Lack of snow means early start for Spring Fever!

Not so fast! When the winter slows to a standstill and we get bumped out of the storm cycle, it can make winter fell like its on its way out. While I know there will be more snow and cold I find myself browsing magazines and landscape books wondering what it would belike to live in an area with a longer landscape season. But alas, I can never think of any place Id rather be. Yes our growing season is pretty short, yes our hardiness rating is 4-5, yes we live in NW Montana!! But every year the winter seems unique, the spring continues to amaze me with plantlife that only weeks before looked hopeless, the summer delivers warmth, and the fall colors are surreal.
The winter has us in a holding pattern but soon a late season snow storm will throw us right back into a snowy scramble. Then like magic the robins will return, the bulbs will start shooting up, the piles of snow will get smaller and smaller. So enjoy the last half of winter and soon enough it will be time to plan those gardens, dust off those tools and find your gloves.