Happy First Day of Spring
Spring in Reno "can sometimes be short," says NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS WR-276, "Climate of Reno, Nevada. "It might be more accurate to describe two main seasons (warm and dry, and cool and wet) with two transition seasons."
Sure, the Weather Service says we have an 80 percent chance of rain or snow tomorrow night, but spring will return quickly. As warm as it's been this week, we might actually be in for an early summer. I still haven't put out my "cool season" crops (seeds or seedlings), but I plan to do it within the next few days.
One single daffodil bloomed for me today to celebrate the first day of spring. It was a nice try, but let me show you how they do spring on the other side of the mountain—in February. I took the photo below at my sister's (between Auburn and Sacramento) in February 2006.
(Thanks to Maven for showing me how to size this photo within seconds!)
Sure, the Weather Service says we have an 80 percent chance of rain or snow tomorrow night, but spring will return quickly. As warm as it's been this week, we might actually be in for an early summer. I still haven't put out my "cool season" crops (seeds or seedlings), but I plan to do it within the next few days.
One single daffodil bloomed for me today to celebrate the first day of spring. It was a nice try, but let me show you how they do spring on the other side of the mountain—in February. I took the photo below at my sister's (between Auburn and Sacramento) in February 2006.
Happy First Day of Spring!! I celebrated by purchasing a lovely deep purple tulip (they are safe from the rabbits out here). I also bought two lavender plants. I am hoping you have some good advice for these poor souls as I have tried lavender in the past and they didn't "make the cut". These are much larger plants than I have tried in the past. Any advice or tips would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Shirene
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I love purple flowers.
I've had a lavender plant on the south side of my house for years. It's only a few feet away from the house and has concrete on two sides that must hold some warmth and reflect it at night.
On the other hand, I tried a lavender in the front yard a few years ago and it only lasted about a year.
I checked the Sunset guide before I responded, and it says the English and Spanish lavenders are hardy to zone 4, which goes down to 7 degrees below zero. Northern Nevada comprises zones 1-3, so I normally try to buy plants hardy to 20 degrees below.
Bottom line: Don't get the French kind (and don't trust the nurseries not to sell it here), try to plant it in a warm place, and be prepared to lose it if we have a severe freeze. Now I tell you, huh?
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Well, I only paid $6 for them so no big loss. Not like the year I spent $120 on ground covers only to have the ONLY Mormon Cricket invasion we've had eat them all!!!
I guess I will experiment. I have several spots that might work.
Thanks,
Shirene
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Hey, check this out:
http://tmcc.augusoft.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=1011&CategoryID=1&SubCategoryID=2
I just signed up for 3 gardening classes. Maybe that will help me.
Shirene
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That's a great tip. Thanks!
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