Springtime Dandelions and Tulips in Amana, Iowa

Two iconic flowers emerge in April and early May around these here latitudes - dandelions and tulips. Examples of the springtime color are from yesterday's stroll through Amana as the town celebrated Maifest.

In the front yard garden of an older Amana home is a flower bed that has been in production for many years. This Spring the grasses and dandelions have started to overtake the colorful flower garden.

The mixture of high contrast colors from the tulips and dandelions not only make for a great photo but also signal warm weather has arrived and snow will be put off until November or December.

Spring Thinking Near the End of Fall

Here along the mid-northern latitudes, the race from Fall to Winter is in full gear. To lessen the impact of warm temperatures sliding back into winter's grasp, here is a icon image from late May 2014 to help ward off any polar vortex - maybe.

Validation of Spring

Kids love them. Many lawn owners not so much. Dandelions, however provide visual confirmation in many parts of these mid northern latitudes that spring is really here. Mow 'em, spray 'em, pick 'em, chomp on 'em, squeeze 'em into wine or let them be. You decide but soon they will turn into white globes and spread their range closer to a lawn near you.

Lion's Tooth Signal Spring

Spring is here. And its been here since February and March. In areas where no one picks up leaves in the Fall, the vegetation is protected from the cold and snow. One sure sign of the Spring is dandelions - old french for Lion's tooth. Bright green and yellow, these plants are hearty enough to burst through a pile of oak leaves and announce the season. If left unspoiled by herbicides the plant can be eaten, the flower made into wine and the root used for a diuretic. So much uses for a plant that is the bane of lawn owners but also cherished by children. Know that.