It Is Over

[SunnyFl]

Looking at the Accuweather extended forecast through 3/25 for our area, I only see overnight lows in the 60's and upper 50's, the best lows you could ask for. No 30's & 40's. Since the forecast goes almost out to the end of March, this would appear to be the long-awaited end of the dark days of winter.

Finally.

We are soon to return to Daylight Savings Time, the wonderful long afternoons when we have more daylight in which to tend our battered gardens. The weekend promises perfect weather in which to work on outdoor projects.

A new beginning.

Like others, I've lost so much in the garden that I'll be starting over pretty much from scratch. Although it's wrenching to lose some of the cherished favorites, it's time to balance that against the opportunity to plan a better layout - the last one sucked - and look forward to new favorites.

You won the last round, Old Man Winter - but you WON'T win the next one!

On a personal note: I just got okayed to start walking a bit for the 1st time in 2 months. It's pretty difficult, but it means that FINALLY I can work in the yard this weekend. Just a little but it's a start.

[Zeeth]

Finally... I was able to go to the beach for the first time in months (unfortunately, I lost a lot of tan in those months, so I got viscously sunburned where normally I would have been fine)

Time to count my losses, try and help plants recover from spear pull and plant more plants! I've decided that since there are no coconuts on the shore of Anna Maria island, I would help out and go plant one on the secluded beach I found a while back. It'll be interesting to see how it fares.

[floridasun]

i saw a coconut at sebastian inlet state park growing right on the dune, it had some trunk on it and had a large crown, on the gulf they would would probably do better right on the beach, but on the atlantic its to breezy.

[junglegalfla]

Sunny,

I'm in the same boat. I lost a ton. I've been sick about it the last couple of months. Didn't want to spend any time out in the garden and had felt as though maybe my gardening obsession was waning. Now that the warmer temps have arrived, I'm feeling that familiar tug at my heartstrings to get my hands dirty. It's a welcomed feeling. I'm looking forward to rearranging and planting this spring.

[Steve the palmreader]

We still have April. with all this global warming it could get real cold : Daytona beach has had freezing temps on april 14 or 15

[Kim]

Glad to hear our Florida friends are getting a break, finally! Winter can be so cruel, but spring can bring renewal to the spirit as well as to the garden.

[gsytch]

Not only is winter over, but a surprising heavy rain came through today. As of 6pm, I have over 4" of rain just from this afternoon and more is predicted tomorrow. Ya think things will grow now? I am also planning a smarter layout, and while I am NOT going TROPICAL, I am working on a happy medium. I've noticed those new KNockout Roses doing well in the area plantings, so perhaps they can work as fillers. Camellias, Gardenias, etc...in between some smarter choices. Of course, next year will probably be a HOT winter! BUt, then I can tend plants growing not worried if they might get zapped. Overall, my Bromeliads are coming back well, too. Their damage was surprisingly moderate. The palms, not so much, but I will be planting smarter!!!! Greg and yes, my bug has bitten again..

[gsn]

I guess it's all relative, but I see nothing in the 5 to 10 day forecast that is even close to NORMAL for the middle of March in central Florida. Definately not going to be frigid COLD, but not anything close to average temps for mid March here in the forecast.

All nights for both NWS and Weather.com are forecast in the low 50's for the next 5 to 10 nights,and mid to high 60's and LOW 70's for the days highs!

Hardly the warmth we are used to this time of year, but better than freezing and lows in the 30's I guess, but expectations are so low after this winter, I guess we are all feeling a little GIDDY...just sayin!

[Jimbean]

Old man winter was being a real this year!

[Jimbean]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnHksDFHTQI&feature=channel_page&fmt=18

[Jimbean]

http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/currentweatherusnational/uscurrenttemperatures_large.html?clip=undefined&region=undefined&collection=localwxforecast&presname=undefined

It is getting warmer throughout the Eastern U.S.

[velutina]

Accuweather is anything but accurate (in my area at least).

[gsytch]

Despite "warmer" weather of late, it is still way below normal. Yesterday was beautiful, in the 70's, under clear skies, but it was 47F at wake up! Last week did not hit 70F Mon-Thur, and Fri sneaked in 70F. I mean, the averages are upper 70's/upper 50's and we have not had a "normal" day in......so long I cannot remember. I also found it interesting it was warmer in Newark NJ Fri than in Tampa! And....while it was 70F in Portland ME, north of Dallas near the OK line received 1 1/2 in of snow!

Now, since it is officially 'SPRING' maybe we can hit 80F one of these days? My yard still looks so nasty, and it was so chilly in the evenings this past week, I watered a little and not much more. Lived here since the 80's and nothing has come close - but it is raining today which is nice. Greg in New Port Richey feeling the rumbles of thunder and the pitter patter of rains on the roof..

[spockvr6]

Despite "warmer" weather of late, it is still way below normal.

Greg-

I checked my weather station data for 2010 and so far this year we are running 8.0F below normal for average temp! That is a huge number and every month has shwon this trend.

Our Spring so far has been all but non-existent. While this time of year should bring plenty of days in the upper 70's / low 80's, they are few and far between. I find when I go outside and its in the middle 60's, I actually feel warm! Such have our bodies been "recalibrated" to this new normal.

I suppose in a few months we shall have forgotten this winter (or perhaps that is wishful thinking looking at local foliage), but I sure wouldnt mind some sweaty days.

[Tampa Scott]

The Fox news reported this morning that Tampa had its second coldest winter season on record at 56.2f avg. Coldest was 1978 at 55.6f. Also reported that this winter avg temp was equal to Lexington Ky avg winter.