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The Turning Point

Posted on February 3, 2011 at 10:47 PM

Imbolc (otherwise known as Groundhog Day) occurred on Wednesday of this week.    It marks a major turning point in the gardening year for northern hemisphere gardeners in that it is the mid-point between winter solstice and the spring equinox.   By the time February 2 arrives, we have completed the most difficult portion of our ascent out of winter’s darkest point (December 21st – winter solstice), and are heading towards the beginning of spring (March 21st – spring equinox).   It’s hard not to feel a sense of excitement since the low point of winter is now behind us and there are hints everywhere that spring is indeed not all that far away.   I know folks who are suffering through the recent heavy snowstorms, ice, and freezing events are not feeling much spring optimism right now, but there is at least one sign of this major turning point that we are all experiencing – that being that it is getting noticeably lighter out in the early evening hours.   

 

This coming weekend I am scheduled to start the early cabbages, kale, and Asian greens, which is definitely a sign that the spring planting season is not so very far away.    Planting fresh greens seems like a fitting way to conclude a week that marked the turning point towards spring.     Happy Imbolc everyone!                  

 

Laura

kitsapfreedomgardener

Categories: Garden Thoughts, Weather

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7 Comments

Reply Daphne
06:58 AM on February 04, 2011 
Yeah we aren't really seeing the impending spring here. We are getting way too many snow storms with more on the way (two more foretasted in the net week). When the groundhog didn't see his shadow and predicted an early spring, we all laughed here.
Reply StaceyG
09:43 AM on February 04, 2011 
That's an interesting fact, I didn't know that groundhog day (or Imbolc) was the halfway point. Here in northern Illinois we're under quite a bit of snow, but this little tidbit of information does give me a glimmer of hope. :)

I've been following your blog for a little while now. You have a lot of good info on here!
Reply Mike
12:22 PM on February 04, 2011 
Happy Imbolc! I'm very curious, what month do you plant your cabbage and onions into the garden? This has been a very weird winter for us, lots of snow in November and part of December and now it has pretty much melted away...we even saw a buttercup growing along the river last night...maybe we will have an early spring.:)
Reply Thomas
03:54 PM on February 04, 2011 
WOW - I'm really surprised to see how well your potatoes have held up. MIne started to sprout in December. I don't think my basement is cool enough.

The ground hog lied this year! We have about over 3 feet of snow in my yard and a couple of new storms on the way. Boo!
Reply kitsapfreedomgardener
03:00 AM on February 05, 2011 
Daphne - Of course he could not see his shadow! The blizzard and snow clouds were hiding the sun! LOL!

StaceyG - Thank you for the encouraging words and glad you found the site!

Mike - I put the onions and the early cabbages into the ground about the first or second week of March. We are having the same weather year - seem to be skipping the harsh winter everyone was predicting and it went to the eastern and midwest portions of the nation instead.

Thomas - cool, dark, and a little damp are ideal conditions for potatoes. Our garage is usually ideal for storing potatoes. This year they are holding up particularly well.
Reply Sinfonian
03:32 AM on February 05, 2011 
The weather since GHD sure has warmed up a bit, almost in response to the early spring decision. How that pesky rodent can be right, I have no idea.

Anyway, any idea when to plant Green Wave Mustard greens indoors?
Reply kitsapfreedomgardener
01:45 PM on February 05, 2011 
Sinfonian says...
The weather since GHD sure has warmed up a bit, almost in response to the early spring decision. How that pesky rodent can be right, I have no idea.

Anyway, any idea when to plant Green W
ave Mustard greens indoors?


I would assume they are similar to any of the Asian and hardy greens - I would plant now for a early to mid March planting out in the garden. I have never grown mustard greens specifically though so it is only an educated guess on my part.