We are rapidly approaching the last frost date. In fact, it’s tomorrow if you listen to the madman. May 15 is the start of our frost-free season – no temperature below 32°. We have all spent the winter getting ready for this. Time to grow! Some of us are already growing things. The cool weather…
Earth Day was last week. If you didn’t celebrate it, shame on you! This celebration, started in 1970, is all about the need to preserve our earth for future generations. A good way to preserve our earth is to plant a native tree. And, the holiday for that – Arbor Day – was last week…
Spring is almost here. Later today Ēostre arrives with her signs of spring – the earth can truly wake up. It’s been a wet spring so far. We have already had 5” of rain this March. I know the madman always says “water, water, water,” but enough is enough. The ground needs to dry out…
It’s now March and both nature and the madman are coming out of hibernation. The days are longer. The sun is higher. And the world seems brighter. We have entered meteorological spring and real spring is close behind. But before winter leaves us, the madman has a few late winter tasks to finish. Bet you…
While taking a break from transplanting peppers the other day, the madman noticed a new bird at the suet feeder. Actually, Northern Flickers aren’t new to us. We often see these woodpeckers during the warmer months busily foraging for insects in the lawn. We just don’t recall seeing one on the suet feeder before –…
Sure, we’re out of the Persephone Period, but we still don’t see the sun until around 7 (if we see it at all!). And the madman is still in his mid-winter funk, so I dragged him out to the back looking for a green pick-me-up. And there it was – moss. Moss, more correctly called…
Looking out the back window the other day, the madman saw a Red-winged Blackbird at the feeder. Whoa, January 15 is a bit earlier than usual. According to some ornithologists (SAT word for bird expert), Red-winged Blackbirds are year-round residents of Connecticut. Others say our Blackbirds migrate south for the winter. Blackbirds are Early In…
Here we are in 2024 and the madman is troubled. For the past month or so his thoughts keep returning to our new USDA Hardiness Zone. We have moved up a half a zone. We Are Getting Warmer It may not sound like a big deal – after all, it’s only a 5° temperature shift….
Here it is December 26, and the tree is holding up. The madman and I can’t imagine not having a live Christmas tree. But it seems we are in the minority. Nearly 8 out of 10 households decorated an artificial tree this year. An Unusual Christmas Tree Talk of shortages and high costs may have…