My crocus and daffodils have burst forth from the wintered layer of earth here in Maryland 7b/8a. The tiny buds on my rose canes are swollen with energy, ready to display glorious green foliage. In just four weeks it will be officially spring! In the coming days, projects in my garden will begin. Subscribe to be a part of Ever-Blooming Roses’ spring evolution!
Although this website is designed to encourage the gardener’s soul to be “ever-blooming”, it’s okay to not always be “ever-blooming”. It’s okay to feel wilted, physically, mentally, and or spiritually. It’s okay to hibernate in dormancy to rest, replenish, and process all that’s happened up to this point. We all have days, weeks, seasons, or even years when the elements of this world seem to drown us in “atmospheric rivers” as gardeners in California may be experiencing this week. Should you find yourself in a challenging proverbial winter, just remember spring always arrives. For the gardeners in the Northern Hemisphere, we have just six weeks to wait. New beginnings will bloom… new life will spring forth… as will you and I.
Within the month of January, my garden located in Maryland’s gardening zone 8a experienced some wild weather – including a few inches of snow, and minor coastal flooding from relentless rain (Note: My garden was previously zoned as 7b – I just discovered it was upgraded to 8a in 2023 due to climate change). The cold, white flakes arrived after a two-year snow drought, and I delighted in the beauty. I recently learned snow nourishes soil because falling snowflakes capture nitrogen in the atmosphere (as does rain), and deposits the nitrogen into the soil. Nitrogen is required for healthy leaves and abundant blooms. As an added bonus, the layer of snow also insulates the roots of our rose bushes from frigid temperatures, ironically, similar to how mulch insulates our beloved plants. I’ll take those blooming blessings!
Since the snowfall and a brief warm-up, which melted all the snow, I’ve noticed daffodils or crocuses have already broken ground. Clearly, they are just as eager for spring as I am. Have you noticed the sun lingers more and more in the evening, winter sky? In just seven weeks, it will be officially spring! With the added benefit of the snow this winter, may our gardens burst with luscious, vibrant blooms!
Eight weeks till Spring, and rapidly approaching seven! What will you be planting? I’m debating the possibility of adding more flower beds, and more roses to fill the beds, but then the thought of pulling more weeds prompts me to pause. I added three new beds to my garden last year; subsequently, I rotated which bed to weed that particular Sunday. That’s in addition to grocery shopping, laundry, changing the bed linens, and whatever else. Because Saturday is the seventh-day Sabbath, I reserve that for relaxation in or around my garden-themed home. Needless to say, after a busy Sunday, I typically sleep well! Ha! Although I am enjoying the winter weather (pics of my roses buried in snow to come), I enjoy sunny, warm, ever-blooming weather all the more! Eight weeks!
Winter provides the opportunity to dream, plan, and order your roses now for shipping at a later date. Don’t forget to budget for things like mulch, pots, potting soil, garden soil, pruners, and other garden tools you may need. In just a little over nine weeks, it will be officially Spring!
Although a tad chilly here in Maryland, I welcome the first day of Spring! Since purchasing my new home with a modest yard near a river, I pre-ordered five roses from various rose vendors and bought four more from Home Depot. I look forward to sharing photos and tips this glorious garden season.
The most wonderful time of the year is rapidly approaching — just four weeks till Spring!
Yesterday, I purchased two large container pots and organic potting soil as well as fertilizer for my roses. I have three different roses arriving in the coming weeks plus one already well-established in my new yard. I purchased this home over the winter months and am anxious to see what prior owners have planted. Once I make note of the colors that pop up, I can better design the garden. Until then, I will likely plant the roses in pots though until I can commit to a garden design. Thus far, I am thinking of a cottage-style garden anchored by white roses. How exciting to have a fresh canvas this upcoming Spring!
Despite the lingering winter, remember to be ever-blooming!
–Carrie
Got Winter blues? Don’t fret, Spring will be here before you know it!
‘Joseph’s Coat’, a climbing rose
