Küünlakuu sula

Alanud küünlakuu tõi leevendust juba üle kahe nädala kestnud külmalainele. Ega see külm nii hull polnudki, ainult lund oli vähevõitu. Eelmiste talvede rekordid -30 kraadi kanti on veel olemata ja ehk jäävadki tulemata. Kuu loomine muutis ilma, keeras tuule lõunasse ning tõi kaasa küünlapäeval jäävihma. Täna on Tallinnas sula ja kuigi paariks päevaks lubatakse veidi madalamaid temperatuure, tuleb sulailm tulevaks nädalalõpuks tagasi.

Igal juhul tundub, et pikenev päev ja leebunud talveilm on nii mõnedki aednikud pannud mõtlema kevadele. Juttu on juba nii seemnetest-taimedest, kataloogidest, tellimistest kui paljust muust sellejuurde kuuluvast. Inglismaal on alanud lumikellukese hooaeg ning galanthofiilid jahivad uusimaid sorte ning kergitavad oksjonirekordeid. Raske on ette kujutada, et keegi võiks üle 700 naela käia välja ühe ainsa väikse sibulakese eest. Aga seda tehakse. Antud summaga tehing tehti küll juba paar aastat tagasi.

Isekeskis mõtlen, et võiks ka endal aias olla mõni lumikellukese sort. Ma tean, et see võib olla sõrme ulatamine kuradile, sest galathofiilia ei ole kerge haigus, kuid sellegi poolest! Aga võta näpust, kõik sordilumikelluked on müügil "in green" ja kuidas sa neid keset talve ikka ostad. Või siiski? Kas meie seas on juba "langenuid", kel nõksud sellisteks puhkudeks selged?

Lumikellukesed 2004. aastal, üks minu esimesi digipilte üldse/ Galanthus nivalis in April 2004

Summary: First Days of February

February arrived with a relief to cold spell that had haunted us for weeks. It's a first thaw since January 12th. Actually the cold wasn't that bad, the only concern was bit modest snow cover in southern part of Estonia, where our garden lays. Cold records from previous winters (which were down to - 30'C and even more in some places) are jet to beat but hopefully it won't happen at all. Forecasts are rather mild for February but referring to last winter, March was the coldest month. So anything could happen!

However, some upturn can be noticed in gardening blogs too. Many of us are already thinking (and dreaming also!) of arriving spring, seeds and plants to be sown and planted. There are already talks about catalogues and first plant orders. In England, snowdrop season is getting in its high peak and galanthophiles are in their prime.  

It makes me think that it would be lovely to have some snowdrop cultivars in my garden as well. I know it's a very thin ice (to be infected with galanthophilia) but nonetheless! Besides non-existing deep pockets of money, only one problem reminds- how can a order them 'in green' in the middle of winter here. It seems like cultivars are only sold 'in green'. Well, I need to figure it out.

On my picture above, there is Galanthus nivalis from year 2004. It is obvious we won't have any snowdrops at least for month or two! It is also one of my first digital photographs. Not that bad, I think.