Green, Green Grass of Home

There is only one time every year when the grass on the farm is as vibrant-green as it is right now. When the sun warms the ground for a few days and the spring rains fall, the grass breaks dormancy and puts on a gorgeous chartreuse sheen the likes of which haven't been present in a year. It will spend perhaps a week, maybe two then will fade to a deeper, less brilliant hue, not to return for another year.

With lush green grass of course, comes the mowing. The 21st of March and already I'm behind! It is, however, a pretty sight to see those stripes in the grass.

Although last week was an extremely productive week on the farm, I was not nearly so optimistic about the soil moisture level. I worked all the main farm paddocks; put in the oats and barley; sowed alfalfa in the winter wheat; rolled the wheat, alfalfa and rye; aerated and fertilized the soccer fields; tilled the small production beds; direct-seeded the first progression of radish, carrots, spinach, lettuce, turnips, rutabagas and beets; uncovered strawberries from their mulch; and finished sowing tomato and pepper seeds. With 80 degree temps all week it was easy to get spring fever. But I must admit there was a bit of concern about how dry the soil was. One doesn't expect to be in the midst of a dust bowl while working the ground in the spring!

The temps have moderated by about 10 degrees or so but we're still abnormally warm for the 3rd week in March. Fortunately, nearly every day this week has had some precipitation--close to 2" thus far here on the farm. It is a good feeling to know that for all of last weeks plantings there is at least enough moisture in the ground now to get things rolling. And it is much easier to enjoy the wonders of spring on the farm.



Daffodil





Redbud ready to burst out in bloom with a forsythia backdrop



The first dandelion of the season