Thoughts of Spring

 

After twelve straight days of below zero mornings, more in other parts of Wisconsin, the temperature is finally climbing, with a prediction of some above freezing days.  I remember so well when I was a kid, days similar to what we just experienced.  I also remember the first thaw when the eaves on the barn roof began dripping.

My Dad would say, “I can smell spring this morning.”  And it did feel different as I trotted out to the barn for the morning chores.  Rather than thinking about keeping warm, keeping the woodstoves going in the house, the pumphouse and the potato cellar, and shoveling snow, I could think about spring. 

Spring meant gardening.  On the farm, we always had a huge vegetable garden.   I still have a large garden at my farm.  These days, my kids, far from being kids anymore, have taken over the garden work—the planting, hoeing, rototilling, and harvesting.  They bought a folding rocking chair for me with a sign on the back that reads, “Senior Supervisor.”

I am in charge of what gets planted where, what gets planted next to each other and what doesn’t.  When to plant.  Peas, lettuce,

and radishes in the ground as soon as it can be worked.  No vining crops until the soil warms.  Things I learned from more than 60 years of gardening. 

As I look out the window, with the snow still piled high, I am looking ahead.  Looking ahead to once more feeling the sun on my back, listening to bird song in the background, and watching my kids once more bring the garden to life.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Thoughts of spring bring happy thoughts of gardening.

UPCOMING EVENT: Sunday, February 21.

 Register now for PBS Wisconsin’s Garden & Landscape Expo (Feb. 20-21) Natasha  Kassulke and I will be sharing “Setting the Stage for Successful Gardening” from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 21.

Register Wisconsin Garden & Landscape Expo (wigardenexpo.com)

 

WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS:

To purchase Jerry’s books, including Garden Wisdom,  go to your local bookstore, order online from bookshop.org, or from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org

 If you live in the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s.  and look at their great selection of my books, including my new ones, or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414. They will be happy to help you.