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March 12, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Some Notes on Phenology

Climate

I left for a visit to the Chicago Flower and Garden Show on Friday and the front bed was devoid of greenery — just dirt and old leaves. Not surprisingly given our warm winter, I came home to lots of tulip shoots poking their noses above the soil.

Since I started this blog in the fall of 2007, this is the fifth time I have noted the arrival of tulip foliage and it is the earliest date for noticing it. However, it is not as early as I thought it might be compared to previous years. The latest date that I recorded tulip foliage being up was in 2008, when it arrived March 30. In 2009, the arrival day was March 15. In 2010, March 16 and last year, despite a lot of snow cover, March 19.

I find phenology — the study of nature signs — fascinating. Both my husband and I have noticed that the birds seem to be more present since this weekend, and each of us have seen red-wing blackbirds and robins around. Over at my friend Penny’s blog, you can see pictures of the swans and ducks that are coming through the area.

This blog has been a great way to make notes of what’s happening in my yard.

Related posts:

  1. Way Ahead of Schedule The tulips in front of my house are in full...
  2. More than Six Months of Gardening in Minnesota? Yep. This past week, I picked basil in my garden and...
  3. What Makes A “Perfect” Winter in Minnesota? I was talking with a gentleman whose garden Northern Gardener...
« Book Review: Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers
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My Northern Garden book

mynortherngarden_mary

Author, editor, blogger. Plants, how-tos, books, recipes, and Lola, the dog. #coldclimategarden
#nativeplants
#urbangarden
#gardenwriter

Instagram post 2198851247623355458_1447832097 Let the holiday baking begin with Emily Dickinnson’s Black Cake, a delicious compromise between fruit cake and gingerbread. I use candied ginger and dates instead of currants.  Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee on a cold day. #Recipe below:

2 cups sugar
1/2 lb butter
1/4 cup molasses
5 eggs 
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cloves 
1 tsp mace
1 tsp cinnamon 
1/2 tsp nutmeg 
1/4 cup or more brandy
1.5 lbs total dried fruit (I use citron, raisins, dates, candied ginger)
 Cream butter and sugar until light, add eggs one at a time and molasses. Beat well. Sift spices and dry ingredients together. Adds dry ingredients to butter mixture alternating with brandy. Add more brandy if needed. Fold in dry fruit and pour into two regular sized loaf pans (or about 6 small ones). Heat oven to 225 and place a large pan of hot water on bottom shelf. Bake at 225 F (yes, 225) for 2.5 hours. After 2.5 hours, remove water pans, increase heat to 300 and bake another 30 to 40 minutes. It should be firm and a little crispy on the edges. Let cool. Slice and enjoy! 
#ambaking #emilydickinson #blackcake #oldrecipe #literarycooks #EmilyDickinsoncooks #notfruitcake
Instagram post 2197447242024110013_1447832097 Look what blew out of the defroster in my car: Japanese beetle corpse. Those guys show up in the strangest places! .
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#minnesota #mngardener #japanesebeetle #snowday #minnesotaweather #deadbug
Instagram post 2196701309921404156_1447832097 The annual gIfts for gardeners post is on the blog, and one of my favorite new-to-me but ancient-to-the-world garden tools is an olla. I used one in a tomato container this past summer and had the healthiest tomatoes ever. Thanks to @jenniferrensenbrink for telling me about ollas. Of course, I think a membership in @mnhort is a great gift for the gardener who wants ideas rather than things. Link to blog post with full list in bio.
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#giftsforgardeners #gardengifts #containertomatoes #olla #waterwisegardening #supportmnhort #mynortherngarden #gardenblogger
Instagram post 2195418924718369831_1447832097 Trimming the sideboard with holiday fun, including this homey sign from @wonderandtwine and my thrifted snowman cookie jar. It’s beginning to look a lot like . . . .
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#mnmakers #christmastreedecor #cookiejar #holidaydecor
Instagram post 2194708592047924174_1447832097 Holiday decor requires some houseplants to vacate the living room and hang out on top of the dog kennel for a few weeks. Nice sun in this spot and a seasonal runner made by my sister. Ho-ho-ho. .
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#mynortherngarden #houseplants #holidaydecor #makingroomforchristmas #makingroomforchristmastree
Instagram post 2193186352189896285_1447832097 Dog hides from winter under office chair. .
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#officedog #workfromhome #walktime #hernamewaslola #gardenwriter #freelancelife #dachshundmix #dachshundsofinstagram
Instagram post 2190808837592766596_1447832097 This book from the amazing @homesteadbrooklyn and two others reviewed on the blog today. Link in bio. All address our divorce from nature and how/why to reconnect. Good reading for winter. .
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#howtocatchamole #howtocatchamoleandfindyourselfinnature @greystonebooks #markhamer #moles #houseplants #millenialsloveplants #gardenreading #gardenbooks #nature #theartistsgarden #gardensinspireart #artistsandtheirgardens #gardenblogger #reviewonblog #mynortherngarden
Instagram post 2186530642328682344_1447832097 Even in a snow hat, the gray-haired clematis looks good. .
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#alphinabluedancer #bluedancerclematis clematis #donahuesclematis #winterinterest #mynortherngarden #northerngardener #minnesnowta #thanksgivingsnow
Instagram post 2186443825478771999_1447832097 After needing to be carried outside to do her business, Lola settles in for the snow day. .
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#minnesnowta #dogsofinstagram #hernamewaslola #dogshaming #shortlegs #snowstorm #dachshundmix
Instagram post 2183797691195279982_1447832097 Thank you, @mnhort and @fleur_de_louise_flower_studio for this stunning door swag. Love the wheat and ribbon!! .
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#mnhort #holidaydecor #doorswag #doordecor #itsbeginningtolookalotlikechristmas  #mnmaker
Instagram post 2183063749567501424_1447832097 Box of books✅
Author poster✅
Homemade butter caramels to lure shoppers ✅✅
I’m ready for tomorrow’s @mnhort Holiday Open House. If you are near Rosedale Center, the office is just west at 1935 County Rd B2. Vendors, a chance to make a fun door swag and  a once a year deal on gift memberships in MSHS. I’d love to see you there.
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#mnmakers #holidayshopping #shoplocal #authorlife #gardenwriter #coldclimategardener #mngarden #gardenbook
Instagram post 2179533207471514301_1447832097 Thanksgiving centerpiece—done! Thanks to @fleur_de_louise_flower_studio and @mnhort class at @badweatherbrew  tonight. Great instruction and idea. .
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#mnflorist #holidaydecor #centerpiecesideas #mnhort #makeandtakeclasses #decorating #falldecor
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