February is the Shortest Month

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This year, February is confounding us. It is 66 degrees on February 4.  On our farm, that constitutes a heat wave. No measurable snow so far this year. It feels like spring. And we had sunshine today!  February 2 marks the day we are closer to the start of spring than the beginning of winter—and it is sure feeling like spring today.  The additional daylight is quite noticeable now, and we have passed that magic 10-hours mark, when plants increase their growth exponentially.

Woo hoo! I hope this means an early spring! But I know all too well that the end of February and all through March can be treacherous. I know you have been keeping track of this also, that March 20-25, 2018, was close to the coldest week of the winter. And March 20-25, 2019, was one of the coldest weeks of the winter. I suspect winter is not done with us.

In the meantime, though, primroses are popping up, and calendula are looking at me, and lilies of the valley have been planted. The early tomatoes are looking great and will be transplanted later this month. Outside, daffodils are growing like crazy, and overwintered plants are greening up. I don’t know whether to cheer or tell them to go back into hibernation.

The tunnels are looking great, even the unheated ones. More seeds and yet more seeds are started every day, for planting in the tunnels, for transplanting outside as soon as we can, and for our farm market (since I know many of you are anxious to get planting again).

Just to remind us that it is still winter, Valentine’s Day is sporting the coldest night of the winter so far, a brisk 15 degrees. We have had worse, and it is only one night, then back to milder temperatures.
The weather this year is a gift—an early opportunity to get hands in the dirt, to dig, to clear a spot, to plant something winter hardy—because standing outside in the sunshine and digging in the dirt is the best therapy ever. It clears the mind and makes me feel better. We are spending the last two weeks of February transplanting seedlings to larger pots, creating hanging baskets and large planters, and generally getting ready for spring.

Usually, I am incredibly grateful that February is a short month. Usually it is colder than ever, it delays spring, and it is stormy and cloudy. This year, I may be incredibly grateful for that extra day of February which is bringing spring closer!



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