. Before you know it, you’ll be seeing flowers.
Grace, After this year’s long winter, spring is especially welcome.
I love how brave sedum is. New rosettes of growth often form even while covered in snow. Spring has finally arrived here. Yay!!
Tammy, And it’s even moving north to me. I am hoping to see forsythia in bloom in the next couple of days, and I’ve started to see the first signs of new growth on my bleeding hearts.
Hello Jean, your photos are lovely. Nice to see the beginnings of Spring. (and yes, I also love winter). Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
Linda, Even we winter lovers get tired of it by April. I hope you’re seeing some signs of spring in Montreal.
Such a long time since I visited you Jean. Glad I was just in time to see your spring begin to arrive. Actually, I wish we were still at that stage; we’ve had such hot, dry weather that everything’s fading too fast1
Cathy, It’s nice to hear from you. I’ve been very remiss in visiting others’ blogs (mostly because I’m in the throes of getting ready to move from my school-year home in Gettysburg). I had lost track of what was happening with weather in Europe. At the moment, it’s difficult to imagine that it will ever be hot or dry here (but I know we’ll be complaining about the heat in a couple of months 😐 )
Glad to read that spring is finally making an appearance in your neck of the woods Jean. I’m sure that it will be extra special to make up for its tardiness.