Part of what I love about living in Pittsfield Village are the spring gardens. The gardens in the community are spectacular and, as winter comes to an end, the whole place just pops with fresh, spring greens, blooms and blossoms.

With a wraparound garden having south, east and north exposure, exactly when winter ends and spring begins is all relative.

A sign of spring: Snowbells peak through the ground on the south-exposed side of my home in Pittsfield Village.

Farnham | Contributor

One of the first, beautiful indicators has already begun to appear in the front of my home. The full sun of the southern exposure, combined with the warmth from the building itself, has coaxed bulbs like crocuses and snowbells up nice and early. This garden is enjoying spring right now!

Meanwhile, the back garden languishes far behind in what seems more like January weather. Stuck under two feet of snow, the ground is frozen solid and showing no signs of change. Northern exposure assures a much later spring here.

These gardens are only about 34 feet apart, separated by the modest building and deck. But the divide in springtime seems much deeper.

To look north from inside my home, you would never guess that spring is sprung in the opposite direction. It's a dramatic contrast and a reminder of the power of location and the sun.

Ann Farnham is a mother of two, community volunteer, and personal organizer who loves to dig in the dirt - in her Village garden. Follow her at Ann of Ann Arbor.