This 80-degree weather the Oak Lawn area has experienced may be joyful for you sun worshippers out there, but for gardeners like me this trouble.Due to the warm weather all my spring bulbs and flowering trees are about 5 weeks ahead of schedule. That means a big show now and nothing in in late April WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PUTTING ON THEIR SHOW!!!
Usually April is cool and wet perfect for tulips and daffodils, but because of this hot dry weather none of the blooms will last long.The blooms last much longer in that climate. Now when April comes these flowers are gone for the year. Even my late season tulips which bloom the first two weeks of May look like they will be ready way ahead of schedule. The magnolia trees are in full bloom A huge rain or wind storm and whoops--wait till next year.
I don't want to feed my roses for fear of getting luscious growth that could be killed by a late spring frost. Remember frost can occur in the Chicago area as late May 10th. I hope you enjoy the early spring/summer. Just remember that in late April when you wonder where are all the pretty spring flowers, they already went south for the winter.
