The scurs and Weather Eye took care of business last week and avoided any snow. Will our dealings with Mother Nature stay on track or will Old Man Winter head us into the ditch? Starting Wednesday, sunny with highs in the mid-30’s and lows in the low 20’s. Thursday, sunny with highs in the upper 40’s and lows in the mid-30’s. Sunny Friday with highs in the low 60’s and lows in the mid-40’s. Saturday, sunny with highs in the low 70’s and lows in the upper 40’s. Mostly sunny on Easter Sunday with highs in the mid-70’s and lows in the mid-50’s. Monday, partly sunny with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60’s with lows in the low 50’s. Partly sunny for Tuesday with a slight chance of a rain shower. Highs in the mid-60’s with lows in the low 50’s. The normal high for April 4th is 51 and the normal low is 31. The scurs set out a two bushel basket for the Easter Bunny to fill. Go big or go home.

Temperatures continue to see-saw as is their habit this time of year. Some are concerned about soil temperatures, although calendar date and crop to be planted also come into play. Small grains can be planted just about any time with the earliest I recall being wheat sown the end of February in ‘87. The wheat sprouted in March, but wasn’t close to emerging. The ground re-froze and there were some anxious moments when prying the frozen layer of soil off the seedlings to evaluate their integrity. Luckily, the kernels were situated just below the frozen soil and emerged unscathed. It wasn’t a particularly good spring-seeded small grain year, but the corn and soybean crops in ‘87 were outstanding. Seldom are years good for both cool season and warm season crops.

Talk of anhydrous going on, fertilizer being applied and small grain going in by week’s end if weather continues to cooperate. Unfortunately, fertilizer prices have taken off, so, while spring anhydrous is advantageous, it may not be as economical as the fall applied material. We are fortunate here, too, as the rainfall last week demonstrated locally that our soil profile is relatively full. Streams and rivers came up dramatically as water ponded in areas and tile flow increased. This is not a bad place to be as areas around us are not as wet. More talk seems to center around the potential for a hotter, drier summer, so having some additional moisture in reserve isn’t a bad thing. There are people who would trade with us.

Baby steps in the garden even after Monday’s 71 degree high. The radishes planted March 9th continue to emerge with the one method of planting appearing to be superior, given the soil conditions at the time. Again, the up and down temperatures likely have had something to do with it. The daffodils transplanted from Mom’s are just about ready to open. The next warm day should allow that to happen. As it is, a jonquil from a past spring bulb planter bloomed Monday. Something I’ve been meaning to try after some reading is to plant some four o’clocks in a container. Turns out they’re actually perennials. In this latitude though, we generally plant them in the garden and, when it freezes, they’re toast. I’m also on the lookout for a decent rear-tined tiller. So far I’m not quick enough on the draw.

More phenology: My little fat buddy reported ice out on Beaver Lake on the 24th. St. Olaf Lake followed a couple days later. The western chorus frogs cranked it up on the 29th ahead of the cooldown. After going to press last week, I saw a fresh pocket gopher mound. Another garter snake was also discovered, this one in the basement. After debating, I played Wild Kingdom, releasing it outside unharmed. Past experience indicates, if they don’t make it out, they die and really stink, or they’ll crawl upstairs, something no one including the snake likes. When I got the mail Monday, there was a stick in the driveway. Strange spot for a stick. Turned out to be a larger model garter snake, a two footer. I attempted to herd it off into the grass. Herding snakes or cats is about a horse apiece. It was more interested in crawling under the running pickup, so I backed it up. The snake apparently must’ve sensed it was safer in the lawn. I’m starting to think we’re running the Reptile Gardens here. 

The last official ewe of the season lambed at the ranch on Saturday. Anything after this one doesn’t count. The ewe telegraphed it pretty good, getting off by herself during morning chores. It was starting to rain, however, and I would’ve put money on her being off by herself in the far end of the pasture. I had some errands to run and, when I returned, she was still inside, having started the lambing process. She went into a pen without any protest and, aside from being nervous with me around, everything was normal. Odd, but we’ll take it. I decided there were putz projects to do along with a Studebaker to play with, so did that to give her some privacy. After completing those tasks, I looked in on her to gauge her progress. A very fresh, covered in goo set of twin buck lambs on the ground with one hooked on. By the time I rounded up some bedding and fetched the ewe a bucket of warm water, the other lamb was nursing. Gotta love it when a plan comes together.      

Ruby’s11th birthday is coming up on the 4th. It’s hard to believe how fast the time has flown. It’s also hard to believe her age based on her behavior sometimes. She still plays a lot of the same games she did when she was a puppy. Amusing unless you’re trying to catch a quick nap after late night lambing sessions. Ruby does have her moments and reminds us why we have her other than comic relief. We moved a couple ewes with lambs to the main barn on Sunday. The older ewe and a piece of cake, practically outrunning us to the loafing area. Not her first rodeo. The second ewe, newer to the process had other thoughts and wanted to double back. Luckily, as Border Collies will do, Ruby flanked her during the whole process. When the ewe saw her position, she decided against any false moves and followed the lamb Mrs. Cheviot was carrying. Timing is everything.

See you next week...real good then.