It’s spring, y’all, and here in Georgia, we are evidently high achievers because we’ve had record-breaking high temps and record-breaking high pollen counts, even before spring officially sprung! We’re already having to mow the lawn, too, or else Lacy the WonderDog will get lost out there in the tall grass (and weeds).
The other day, I saw a something I’d never seen before, and it took me a minute to figure out what exactly it was: a HUGE yellow cloud of pollen swirling and floating at about treeline height. Makes my eyes water just thinking about it.
A tweet from our local weather guy this morning explains why I won’t be working in my yard today after all!
Despite all that, I still love the newness of spring.
Blossoming dogwood trees…
I enjoy all the birds in our yard, but sometimes in the spring our mockingbird boys (like this one) get kind of crazy if they don’t find a mate. Right now, he’s being a normal bird, so we’re still friends at the moment.
We can’t seem to keep insects and things off this peach tree, but this is the Peach State, so I really want to figure out how to get it healthy. It’s blossoms are soooo pretty!
A friend gave me an itty bitty baby maple tree a few years ago, and I’ve managed to keep it alive! This year, it’s even branched out, which is exciting! I think I’ll have to plant it in the ground by this fall. (Lacy is in the window there, wanting to be in the front yard with me!)
One of my first irises of the year. I’ve had these purple ones for a long time, originally from my grandmother’s garden, then in my mom’s, and finally to me. I love having plants with sentimental meaning, passed down for generations. Since these need to be thinned out every other year or so, I can share them with friends, too.
We had only huge ugly yellow pines (which tend to fall on houses in our typical thunderstormy spring weather and icy winter weather), so we cut those nearly as soon as we moved in seven years ago, and began planting other trees, like this silver maple that has grown nearly as tall as our house already! I’m still fascinated by the “helicopters” it makes before the leaves come out.
My redbud tree is blooming! It’s still young, but survived several years of drought and seems to be well-established now.
This is a close-up of one of my newest trees, a young Southern Magnolia, but what I was really photographing here is the coating of pine tree pollen. See? Those leaves are suppose to be glossy green — not yellow — but everything in Georgia this time of year is coated in gross pine pollen, even other plants and trees!
Full disclosure: my veggie garden spot currently looks like this. Pathetic, I know… but I’m tackling it soon!
** I’m linking up with Jami’s “Garden Party” at An Oregon Cottage! Join me there?
(And don’t miss my fun giveaway in yesterday’s post!!)
Hi! I’m stopping by from the Garden Party link-up. Our pollen count is terrible too, as our trees are just popping out new growth all over. It’s so pretty outside, though! Your pictures are gorgeous. All we’ve done is start seedlings, but I’m ready to get my raised bed prepped for planting.
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My beds looked just like yours yesterday! I got most of them cleaned out, but too many seeds and tiny roots, I’m going to have to treat, eventhough I really dont’ want to.
Jenny recently posted..Tuesday Garden Party 2012 #1
Your trees look beautiful. I’m not sure i could handle your crazy pollen though!
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Thank you for sharing it with us…a good way to start spring
Wow–I sure hope you don’t have allergies–what a pollen count! I love all your pictures. What beautiful blossoms on the dogwood and redbud–lovely. For your peach tree, you might want to email or call your local Master Gardeners at the County Extension office. They are usually up on all the problems that local plants have at certain times of the year, and they may be able to offer help with your tree. Otherwise, try one of the peach farmers, if there are any nearby–surely they would have come across what is going on with your tree.
Athena at Minerva’s Garden recently posted..Flowers And Pruning!
Athena,
I do have allergies, so I’m thankful for a husband who does most of the hard yard work! I do need to check with Master Gardeners; that’s a great idea!
Beautiful photos! Yes, spring has really sprung in GA – waaay too earlier!
Spring is really just around and we are all excited for it…We will do a lot of cleaning again…
Ma.Dhares recently posted..Chamonix Accommodation
So so pretty! You are far ahead of us here in the southern Willamette Valley of Oregon. I awoke to three or more inches of snow. Enjoy your spring!
Looks so beautiful Jamie! You are so far ahead of us it is crazy. It is nice to see a glimpse of what is to come our way in the next six weeks….so what are you planting in your garden boxes?
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Thankfully, those boxes are a little bit more tame now, but I have to get the soil ready. As soon as I can see through the fog of yellow! Other than tomatoes and peppers, I’m not sure yet what we’ll plant. Sometimes we just try something that looks exciting or sparks an interest for the girls; doesn’t always grow well, but we try it anyway!
These look really beautiful Jamie! I really don’t know how to say it but these are all awesome! …Enjoy spring!
I love spring! It is just such a heavenly season, a season of hope and renewal. I can feel my soul sing in spring. I just hope this unusually warm weather here in the Northeast doesn’t rush spring along too fast. I love to savor spring, where every morning I check to see if something else is starting to bloom. When it’s too warm too fast, everything seems to bloom at once and then it’s over in the blink of an eye. Thank you so much for your gorgeous photos of spring’s amazing gifts!
Love the photos! Spring is so pretty in GA…especially since it comes early most years. My flower beds looked like your garden area until last weekend…I have a few more spots to troubleshoot, but I was waiting on some more rain to make it easier to get out the roots. Happy Spring!