Thursday, February 19, 2009

Spring Signs


The local melon farmers have their fields prepped and the baby melon plants will be going in soon. The grassy strips serve as wind breaks and soil holders while the black plastic mulch will help in moisture retention and weed control. In the lower left corner, you can see the drip irrigation hose running under the plastic liner.
For these farmers, profit depends on getting an early harvest so their melons will garner a high price early in the summer.



Another sign of spring are the blueberry blossoms in my little patch out back. I'm pretty nervous about this weekend as my little blue babies are opening up just as a hard freeze is predicted. I could lose my entire crop if these flowers get too cold.
Man, I hate buying blueberries.
Y'all think good warm thoughts okay?

Another sign of spring is Feather getting out of the porch dog nest and lying in the sun.
She's about half asleep in that picture, her eyes mostly closed, and her head occasionally jerking as she starts. I told her to give it up and just lay down, but she said she was on duty.

Last weekend the black cherry trees burst into new leafdom and the carolina jessamine began blooming, along with the farkle berry.
Spring is coming, which doesn't thrill me as much as some of you in more northerly climes. I love winter here.
Cool, no oppressive humidity, no bugs (sorry Doug), and ...
... I get all your birds.
heehee

13 comments:

Sharon said...

OH I'm with ya on that. I hear people saying they're tired of the cold weather and I think they're NUTS!! LOL

threecollie said...

Cold has an entirely different definition up here and winter is a whole 'nother animal. (As of course, you already know)

The only thing around here in bloom is the geraniums in the kitchen and the chives on the windowsill.

Soon though
Our birds are already showing up.

Jacqueline Donnelly said...

You don't get all our birds (I should show you my bill for birdseed!), and we up here in the Adirondacks are "the South" for more northerly species like juncos, American tree sparrows, and Alaskan bald eagles. And some of us up here even love the snow and ice. At least until April. Then it starts to get really old.

Unknown said...

We would like it to warm up a bit here(just south of you),but we don't want to have to turn the
A/C on,either.Those days will come soon enough.And we're worried about this week-end too.Our plumerias can't take another hit from the freezes.

Sayre said...

Oh, your picture of Feather made me a bit weepy. Looks just like my beloved Beryl (who died nearly three years ago now)...

Spring is showing its face around here too. Unfortunately, I think my Japanese Magnolia died over the winter - there are no signs of life while the others around here are budding like crazy.

robin andrea said...

It's nice to see sweet Feather. I bet she's happy to feel the spring weather. Hope your blueberries make through the weekend.

We're expecting more rain here this weekend. Yippee! Maybe if we're lucky we'll get enough to be safe for summer.

Anonymous said...

I get sleepy like that when I'm on duty, but my bossman never tells me to just give it up and lie down.

Anonymous said...

FC-
Could you please have those birds go to Old Town and eat all the spiders out on Wise Acres? Would be greatly appreciated!
Lightnin

Thunder said...

Just make 1 trip to Harbin, China and you'll rethink your stance on winter! ;-) Come on Spring!!!!

SophieMae said...

I'm REALLY likin' that melon field shot! Here's hoping Feather and your blueberries get lots more warmth and NO MORE FREEZIES! Even Duller's just about had enough this year.

Miz S said...

I saw a big flock of robins yesterday here in Maryland. I look for them every year right around now and they never disappoint me. Spring is on its way.

Sandcastle Momma said...

It's nice to see signs of spring! I'm a summer girl through and through and am ready for warm winds and fresh off the vine fruits and vegetables. I'll cross my fingers for your blueberries - sure would be a shame to lose them!

Dave Coulter said...

Cardinals and Mourning doves are singing again out back!