February skirted in on the frosty and frayed tails of January’s overcoat at the very moment she shrugged and shred the bulky garment for milder temperatures.  The groundhog predicts an early Spring, which is certainly subject to change, but there is a glimmer of hope, an inclination that the season of renewal is not so very distant.  The distinct and dulcet tones of the bird song.

Winter birds, like Chickadees, Woodpeckers and Cardinals are some of the first to announce Spring’s arrival. According to John Hanson Mitchell, an Editor with the Massachusetts Audubon Society, “the changing light has a hormonal trigger that starts the birdsong.” Apparently, our feathered friends have photoreceptors in their brains that record the length of darkness each day. As the darkness shortens, and days lengthen, birds, just like humans, get Spring fever. So the promise of Spring is real. Nature says so, and I’m inclined to believe she knows what she’s talking about.

It’s never too early to start thinking and planning for Spring. Reach out to Sweeney’s to schedule your Spring Clean Ups, Mowing and Maintenance Services, and any and all of your Spring gardening projects!

Plant of the Week

Cardinal Songbird Columbine

Clusters of large, showy rosy-red and white bi-colored flowers bloom on sturdy stems amongst bluish-green foliage April – May.  Prefers sun to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 12-18″ tall and 12-18″ wide.  Although short lived, plants will self-sow.  Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.  Deer and rabbit resistant.

“Welcome, welcome, little stranger,

Fear no harm, and fear no danger;

We are glad to see you here,

For you sing, “Sweet Spring is near.”

-Louisa May Alcott

Warm wishes,

Kim Sweeney