The 2024 Garden Year
January 19, 2024 January Our year started with snow, ice and frigid temperatures in mid-January. Our temperatures stayed below freezing for almost a week. I think it was the most consistent cold that we've experienced since moving here. Fortunately, it was a dry snow so there wasn't too much damage. Once again, we almost lost the azara and I'm afraid there would have been some breakage if I had not kept knocking the ice off. February 14, 2024 February In past years, it seems that inclement weather seems to hit around Michael's birthday in mid-February. After the January snow and ice, this month was actually quite tame. Nothing exciting to report - mostly birdwatching . Early flowers like hellebores, cyclamen and crocus begin to bloom in mid month. March 3, 2024 March I got into a walking routine which I'm happy to report I am continuing this year. You get to the point where you feel guilty if you miss a day. I do miss days occasionally but I'm learning that ...
I know this cold spell is hard for you all down south. I do think the layer of white on your garden is quite stunning. Beautiful garden Phillip! I hope the cold will not damage your camellias! Hopefully it will not linger long. Warm Regards, Carol
ReplyDeleteIn Helena nothing has stuck, though I did see some big flakes. Right now the gray sky is spitting ice. And that football game? All I can say is ROLL TIDE!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I forgot to say how gorgeous your garden looks with a topping of snow. I really enjoyed your photos; I was hoping I would be able to pozst something similar.
ReplyDeletePhillip, that touch of snow adds a bit of quiet mystique to your wonderful photographs of your garden.
ReplyDeleteHopefully that is all that will fall, so you won't have to shovel and you can just enjoy it.
Happy New Years!
What a gorgeous frock for your garden. It looks like it is ready for the winter ball. I enjoyed peeking out the windows. Lovely views all. Try to keep warm this weekend.
ReplyDeleteAw, that makes everything look lovely, though as Carol observed, it's hard on you southern gardeners and some of your plants. I hope the weather moderates soon.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful but we are fortunate that it won't stay long. We got about the same in Tupelo but schools are closed for two days!
ReplyDeleteI think maybe you got a little more than we did. They called for inches and we just got a dusting. We were hoping for good sledding snow. Beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteSo peaceful looking. You'd never know you aren't in the country already. LOL I see my dentist's office right across the street in that fourth picture.
ReplyDeleteAnn S.
Great bones, Phillip! The structure of your garden is shown to perfection in these snowy images.
ReplyDeleteI never realized you live in a subdivision with neighbors close by. From your warm-season, leafy pics, I'd always believed you were in a somewhat rural area. What a surprise to see glimpses of neighboring houses in this post.
The football game is all that people are talking about here in Austin too, naturally. My DH and kids are in the living room watching the game right now. I'm opting out in favor of blog-reading.
Great photos! I am glad you have so many opportunities to enjoy the scenes from inside the house. Keep warm!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Phillip! so serene, and can't wait to see similar shots as life begins to emerge.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is beautiful anytime of year Phillip! gail
ReplyDeleteYour gardens are frosted. Lovely, lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat 'fricking' football game, Phillip :-) ? Do you mean the one in which we won?
ReplyDeleteSeriously, your snow brushed garden looks lovely. I can't find mine, it's under about 8 inches of the white stuff.
I wish my back garden looked like a winter wionderland, instead I watch the freight trains go by...now and again a little wild life to life the spirits though.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you.
It's really beautiful because of the grasses and leaves beneath the snow. Hope it doesn't do much damage.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Snow or no, Phillip, your garden is the stuff dreams are made of. It is still at the top of gardens I would love to see in person. One of these days! I agree about the weather being a better topic for the news, ours is always filled with what seems like a police blotter, crime after crime. I only watch for the weather, now the weather is story number one. I love your view down on the bench, hope there is a comfy chair there to gaze down often. Do stay warm!
ReplyDeleteFrances
Hmm, is that the football game that was on last night. I tricked DH into turning the TV to Ace of Cakes during half-time.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks beautiful under it's thin layer of snow. We didn't get anything here. At least the sun is out, even if it's in the mid-30's and blowing!
Your photos from inside the house demonstrate how well designed your garden is. You have a great view out of each window and the front door. Enjoy your snow while it lasts & stay warm.
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteYour garden is lovely in all our seasons. I feel I've taken a stroll many times and it always destresses. Would love to see it in person. Huntsville isn't too far from you. Maybe someday! You all have done a great job with your garden. Regards, Ann
This is beautiful! I am share your birds from yesterday on my blog because you inspired me the day I saw it to go out and try to capture some myself. THANK YOU PHILIP!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a nice dusting. In Michigan, we consider that amount of snow a hard frost, LOL!, but I understand that in areas that don't usually need snow removal equipment, that's a big deal. (And I don't like football, either, which makes it hard living in Ann Arbor in fall!)
ReplyDeleteUnusual scenes for Alabama! The snow's beautiful, but too bad it shuts everything down - same thing happens here in Raleigh. Hope your garden makes it through OK!
ReplyDeleteYour yard looks as good covered in snow as it does in summer.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful it's almost like you designed the garden for snow!
ReplyDeleteI’m amazed by all these snow photos in the south. We aren’t getting our normal snow in Maine – now I know where it is. Your garden is lovely in the snow, but I hope it doesn’t hurt your southern plants.
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