forsythia forcing

A welcome sign of spring in the house

This shrub doesn't look like much:  a bunch of dry sticks in a boring form.  

But these branches are perfect for forcing.  Cut branches up to 3 feet long, anywhere you feel the plant needs thinning.  Bring them inside, cut the stems again, and immediately plunge into a deep vase of warm water.  The next day, cut the bottoms again, and change to fresh warm water.  Every few days, change the water again, always making sure to use warm water.  As the water rises up the stems, the tiny hard buds will swell, and the branches will be covered with yellow flowers, weeks before any blooms appear outside.