I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose, I would always greet it in a garden. — Ruth Stout, Queen of Mulch gardener (1884-1980)
If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles. — Doug Larsen, Newspaper Columnist (1926-2017)
Who couldn’t love spring even with all its unpredictable weather? Rain comes in deluges for days followed by the most beautiful sunny days. One day the morning is in the mid-40’s and by afternoon temperatures have eased ever so gracefully near 80s. These drastic changes can wreak havoc on your wardrobe: shorts and tees one day, sweaters and jackets the next; sweaters and jackets in the morning and shorts and tees in the afternoon. No boredom there. How good it feels to walk in the sunshine, dig in the dirt, watch the bluebirds go in and out of their birdhouses while butterflies discover wildflowers, cherry blossoms, or impatiens from last year. Dandelions spread like a blanket. Gardenias thought to have succumbed to the freeze have tiny leaves bursting out. There’s hope after all. Hummingbirds started to feed at the feeders the moment the feeders went out.
If you’re a fisherman it’s time to ready the boat and gear while the weather is most desirable, not to mention fish that are spawning. A quote found in “Mississippi Sportsman” magazine says, “The movement to shallow water beginning about a month before the spawn is probably instinctive but fine tuned by water temperature. Regardless of what factors control winter distribution, the crappie are back in the shallow spawning areas when the water temperature starts approaching 60 degrees.” Since we have an avid crappie fisherman in the household that’s all we can say about that except fishing is another enjoyable spring event.
On the home front I’ve planted the tomato plants in pots embraced by wire cages, fresh potting soil and light fertilizer. Within days the height of the plants had tripled. Eggplant, squash, sweet peppers, are planted in the raised beds with half compost soil and half bagged soil. Like a new relationship we’ll see where it goes, so far, so good.
Most of the new flowers from the garden center have not been planted yet as I decide where they should go. Placement depends on a couple of factors: sun or shade, visibility from the house or porches, and access to water sources.
The plants from the greenhouse that thrived throughout the winter were already in pots so those were moved out first, some in their old places and some in new places. Watering cans were also distributed. The next day there on the front porch inside the watering can was a little tiny tree frog, my first for the year. Last year I had half-a-dozen and they brought me so much joy. They are unafraid as you talk to them like you would any pet. They position themselves in the hollow of the handle of the watering can. About six feet above the watering can is the night lantern. The frogs will be waiting to feast on night bugs drawn to the light.
Another year, another season, another month, another day, much to be thankful for.
Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].
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