Early February Snow
The weather has been very erratic this winter. Today we're expecting a mix of sun and clouds with gusty winds developing in the afternoon. Yesterday, we had almost no wind, temperatures in the high 40s, and a fresh three-inch coating of light, fluffy snow.
After this latest snowfall, I was out early, before 6am, to plow the four miles of carriage road that meander through my property. The snow stuck to everything - the tree branches, the fences, and all the burlap-covered urns and boxwood shrubs. By afternoon, some of it had melted as temperatures climbed into the high 40s. We're expecting more precipitation in a couple of days and cold, freezing temperatures next week - winter is not going anywhere just yet.
Here are some of the latest snow shots, enjoy.
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- It was cloudy most of the day, but the sun was there peeking through the clouds.
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- This snow was quite light and fluffy. This type of snow is caused by colder temperatures leading to less moisture in the air.
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- Here’s the front of my stable before equine hooves walked through the courtyard.
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- The snow outlined the drainage grates perfectly.
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- Here is one of three Blue Atlas Cedars sent by a devotee this summer. It is planted in the north end of my living maze.
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- And look at this mature azalea. In spring, it is filled with bright pink blooms – now, its branch tips are white with snow.
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- Azaleas go dormant during winter, allowing them to tolerate the colder temperatures more easily.
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- Here is the sunken garden behind my Summer House – it looks so different in winter. This snow system covered the burlap almost completely. I’m thankful the snow was light and did not weigh anything down on my precious boxwood underneath.
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- These apple trees are original to the farm. I call them my “ancient” apples. They still produce an abundance of fruit in the fall.
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- And here is my half-acre vegetable garden now in slumber.
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- The privets are holding strong this winter. They do not need any added protection. In fact, they serve as a strong windbreak for other more sensitive evergreens in my maze.
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- All the evergreens in this maze are doing well. I am looking forward to planting more rows come spring.
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- Watching all the activity – my handsome peacock. This is one of my “blue boys” perched on the fence top – he has quite a view.
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- After it snows, my crew sweeps the snow off the burlap that covers most of the boxwood here at the farm. This time of year, I am very relieved the hedges and shrubs are protected. Heavy snow could splay the branches.
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- Tracks in the snow – I wonder what kind of feathered friend made these.
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- This corn crib has been here since I purchased the farm. Located near my Winter House and long pergola, it’s become a favorite photo for guests. The allée of lindens runs perpendicular to the Boxwood Allée that leads to my stable. The snow also piled on the 100-year old white spruce fencing I purchased in Canada.
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- My donkeys, Truman “TJ” Junior and Jude “JJ” Junior don’t seem to mind the winter weather at all. Here they are snacking on hay at the manger.
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- And here are my big gorgeous Friesians, Hylke and Geert. They would always choose time in the great outdoors regardless of the season.
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- This is my snow-covered stone yard, a place where extra inventory of the many types of stones used at the farm are kept – slate shingles, marble flooring, granite posts, etc.
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- The snow clearly marks the rooftops of all my chicken coops.
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- Nearby are the young boxwood shrubs in what I call the “nursery.” These small shrubs were planted as bare root cuttings. Now they are about a foot tall and just as wide. I will nurture them for several years before transplanting them to their more permanent locations.
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- Hard to miss the stand of eastern white pine trees, Pinus strobus. They can be seen from many vantage points at the farm. A lot of snow had melted by afternoon. Let’s see what the next storm brings.
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