March 22nd, 2018

It is one day past the first day of spring in North Dakota. It means different things to different people. There have been days of teasing with temperatures near 50-degrees. There have been blasts of cold arctic air from the north crashing into warm wet fronts from the southeast; and in the middle wonderful wet snow.
There is nothing more beautiful than waking up at 5 a.m. and feeling the heaviness of a blanket of fresh white snow. Reflecting the distant city lights and sometimes the moon, sans clouds, the snow reveals the nooks and crannies of the landscape and the arms of bare-boned trees lifted high in worship to the creator.
Oh, yes, if you haven't guessed, I love spring. I love the smell of wet earth and the warmth of the hoop house. Farmers with season-extension high tunnels can go "south" any time the sun is out; even in the coldest of winters.
It is time to prepare for those days of warm soil waiting for a new crop of tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, celery, beans, peas, edamame, etc.
While that might be six or eight weeks away, my front porch is all warm and sunny and full of vibrant growing green seedlings. Today, I am sharing a bit of spring with you ...