Is it spring where you are yet?

Here in the northern hemisphere, astronomical spring arrives in the third week of March with the equinox. Unfortunately the astronomers were a little off this year and it is still winter where we live. I know I have spoken before about the long, hard winter we have been experiencing on the Canadian prairies but it seems never ending at this point.

My brain is having a hard time wrapping itself around the fact that it is light outside when I go for my early morning walk. Yet I am still layered up in ski pants, heavy winter jacket, toque and mitts to fend off the wind chill that is perpetually sitting below -20C.

Spring in the United Kingdom arrives on the meteorological calendar on March 1st and I find it both rejuvenating to see pictures of snowdrops, daffodils and hyacinths filling my social media feed. But it is also frustrating.

I would like to see more than pictures. I want to walk out my front door and experience the grass beginning to green, plants emerging from the earth and smell the blossoms filling the air with their fragrance. Sadly with a forecast of below zero temperatures for the long range forecast, I fear we will miss out on spring all together.

My favourite spring flowers - although it is hard to choose just one - would have to be tulips. Unfortunately, I am unable to grow many as the local squirrels like to dig up the bulbs and (literally 😉) squirrel them away. Occasionally I will have the odd tulip pop up and it brings such joy. I think I would have vases of tulips in my house year round if that were an option.

What is your favourite spring flower and why? Looking forward to hearing from you to help lift me from the winter doldrums,