| 2024 Year in Review! |
The start of the 2024 gardening season brought our first snow on the 7th, as I ran outside like a little kid with cell phone to capture the moment. It only lasted a while with no accumulation, but had been something we had not experienced in a while. It had been a milder than usual January with temperatures in the 40's and larger amounts of rain than we have seen in the past, but two more snowfalls arrived on the 15th through the 16th with 2.1 inches and again on the 19th with just a dusting. Overall, it was a much milder January than years past.
| February |
The month of February also brought warmer than usual temperatures forcing early spring bulbs to prematurely emerge from their winter's sleep. The groundhog did not see his shadow and as the legend has it, he was predicting an early spring. With that we woke up to a winter wonderland on the 13th. Thankfully, the light flaky snow that had fallen covered the emerging bulbs, offering protection. It was a very unpredictable winter thus far.
| March |
The month of March brought signs of spring everywhere as the temperatures warmed into the mid to upper 50's to 60's after two inches of rain and sixty mile an hour winds in the beginning of the month. With the rain and warming temperatures, spring bulbs started coming up everywhere and rather quickly. With Hellebores continuing to bloom, the flowers of purple crocus appeared along with the foliage of Hyacinths, accompanied by Allium and Sedum emerging from their sleep.
| April |
With spring-like temperatures in the upper 50's to low 60’s and a high of 72 degrees in the beginning of the month, this gardener was in her glory. Blooms of Japanese Andromeda and Ornamental Plum appeared with buds on Eastern Redbud and Allium, while Hellebores of assorted varieties continued to bloom. We were now officially in the spring growing season, an exciting time of year with so much to look forward to, but were the warmer temperatures going to stay? The weather patterns had been so erratic.
| May |
Here on Long Island, as everywhere else, the weather patterns continued to be unpredictable. From summer like temperatures pushing into the high 70's in the beginning of the month to days in the 50's and then a series of repeating rain events, the spring of 2024 had certainly been interesting. By now the blooms of Rhododendron and Azalea were underway with Salvia, Ajuga and Pulmonaria and of course the blooms of Kwanzan Cherry were wonderful, having appeared a couple of weeks early.
| June |
As the official start of summer was underway, daytime temperatures had reached into the upper 70's to low 80's with a slight breeze off the water to keep the days comfortable. The garden continued to thrive as there have been frequent rains over the previous two months to keep the blooms coming and the plants happy. At this time, Kousa Dogwood, Viburnum, Spirea, Knock Out Rose, False Indigo, Salvia Peony and Irises were among the blooms. It was a very productive month in the garden.
| July |
Hydrangea and Coneflower were the stars for the month of July. With a rather mild past winter, cool spring and temperatures rising into the mid to upper 80’s for July with plenty of rain, the blooms were more robust than ever. Then came a sudden burst of higher temperatures and humidity, causing some of the blooms to appear even earlier than usual. Along with Hydrangea and Coneflower, blooms of various forms of Astilbe could be seen, along with Nepeta, starting blooms of Allium 'Millenium' and the highly fragrant blooms of Stargazer Lily. Crape Myrtle blooms were delayed due to the cool spring, but wait...there were buds to be seen!
| August |
The beginning of August brought steamy temperatures in the mid to upper 80's accompanied by lots of humidity and pop up thunderstorms, making the temperatures feel even higher. Then the passing by of Tropical Storm Debby brought 4 inches of rain within a few days to the island. After the storm, the days of mid-August brought blue skies and temperatures in the lower 80’s, evenings in the 60's and 70's. The garden continued with its next round of blooms with Allium 'Millenium' now in full swing, with the eye-catching blooms of Balloon Flower (Platycodon 'Komachi'), Heather, Black Eyed Susan, Buddleia and Crape Myrtle!
| September |
As days with clear blue skies and cooler temperatures in the 70's continued, fall was just around the corner and as the seasons changed so did the landscape, with much anticipation for the colorful display to arrive. It was now time for the continuing deep purple blooms of Dwarf Buddleia, deep pink blooms of Sedum, white blooms of the later blooming Hydrangea 'Fire Light Tidbit' and Abelia 'Kaleidoscope', along with the bright purple blooms of Liriope. After such a cool and rainy spring, we had now been in a state of drought for an entire month. Fortunately with the cooler temperatures, the garden did not suffer.
| October |
Fall had officially arrived and there were signs everywhere as the landscape started to transition into an array of color. The month of October brought cooler temperatures in the upper 50's to low 60's by day, while dipping into the 40's some evenings with mostly clear skies. After a month of drought we finally received a few hours of steady light rain on the 7th, which helped to refurbish the landscape. As the previous blooms continued, it was Montauk Daisy time.
| November |
It was one of the warmest and driest Novembers I can remember here in the northeast with temperatures ranging in the 50's to low 60's and no significant rainfall. Finally, a very welcomed and needed rain came during the early hours of the morning on the 11th. The trees had been dropping leaves rapidly due to the lasting drought, but the colors were still vibrant. As dried seed pods could be seen about, the blooms of Rudbeckia, Echinacea, Knock Out Roses, and Abelia continued, joined by a surprise bloom from Daylily 'Stella D Oro'!
| December |
The garden was now at rest with rainy days in the 50's earlier in the month, followed by temperatures dipping down into the 30's and into the teens for three nights. There were even a couple of passing flurries with a dusting of snow to cover the landscape, just in time for the holidays. It was now a time for enjoying the colorful foliage of evergreens, deep red berries of Nellie Stevens Holly, bright winter foliage of Nandina 'Obsession', and subtle beauty that nature has to offer.
I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Catch up on posts and other news with my newsletter, Northeastern Gardening News. Subscribe for free to receive monthly updates. Also, watch this blog for the big announcement coming out in one week...spoiler alert…it's all about my new book!
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As Always...Happy Gardening!
Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2025. All rights reserved.