Local Gardens Blooming Thanks to Mild Winter

The first days of spring last week felt more like the start of summer and on the heels of a mild winter, local gardens are blooming ahead of schedule.

Eric Abby, owner of on 3333 Merrick Rd., Wantagh, said this past winter if the mildest he can remember in at least 25 years. Abby said the lack of snow and warm temperatures have allowed daffodils and forsythia bushes to bloom early. In addition to flowers, plumb trees have also bloomed at a far earlier rate than most years, according to Abby.

The earlier than normal garden bloom could be thwarted if freezing temperatures should occur in the area. Abby said as long as the temperatures don’t go below 30, gardens should be safe. He said only flowers and plants would be affected in the case of a sudden freeze and not trees.

Despite the unseasonably warm temperatures the area has experienced of late,

Abby cautioned gardeners to still make smart decisions about what is planted in early spring.

“It’s important that people only plant what would survive if it gets cold,” he said.

Abby’s Parkside Nursery stays open all year round except for January and sells winter pansies in February and March that allow gardeners to get a jumpstart on planting. He said a mild winter like the Wantagh-Seaford area experienced in 2012 is positive for business since people’s appetite for grooming their gardens begins sooner.

“A mild winter is nice because people get in the mood earlier for spring and summer,” he said.