Spring has sprung in Germany and the weather this week has simply been GLORIOUS! We’ve had highs in the 60’s and 70’s…and this weekend it’s supposed to be up to 80F. Hard to imagine that spring is truly here after our -18C winter – but hopefully this lovely start to spring is just a taste of what is to come. We deserve it! 😉

The trees, bushes and shrubs are in full bloom here and I’ve been admiring all the forsythia bushes around the neighborhood as their buds have started to open. I happened to walk by a garden where a bunch of trimmings were laying for the dump so I grabbed a handful and made for the house. I must have looked pretty amusing walking down the street: huge dog, baby strapped to my chest and a big clump of tree trimmings all being juggled.

Using trimmings like these from forsythia, lilac or any other number of budding bushes is simple, beautiful and extremely cheap when you take cuttings from your own plants or those that your neighbors are throwing away. All you really need to do it get yourself a vase or other container to stick the shoots in and cut them to size. I have individual shoots in here as well as some of the full branches still. This is what it looked like when I first put them into the water.

Now, just a couple days later, the blossoms have all begun to open with our blast of warm air and it’s really brought the feeling of spring into our kitchen. To keep them looking nice, you just need to change the water every day or two. You can also trim a bit more off the bottom of each branch when you change the water to keep them drinking in the fresh water; therefore they’ll last even longer.

I was telling Stefan yesterday that I may try using a few of these trimmings to start our own forsythia bush. They really are the first true sign of spring here – aside from the narcissus and crocus that have started to bloom. Before long the tulips will also be opening and the neighborood will be awash with color. You see how dreamy spring is making me this year? Doesn’t hurt that when I talk doggo and Mackenzie on the walk these days, Mack giggles the whole time. Apparently the sound of birds tweeting, the smell of fresh cut grass and the trees budding is getting to her too! 🙂

The plan for the weekend? We have to go pick up T-bone steaks from our favorite butcher in Hoechst. A bit of a drive for us now but oh so worth it. Will be loading up on salad goodies and whatever else strikes our fancy at the market Saturday morning. We are also planning to get some more work done in the garden and will buy the posts for the edge of the garden to separate the side beds from the walkways. After Easter will put down mulch in the side  beds & gravel in the paths…and put new multi-layer plexiglass sheets on the greenhouse. Then our garden will officially be ready to rock.

Has spring arrived where you are? Have big plans for the weekend?