Out of Drought Risk

The below normal water table has been remedied by recent rains.Now we have more water than we need.It's hard to envision any drought this summer.Indeed,wet conditions are hindering growers.It's best not to disturb wet soil,as its structure is damaged that way.Mowing isn't possible,and it's hard to get a clean cut while pruning wet vegetation.These rainy days are a setback in that respect,but,in the end,we have to be grateful for this gift.It sets us in good store for the arid days that may well come,and it fills the ponds for the red-winged blackbirds who live by them.

Nature Note:Signs of Change

Before dawn,the constellation Scorpio rises in the southern sky.This is a sure sign of the approaching meteorological spring,which begins March 1.The silver maple buds are another sign.They have begun to swell and,if you wounded the trees,sap would flow out.Each day,the sun is stronger and higher than it was the day before.Red-winged blackbirds have returned to the pond,staking out their territories for the warm months ahead.The minds of growers are turning to planting when the ground thaws and winter will be forgotten.