Friday is Valentine’s Day. February 14 also means there are just 34 days until spring — the vernal equinox at 11:49 pm, March 19, to be more precise — and for keen gardeners, this may be a better reason to celebrate. Bouquets of tulips or carnations are always welcome, of course, but cut branches of forsythia or crabapple in a tall vase says spring is near. It’s not … [Read more...] about Forced branches say spring is near
forcing spring branches
Forcing spring branches indoors
While standing in the dark near mounds of dogwood shrubs on my friends’ rural property last week in below-freezing temperatures, I felt like a bit of a thief. I had, in fact, gotten permission to help myself to some branches, so I snipped away and heaped my score in the trunk of my car, deposited the pruners where I found them, and drove home. I wanted the bright red dogwood … [Read more...] about Forcing spring branches indoors
Forcing spring branches
Finally, at the middle of February, the days begin to grow noticeably longer and we begin to anticipate spring. Of course, there are still several weeks of winter in front of us with the potential for more snow and ice. But I prefer to be proactive about spring activities and get started early by forcing some flowering branches. Most spring-flowering shrubs can be forced into … [Read more...] about Forcing spring branches
