March Winds

“March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” is a traditional rhyme that teaches young children about the seasons. More often than not, March is primarily blustery and cold with brief glimpses of warm weather to come, but this year Mother Nature has decided to supply us with never ending sunshine and unseasonably mild conditions. On March 1, 2012 we experienced a high temperature of 39 and a low of 33 degrees. March 15^th followed with record highs in northwest Illinois and temperatures reaching 80 degrees.  This revealed farmers and gardeners alike teetering between bliss, at their good fortune in being able to work the soil early, and concern at the possibility of a hot, dry growing season.   

We’re not getting too excited here about early planting. I’ve seen far too many springs where gardeners (myself included) have prematurely put out tender crops and annual flowers only to find themselves scrambling to cover everything, when nature reminds us with a late frost as to who’s still in control. We are however taking advantage of clear, warm days by prepping the greenhouse, clearing debris, tilling, and staking out where we will be planting. On deck is spring cleaning the chicken houses and prepping the brooder house for chicks slated to arrive the first of April.

We've been (un)patiently awaiting the arrival of the first of the next generation to join us. She was not coaxed by lore of babes arriving with the full moon and has ignored her due date of March 15^th. Corey is convinced she’ll make her arrival on St. Patrick’s Day and has me searching for the perfect green shirt for him to sport and a yummy and festive cupcake recipe as he says, “We’ll party!” I’ve been full of predictions of when we’ll finally meet Zoey and as my daughter has pointed out to me, none have held true.

We shall see… may be she’s waiting for the first day of spring.