I struggle with March in Connecticut. Traditionally a month designated with “In like a lion and out like a lamb” I find that the lion and lamb sleep side by side. Sunshine fills the days with beautiful weather ranging from 45 to 75 degrees with occasional gusting winds. The nights drop into freezing temperatures. Sometimes colder nights fall into the teens causing me to run outside at 11 pm to quickly cover newly planted flowers. In northern Connecticut only foolishly hopeful gardeners start planting outside in March. Those of us unable to conquer the desire for something colorful, green and blooming after the bleak months of winter and snow attempt to plant in March. We often choose something hardy, like members of the Viola family, including pansies, violets and johnny-jump-ups. These small flowers provide the perfect amount of color and green, combined with a hardiness for low spring temperatures. March, however, hardly counts as spring in Connecticut. Here in my small rural area of Connecticut, March combines all the cold qualities of winter with occasional spring-like days. Thankfully when provided with extra special care the pansies manage to survive the weather fluctuations of March. My definition of “extra special” care includes covering pansies when evening temperatures drop below 32^o F, and moving them with the sunlight in the yard, necessitated by the trees in my yard. This March has been unusual in its warmth, thankfully allowing me to cease my worries about the pansies freezing. Happy Spring, may your flowers flourish and not freeze!