Seriously, Phil!
Six More Weeks of Winter
Of course we get six more weeks of winter! Why would anybody expect otherwise?
It seems climate change is putting Punxsutawney Phil out of business because it has become very unlikely for spring to start before April.
Still, disappointing.
Groundhog Day brought dreary news, but delivered them in style, wrapped in this cinematic sunrise masterpiece. Winter may not have much to offer in terms of color, but its painted skies are unmatched.
As for the weather, still frigid.
We got more snow over the weekend; I think Mother Nature is trying to return all the precipitation it held on to for the last few years, in bulk, and since the thermometer stayed below freezing the entire time, the snow cover built up a second layer.
It's February, it's supposed to be cold, or so I'm told. Stay warm and out of the elements!
February Fare
The silver lining this dull month is that February is peak blooming season for most indoor plants, many of which come from the southern hemisphere.
You may notice the violets, cyclamens, and begonias getting ready for a flush of bloom; they could benefit from a helping of fertilizer right now, as flower production requires a lot of energy.
What blooms indoors in winter?
Plants like African violets, cyclamens, Christmas cactus, rhizomatous begonias, amaryllis, orchids, anthuriums, and, a welcome bonus, whatever tender perennial you may have brought indoors to protect it from the cold: my geranium has been on a roll since November.
For a touch of spring, potted bulbs never disappoint, bringing color and fragrance to a season that dearly misses it.
Give the indoor plants about to bloom the same treatment as any perennial: water them, feed them, and give them bright, indirect light.
Keep the leaves and stems from touching the window: the light might be bright, but the glass pane is freezing and will give the plants frostbite, and avoid repotting plants during their blooming season; it stresses them too much.
Hygge
Cherish the joys of winter, the season of rest and reflection: the comfort of a warm fire, a soft blanket, quiet dusks with painted skies.
A hot cup of tea or chocolate, a thick sweater, a cozy nook by a window. Summer will come soon enough, and it can't offer any of these.