Almost

Spring, you’re such a tease. The crocuses, daffodils, and hellebores are all in full bloom. The magnolias are magnificent. The ground is soft, but not muddy.  And one of the biggest signs of seasonal shift, I’ve had to pull out the midweight coveralls.

But I shouldn’t get my hopes up. Afterall, there was snow last week. Some referred to it an onion snow, but I’ve got enough Pennsylvania Dutch in me to know we’re no where near having the onion snow.  The colloquialism refers to the last snow of the season. We’re not there yet despite the cherry blossoms lying their petals off. Onion sets haven’t even shown up for sale at the local hardware store. They, and seed potatoes, get set out for sale the weekend prior to the first official day of spring which is nearly two weeks away.

Snow is forecasted for Friday and again on Monday into Tuesday. Last year it snowed on my blooming tulips in April so don’t be jumping the gun and planting annuals in porch pots just yet. You’ll know when it’s time to start pulling out the terracotta when the seasonal vendors return to market with an assortment of fresh herbs and vegetable starts. The big box garden centers might have tomato six packs for sale already but that’s like buying Halloween candy on Labor Day. They’re not going to make it.

It's not just the plant people who have bellwethers of spring. The fur has been flying here for at least a month among the assorted livestock. This week the goats began to shed tufts of their soft winter undercoat. It looks like someone taped cotton balls to the barn. Goats are prima donnas who don’t like to get wet, muddy, or cold so when they blow their base layer it’s a good bet winter is almost over.

At market there are a few changes signaling impending spring. First, as of March 1st the market now opens at 9 am. Those who were paying attention last week got the worm. Speaking of worms, if you’re noticing small divots in your yard this time of year it’s because as the soil warms and the worms, along with other grubs, beetles, and assorted insects begin to move toward the surface and emerge. It’s also skunk breeding season and guess who digs in the dirt for their dinner. Just a heads up for those out running or walking their dogs in the dark, it’s not that dang groundhog you have to watch out for.

This week there’s another change that occurs each spring—the return to Daylight Savings Time. Love it or hate it, doesn’t matter, it’s here. I don’t like getting out of bed an hour early anymore than the next vendor, but we do it because our businesses require us to be at a certain place every week at a specific time. Fortunately for those of you who don’t want to get out of bed an hour early many of the market’s vendors still off the ability to pre-order your favorite items that can be picked up anytime during market hours.

I’m just as anxious for fresh strawberries and ramps and asparagus as everyone else, but for now I’ve got to accept that it’s not time just yet to wash, mend, and put away my insulated coveralls until next year.