The long Spring

I kicked the Jade plants out of the house this week. I got tired of them dropping leaves and hanging over my shoulder here in the office. I stuck one in the old gazebo and the other on the porch, because they're too big to fit back in the basement stairwell.  Next fall they might have to look for a new bigger home.  

This probably sounds early to turn out the houseplants, but by March, the chances of low-level snow and below freezing temperatures really drop.

Astronomical spring is from March 20/21 to June 20/21. But meteorological/biological spring differs from astronomical spring.  Here in Seattle, spring arrives early and leaves late.  The temperature rises slowly over a long period of time.

Flowers are blooming everywhere, weeds are growing, and the grass is getting high.  Since June is often cloudy and cool, our summer weather usually starts in about July.  That's a Spring season of about four and a half months.

Speaking of weather, our new whirligig thing from Costco got a workout yesterday. This picture does not do it justice. I think it's mesmerizing when it twirls, but then we are simple folks here, and easily entertained.

The wind was strong enough to blow over big pots and chairs in the yard.  I was a little worried about my new cypress trees, but they are sheltered up against The Great Wall of West Seattle.  So far, so good.  They aren't growing yet of course, but no signs of transplanting shock, etc.