Chicagoland Spring

What should be a simple post, became a long story. 

We have had a mild winter, by Chicagoland standards. 

No measurable snow---since December 17th, 

which was just enough to sort of be a whitish Christmas.

After dust begins collecting on the seed catalogs that arrive--
promptly after New Years. Some earlier this year...sheesh!

http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com

In our house, Spring begins the first week in February. 

Hubby drags out the seeds and trays and sets up a mini-green house

 in the kitchen for starting tomatoes, peppers, and broccoli.
GREEN: We reuse containers and trays, and finally invested in large baker's trays for the greenhouses.

http://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com

After 5 weeks, this is how the plants looked yesterday in the mini-green house in the kitchen.  

We do use pellets, make sure to squish and loosen them before planting otherwise they are too stiff to allow roots to grow.

SPRING usually starts when we move the seedlings into bigger containers 

out on the larger front porch greenhouse. 

We use this for convenience, usually with a heater. 

The greenhouse is on the south side of the house and 

sheltered from north winds and has full sun all day. 

Long shadows, keep the backyard greenhouse cooler until mid to late April.

On the kitchen island hubby plants tomato seedlings into bigger containers.

Broccoli, ready for transplanting, when they droop---it is definitely time.

Drooping tomatoes---so ready for big containers

So....when we had those 60 degree days, we got all enthusiastic, I hung my egg/wreath on the front door and we put up that medium greenhouse the first week in March. Sigh....

And we were ready and waiting. 

Today, one more day of transplanting more tomatoes and peppers.

Lots of peppers ready to grow into plants. I will start marigold, zinnias and other perennials in pots/trays directly into the porch greenhouse as soon as it is warm enough.

So far here is the set-up. I'm sure we may add more shelves, later.

After one night of transplanting, see how they perked up in the mini-greenhouse.

Peeking at all those southern Spring posts had me itching to do a springy one.  

But deep-down, we, Midwesterners and Northeastern Americans SHOULD know better.

Since, Spring is a state of mind Chicagoland, fleeting at most---WINDY---(+60mph) last Wednesday. 

And, the above SPRING  egg wreath took flight twice and is now in the house.

This morning....along with the half the country, 

no bunnies, daffodils, or budding branches here...

At 7AM out the bedroom window.

Like most of the upper states---we HAVE SNOW!

Not too much so far, but we have Lake-Effect snow expected tonight (4-6")---so the medium greenhouse stands, shivering and plant-less. 

This really isn't much compared to what the east coast will get.

I tried to look at the green side of life---from my ivy planter.

 But each ivy leaf strains to grab Spring. Sigh...

No Spring here either.

The Dragonflies try to stay in flight, the right one is spinning---must have been the windstorm lat week.

Our backyard from the back porch. Oh, I so miss the view from the back porch. 

Alas, the porch is still packed up for winter! And, 22 degrees isn't particularly comfortable.

But a sure sign of Spring, despite the weather.

SHhhhhhh, birdies are nesting. 

Not sure if it's the Junco family or the English Sparrows that were there last year. 

The turf war has been extensive over who has ownership---

there is a new nest inside--details to follow.

Welcome to my Spring

 Chicagoland Style.

Thanks always for visiting. 

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

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