First Signs of Spring

Colorado has had an overall "below average temperatures" winter but is currently experiencing above average temps with a record breaking 72 degrees today. The weather today was the perfect excuse to skip the gym and get exercise outside by working in the yard. Just two days ago emerged the ery very furst dwarf iris and species crocus in my South-facing front yard. This is a typical time of year to see the furst winter bulbs flower, but compared to last year, these flowers have stayed dormant for a longer time, presumably due to the below average cool temperatures. A thick layer of natural mulch covers the flower beds - unraked leaves from my large locust tree - and other organic material deposited by mother nature. At this point the mulch is suffocating the early spring bulbs so I decided it was time to do my winter/spring cleanup - at least in the front yard which always matures earlier than the North-facing back yard. A light raking of the fall/winter material from my flower bed revealed all the brimming shoots of my favorite springtime bulbs. Crocus and dwarf iris are getting ready to bloom while early tukips and daffodils are just starting to sprout. It also has become time to clear away the "winter interest" - old flower stalks with seed heads that have survived the winter to remind us of the plant life that exists there in wamer weather. I have started to see the buddings of new growth around the crowns of my perennials - especially the daisies, yarrow, and catmint. It has come time to remove my winter interest to open the canvas for the spring bulbs and the spring crowns. This is such a great time in the garden. The path has been cleared as to highlight the tulips and daffodils and to see what other spring bulbs have survived the winter. Last fall I added a variety of new bulbs to include: fritarilla, chionodoxa, hyacinth, and new tukips and daffodil colors. The canvas has been cleared.... Ready for the first signs of spring. :)