Finally, warmer weather has visited the regions. Whoops, spoke too soon as temperatures have plummeted for the beginning of this week and the dreaded “s” word returns to the forecast.
However, area residents were granted a brief respite from the cold as temperatures hit the mid 70s last week. As the mercury rose, more and more spring peeper’s joined the chorus of birds welcoming the warmth.
A drive near any swampy area during the warm spell was no doubt music to the ears of those weary of winter as the peepers chorus could be heard with the windows up.
The brief heat also helped bring into bloom another spring staple, the daffodil.
Sunny and bright daffodils come in a multitude of shapes and colors.
However, daffodils have dangerous side too.
A post titled “19 Facts About Daffodils” by info@3QuartersToday.com said that the bulbs and leaves contain poisonous crystals.
But the post also went on to mention that in ancient Rome the flowers were prized for their sap, which was said to contain healing properties. Although given the plant’s poisonous background, this blogger wouldn’t recommend them for any medicinal purposes.
Daffodils are in the genus narcissus and according to the post in England, daffodils are known as Lent lilies.
In a post titled “14 Facts Every Daffodil Devotee Should Know” by Rebecca Shinners on www.countryliving.com, it is said that depending on growing conditions daffodils can flower for anywhere from six weeks to six months.
It also said that the daffodil is the official 10th wedding anniversary flower.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac website provided some tips about growing daffodils.
They are planted in the fall for spring blooms.
The post titled “Growing Daffodils” cautioned against uncovering spring-flowering plants such as daffodils and tulips.
“You can loosen mulch, but the shoots will still benefit from protection against cold, drying winds,” the article said.
The post also suggested deadheading the plants as the flowers fade, but folks should let the leaves remain until they die which would be for about six weeks.
Leaving the leaves on the daffodils after blooming helps the plant store energy in the bulbs for next year’s blossoms, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Many of the photos in this post were from last year and time stamps on the pictures put last year’s blooms at or around April 23.
Hopefully the old adage that it must snow three times on the blooming daffodils before it is spring won’t apply to this years crop of the yellow beauties.
A Walk in the Woods contains photos from Anna Applegate’s daily jaunts around her neck of the woods. Tagging along on the treks are dogs, Buford, Sherman and Sadie, and goats, Kyle and Kennedy.
