Finally, it is officially Spring!

I realize many parts of the country have been experiencing above average temperatures and unseasonably beautiful weather for weeks, we here in the Pacific Northwest have not. There has been more snow in the forecast the last few weeks than all of winter. It’s been cold and rainy…very rainy. So it is with some measure of glee that we get to officially enter the magical season of springtime, if only because that’s what the calendar says.

The following pictures were taken at our corner gas station last Saturday. In Oregon you don’t pump your own gas, yes it’s a little silly, but wonderful too especially on a cold rainy night. As I waited for the tank to fill a small collection of plants against the window wall of the convenience store part of the station caught my eye. Normally I have a negative reaction to a rag tag collection of houseplants shoved up against a window, I find it rather depressing. Something about this group seemed different and I had to go investigate.

The station was little more than a cash office up until a couple of years ago. They remodeled, added the convenience store, and now it has a sleek corporate feel. The plants didn’t seem to fit in. This is the best part…

Seeds had been planted in cut-down paper cups, and they were so happy in the bright sun of the window. The day had been predicted to be stormy and grey, but the sun was shining instead. I don’t know one seedling from the next but something about these told me they might be peppers. What do you think? I asked the man behind the counter but he had no idea, I’d have to ask “the lady” when she was back on Monday (I think the “the lady” is his wife).

There were also a couple of very tall Epiphyllum (I think)?

And this beauty in the corner…

Discovering this little slice of plant goodness makes me want to frequent this gas station above all others!

Back to the subject of Spring…for most gardeners (at least those of us in the north) we come alive at this time of the year. The lengthening days and warming soil is our call to action…so many things to see and do, no time to be wasted. I started to wonder how many gardeners would claim this as their favorite season. I’m always surprised when I hear gardeners say Fall is their favorite, if it were followed directly by Spring then I wouldn’t mind it, it’s just the fact that Winter comes next that I can’t get over. Summer though; Summer is what it’s all about for me…doors and windows open, warm evenings, the garden at its happiest. Of course if I lived in Austin, TX, I'm sure I would feel different.

So I’m asking, what’s your favorite season? Please comment and let me know, even better give me the break down. What’s number 1? 2, 3 and 4? Here is my list to get things started, not that you didn’t already know…

#1 Summer!
#2 Spring
#3 Fall
#4 Winter