What a Difference a Day Makes!

Snow in the Pacific Northwest in February isn't totally rare, but usually by February, signs of Spring start popping up, and we get some sunny warm days where I can plant peas.

This year, we had a two week cold front that came through the last two weeks of February, where the temperature dropped, the ice began to advance on the lake, and we were dumped on with snow two separate times.

After the second snow storm, we had accumulated about 8" of snow.

Ron took the tractor out and cleared the driveway so that we could all get out, as the snow seemed to be concentrated at the 500' level where we are located.  Once we got out on the main roads, there was little or no snow.

The gravel is going to need some rearranging when this is all over, but we weren't stuck at home.

Since it was time to plant my garden, I dug out the plastic containers I've been hoarding and started some seeds on my dining room table.

The apple containers are perfect for the larger seeds.  I can label them with a magic marker.

The peas are already popping up - I planted them on February 25, so it took just 4 days for them to get started.  When they get too tall for the container to be closed, I'll cut the top off and discard it and let the peas continue to grow until the ground is ready for them to be planted outside. Before planting them in the ground, I will move them outside to harden them off on sunny days. The roots become more and more visible through the plastic, and they come out of the container easily when it's time to plant. I'm always looking for ways to extend my growing season, and these containers are the best. (And they're free!)

March 1 - the only snow remaining is what we shoveled off the patio and the snow that slid off the roof.  It feels and smells like Spring outside and we're ready!