After a long and lingering period of what can only be described by anyone with an itchy gardening boot as TOO-MUCH-COLD-WEATHER, the spring temperatures we’d expected near the 20th of March finally arrived on a distant April 21st this year; and, the elation of gardeners in southern Ontario was profound!
With the warmth in the air suddenly peaking at 48℉ / 9℃, I spent the whole marvelous afternoon outdoors: shifting last autumn’s leaf mulch from around the base of my newly sprouting perennials; retrieving my mother’s front-porch swing from it’s winter home under a tarp in the backyard; tucking in plant tags that eager squirrels had dislodged; marveling at the appearance of garlic sprouts grown as an experiment from cloves planted last fall; and admiring the beauty of the yellow, white and purple crocus flowers gracing my rockery.
My 6-yr-old grand-daughter, eager to get her hands dirty and help with the work, began as an asset with more energy than skill; however, her interest quickly waned when playing with gravel and the lure of the neighbour’s dogs proved more exciting. I continued alone, thinking the quiet solitude just fine, until one of the dogs followed his new friend back to our yard, restructured my pile of leaves, and planted himself on my newly sprouted garlic.
The afternoon was filled with unexpected, unforgettable, and even unwanted moments that, looking back, I wouldn’t trade for anything: Spring finally got its foot in the door; and, the first warm day heralded the beginning of a new, exciting gardening adventure. May it, too, be long and lingering.
