Signs of Spring
Fox & Dove is located in a weird little micro climate within the St. Croix River protected watershed. Most of the areas around us are USDA plant hardiness zone 4b, but my little plot sits in zone 5a. Hmmm, ok, maybe that’s not so weird. The rain patterns ARE WEIRD! I swear, more likely than not, the rains moving east out of Minnesota and into Wisconsin will split just before they hit us, travel all around us, and then rejoin up just west of the land. I’ve watched it happen so many times on radar. Just weird...and heartbreaking because we need the rain.
If there is a silver lining, the weirdness may help when it comes time to planting this year. I bet we’ll all be able to get out and get our hands in the dirt earlier than normal.
The average last frost date in my area is May 17th and, I know, never say never and I need to go knock on some wood, I think we may have already be past the danger point. It could get super cold and we could have a hard frost, but within the week we’re in the 60s and lows are upper 30s. Looking less and less likely that we’ll get another killing frost this spring. (Going to knock on wood now!!)
The land isn’t green yet. Still pretty brown. If we get the forecasted rain, though, the green will pop everywhere! The lack of green doesn’t cause despair, however, because Mother Nature is providing non-stop signs that spring is here. The first American Robins showed up on April 1st. My normal pair of Mourning Doves were joined by 3 others and the fellas were likely vying for Ms. Dove’s attention. The House Finches are busy building their 3rd annual nest under the deck. And the rabbits! A few days ago I counted six rabbits (and I’m sure there were more than that) simultaneously zipping around the yard like the devil was chasing them. I’m sure it was just spring fever getting the best of them and I was grateful for the full day of non-stop entertainment!
The Tulips, Allium, Sedum, Bee Balm, and Crocus are just a few of the plants that are waking up and stretching toward the sun.
Inside the seedlings have finally been started and it’s a bit stressful! Will they grow? Is it too cold? Is it too warm? Is there too much moisture and humidity? Is there too little moisture and humidity? Did I take the humidity cover off too soon? Do I put water in the bottom of the trays or wait until I pull them off the heat mats and remove the covers?
So far it seems I’m doing ok by a couple of the trays. My notes say Texas “Hummingbird Sage” Salvia (Salvia coccinea) should germinate in 10-15 days and the Apricot Beauty Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) in 14-21 days and my seedlings popped up in 3 days and 5 days respectively! At this rate my planned 4 rounds of seeds will be well done and ready to be planted out by the end of May.
Hope you’re finding your own spring wonders wherever you are.
Happy Spring!!
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Dignity. Grace. Kindness. Sustainable.
