Wondering Where April Went

There's a few days left in April according to the calendar, and the low temps and freeze warning the local newscast is giving me right now certainly make it feel like April, but my garden does not look like April.  Though I do think this little cold snap and 3 days of rain have helped the tulips last a little longer:

Because this does not look like an April garden:

 

This is the same garden on April 30, 2009.  Now some of the difference can be attributed to a year's worth of maturity for the day-lilies, irises, and grasses, but once again, we're clearly running a few weeks ahead of schedule:

I especially like how much the ivy on the fence has grown and that the hydrangea is clearly visible at the corner of the house now.  I posted this photo of the Ichiban eggplant on Twitter earlier today with a note saying perhaps I should have brought it in last night.  Don't worry, it perked back up during the day:

 

The other item of concern when I walked outside this morning...apparently the high winds and wet ground dislodged my paper-clip stakes and the pea netting was all over the place:

 

I figured there was no point trying to stake it down again while the wind was still going crazy and the ground was soaked, so that's item one for Thursday's to do list.  There's so much I want to get done over the next 4 days in the garden.  Expect many photos and updates.

Comments

[Sylvana]

We are definitely ahead of schedule. I looked back a few years and I have never had my tulips blooming so early!

I did this to my eggplants last year. It's funny how they spring right back into shape once they warm up.

[mummer]

Really weird weather all over the U.S. The last time Southwest Florida hit 90 degrees was fully 6 months ago - right now at 10 am it's 68 degrees.
Great weather for tree trimming but our garden tropicals (and our fish) are shivering!

[Heather's Garden]

Sylvana -- Those eggplants are amazing. I carefully separated them today and planted them in their home for the summer and after that abuse you'd expect them to flop over, but they're doing great.

Mom -- I wonder if it was warmer in CT or FL today?