It is, perhaps, unsurprising, given that we have achieved the Ides of March, but much is in bloom. Today the grape (the Buffalo — the Zinfandel was uprooted in a heretofore undocumented fit of Winter pruning) has burst forth, unfurling juvenile leaves from the spherical buds it has been developing over the past few weeks. Just across the fence, the neighbors’ young cherry trees are awash in clouds of pink. The Hudson’s Golden Gem’s tight red flowers have emerged and are on the verge of opening, while the damned leggy Ashmead’s Kernel is still working on its usual tardy foray into first-leaf. Daffodils are losing their luster and tulips are coming to the fore.
We are well into a rather dry Spring — somewhat unsatisfyingly so, given a $200.00 gutter repair undertaken in anticipation of vernal deluges — and while rain is forecast for tomorrow, it’s the merest 30% chance, with nothing but sunshine on the other side of it. This Winter has been one of the driest on record, portending a Summer of draughts … it’s a good thing one cares nothing for maintaining a lush lawn, else the water shortage to come would pain. Thank goodness for drip irrigation in the vegetable patch.
