This has been an unusual period of unseasonably warm weather. Last night's overnight low temperature remained above 50 F. We may see more than 70 F during the day today. The White Pine tree sheltering these Arbutus plants kept the ice from forming here. Snow cover was also thin so these plants are fully exposed to indirect sunlight despite their placement on a north facing slope. The flower buds formed last fall will soon open releasing the wonderfully scented white flowers. Yes, we are excited by the promise of what will soon be here.
A less pleasant reality presents itself just down the hill. A ditch has been established to carry away running water but it fills with plowed snow and ice. That sends melt water into the lane and substantial ruts result. The five foot long pry bar with a blade tip was used to attack the ice. An open section of the ditch and sore shoulders resulted. Water worked its way under the remaining ice and the driveway surface is not in horrible shape.
Believe it or not this is a picture of great success. A water bar was formed across the driveway to direct the water that runs down the hill in the direction of the Cardinal Flower. That first patch of brown snow resulted from the water that was directed and held there. Cardinal Flower transplants are close by that water. This spring the water bar will be repaired and expanded. A depression will be dug to increase the water holding capacity of the area. Cardinal Flower prefers moist soil and we will try and make that happen somewhat naturally.
Standing water is seldom seen here because of the deep gravel deposit that lies just beneath the soil surface. When frost fills the soil, water retention is the result. We do not recall ever seeing this much water here before. The town road is the high ground here and the water that ran down our hill is trapped.
Reflections on the water's surface create an unusual and attractive scene. We were fortunate to get these pictures yesterday as the frost has left the ground and all of the water seeped away. We did walk here this morning to check on the status of our plants. The water was gone!
Close by we found this New England Aster already underway with this year's growth. Its purple flowers with yellow centers are months away but we can certainly see another new beginning here today.
2 comments:
I've not followed the technicalities properly but it seems the plants are ok?
That picture with the water standing above the otherwise frozen garden sent chills down my spine. I hope you don't have bad losses where the water was pooling. Spring is very capricious here where I live as well. Hopefully it will be as the proverb says, "in like a lion and out like a lamb" for you.
Christine in Alaska, not quite spring yet
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