One of the reasons I was motivated to move was to be in a climate that allowed me to garden for a longer season than what we are given in Maine. I knew this corner of France was a much milder climate and so far I have been in my garden every month save January. Just the fact that I installed window boxes with live plants in December felt like a luxury.

I think I”m starting to understand the hoopla about Spring. For many years I would roll my eyes when people said Spring was their favorite season. I couldn’t understand why so many poems and songs were written about the wonders of Spring. I think I’m beginning to understand. See Spring in Maine is akin to dropping a bag of rocks on the ground in one fell swoop and then it’s July. Literally we see a few crocuses and within three weeks, it is hot, we are lighting sparklers and we can’t keep up with our lawn mowing.

I’m finding in other places, Spring can be a pleasant, teasing season. Flowers started to bloom along my walk in January. The daffodils in front of my house where they get full sun were blooming before Valentine’s Day. Now, in the midst of February, I have primroses, daffodils, and pulmoneria in full bloom. I have already mowed my lawn and have gathered wild flowers for vases around my house.

The temperatures are not hot by any means but I am comfortable on sunny days in just a t shirt or sweatshirt. The air is starting to smell sweet with new growth and the trees are budding. I think I am finally falling in love with this season. It is filled with promise but it isn’t given all at once so it does leave you wanting. It feels like Mother Nature is giving giving me lengthening previews of what’s to come and I am eagerly following her lead. I have planted my pots with primula, viola, pansy and hellebore. I have purchased two comfy lawn chairs from which I can watch my garden come alive.

Now I can sit back and watch things pop up. My garden has more bulbs than I have ever had before and I’ve heard their are tons of English Blue Bells. Tonight in the garden watching the sunset I think I felt my first full flush of Spring fever. Or perhaps just another hot flash… Either way….