I had hoped the Weather Service would say something about our April temperatures.

March was one of the warmest and THE warmest for some locations.

April news was that the 1/2" precipitation was less than half of normal. I guess I should be pleased that some of that fell as snow -- indicating that our April temperatures were closer to normal. Still, the lilacs are earlier than normal.

Pretty picture, Jali'!

Steve

where there was frost on the roofs again this morning

Digit,

They're beautiful! Things are way early here, too. I don't usually see leaf out on deciduous trees and shrubs at my place till mid to late May and most everything has already leafed out. I know the suburban and city dwellers plants leaf earlier, I'm guessing due to the heat island effect or generally milder conditions.

A few of the oaks and Kentucky coffee tree are the exception, buds extending but still not leafed yet, but these are usually the latest trees here.

One other thing I've noticed are flies. They're already out and about. It's early for them, too. I wish they'd have waited!

Sorry Jali, I meant your spirea, not digit's!

I agree wholeheartedly about the flies, Barb! And the wasps are arriving early as well. Blech!

Honestly, Digit, we should be seeing frost on the roofs once in awhile around here, but not for a couple of weeks. Our lows have been in the upper 30s and lower 40s. I caution my friends not to get to anxious because it can change so quickly.

The trees are not leafing out much, here on the prairie, yet, and we are already seeing some of the damage from the November deep freeze. I lost a Forsythia (no tears from me -- now I can find a pretty shrub but I hate to lose a plant that way).

Early as it is, I'm just tickled to see the spirea ready to explode with blooms. I've always had a deep affection for the dainty flowers since I was a little girl.

Interesting post jali. I've noticed as well this year that everything seemed early. From the first yarrow in February to the blooms on my plum tree and leaves on my grapes and oak: everything is ahead of schedule.

Only 30 more days to sweat that late freeze killing the buds on fruiting trees. Alas, even if it hits it's not going to touch my annual and perennial weeds which are also well on their ways.

Here's to 30 or more days and we can all breathe a sigh of relief, David. Of course the weeds can deal with it! They are survivors and thrivers, unfortunately.