February 2024
Pacific Northwest
Some parts of the country are well into spring while others are still under snow. Here in the maritime Pacific Northwest we’re somewhere in between.
Most of our greens at this season are the evergreen type, whether terrestrial or aquatic. Washington is called the Evergreen State for a reason: our conifers blanket much of the western half of the state. But all the greens brighten up considerably at this time of year, with the sun intensifying as we climb out of winter toward the equinox.
The ocean here is sometimes called the Emerald Sea for the various shades of green it has throughout the year. In spring and summer it’s phytoplankton giving it a murky green while in fall and winter it’s “colored dissolved organic matter” (CDOM) from decaying detritus, mostly what runs off the land. CDOM green is translucent and in early spring when the sun starts rising higher in the sky but before the plankton takes off, the nearshore ocean waters are jewel-like.
As is the iridescence of some drake ducks.
Our mosses and ferns stay green throughout the damp season, from October to May usually. Cold doesn’t faze them. It’s summer drought that makes them sad, brown and crispy.
In the backyard, there are a few early spring signs, various shades of green.
Except the cotoneasters. They got hit hard by the deep freeze in January. The foliage on all of them has turned a sickly grey-green and it’s falling off. Maybe the plants weren’t totally killed and fresh foliage will replace it. I may have to cut the shrubs way back though. That would be too bad.
But the other perennials came through the freeze just fine, from what I can tell so far.
And my tomato and pepper seedlings are coming along nicely, even if they need supplemental light and the warmth of seed starting mats for now. Planting veg seed outdoors will have to wait for another month for the very earliest (snow peas, lettuce, spinach), 2-3 months for most. Soil temp is currently 42°.
Spring greenery …. things are waking up for the new season.
🌱
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Overcast, scattered showers. Light NE breeze in the PNW islands. Temps in upper 30s.
WHAT’S UP IN NATURE IN YOUR AREA TODAY?