Mud Season: Where Is It?

– Posted in: Mud Season
14 comments

. . . one has begun to search for signs of spring almost since January, and to receive them, like postcards sent on a long voyage to home ~A Year at North Hill

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the ground . . .

Snow covered ground in March

Still a lot of snow on the ground, but no longer any on the driveway. That's progress!

is still covered in snow. At sunrise this morning, it was -1F (-18C). I can’t say I’m surprised. In my mind, I think of the snow being gone by mid-March. To verify my recollections, I combed through the extensive Purdyville image archives, looking for the first photo that showed the ground free of snow. My very unscientific research yielded the following results:

  • 11 March 2004
  • 28 March 2005
  • 11 March 2006
  • 23 March 2007
  • 16 March 2008
  • 8 March 2009
  • 15 March 2010

So, the answer is, mud season is where it’s supposed to be, right around the corner, almost here. As expected, the snowdrops are still buried.

snowdrops still covered in snow

No, I am not digging through the snow to see if they've sprouted.

(So far, no sign of thermogenesis.) But, at the southern-exposed intersection of driveway and road, “the postcards from afar” have begun arriving:
First Crocus Sprouts

These are crocus leaves emerging

About the Author

Kathy Purdy is a colchicum evangelist, converting unsuspecting gardeners into colchicophiles. She gardens in rural upstate NY, which used to be USDA Hardiness Zone 4 but is now Zone 5. Kathy’s been writing since 4th grade, gardening since high school, and blogging since 2002. Find her on Instagram as kopurdy.

Now, the digging and dividing of perennials, the general autumn cleanup and the planting of spring bulbs are all an act of faith. One carries on before the altar of delayed gratification, until the ground freezes and you can’t do any more other than refill the bird feeder and gaze through the window, waiting for the snow. . . . Meanwhile, it helps to think of yourself as a pear tree or a tulip. You will blossom spectacularly in the spring, but only after the required period of chilling.

~Adrian Higgins in The Washington Post, November 6, 2013

Comments on this entry are closed.

Les March 4, 2011, 3:47 pm

At this point, I am hoping snow is something I will only see on other people’s blogs.

(I do like the fog photo at the top of the page!)

Kathy Purdy March 4, 2011, 8:30 pm

For someone who lives in such a different climate, you’re a pretty faithful commenter. Thank you for that, Les.

Ilona March 4, 2011, 12:23 pm

Yes, it has been quite a winter to remember- our own winter of “the Big Snow”

Deborah March 4, 2011, 12:10 pm

Here on a mountain ridge near Oneonta, our snow piles look as deep as yours. When I slip off the well trod path used for dog walks, I’m still plunging into snow up to my knees. No evidence anywhere of bulb tips, but our chickens have started laying, which is a good sign of spring for us. I got 3 eggs yesterday and 3 the day before, which is darn good from 4 chickens nearly 6 years old!

Kathy Purdy March 4, 2011, 2:02 pm

You’re right, most people don’t consider 6 year old chickens productive.

Leslie March 4, 2011, 10:18 am

That is a lot of snow still on the hill! I hope mud season passes quickly for you.

Donna March 4, 2011, 9:33 am

I know I saw bulbs growing in January when we had the quick thaw but like you we are not going to see anything for a while…I keep hoping the next weekend, the next weekend…

Carolyn @ Carolyn's Shade Gardens March 3, 2011, 9:01 pm

Kathy, Thanks so much for linking to my Are Snowdrops Thermogenic? post. Readers have been sending me various research on the matter but nothing definitive yet. Our snow melted last week, although we could still get more. I will send warm thoughts your way. Carolyn

Craig @ Ellis Hollow March 3, 2011, 8:36 pm

There are some daffs poking up along the edge of south-facing buildings on campus. But my early-showing bulbs still have a foot of snow on top of them. Driveway still has some serious ice in places. Maybe we’ll see some serious ground by next weekend?

Gail March 3, 2011, 8:14 pm

It’s muddy here, but, I think your mud season is entirely different from ours! I can only imagine~gail

Robin Ripley March 3, 2011, 6:29 pm

I hear other far northerners talking about mud season and am grateful that’s not a regular event here. Don’t get me wrong. There have definitely been muddy years. But it’s not something I must plan for or can count on. Now, ask me about mosquito season.

Layanee March 3, 2011, 5:22 pm

I will have to go out back to the skunk cabbage patch to see if there are any circles in the snow. It will be a trek through some still deep patches though. I have not little crocus showing yet but I am waiting, not so patiently.

Nancy March 3, 2011, 3:29 pm

Hooray! Postcards from Spring, indeed!

Frances March 3, 2011, 3:16 pm

I am so happy for you, bulb tips are a very fine postcard indeed! Love your record keeping abilities, too. Photos tell a thousand words, or at least when the snow has melted off the driveway. 🙂