The scurs threats must’ve jolted the Weather Eye. Enough is too much. Is winter finally over or will the ground hog see his shadow again? Starting Wednesday, sunny with highs in the mid-60’s and lows in the mid-40’s. Mostly sunny Thursday with a slight chance of rain into the overnight. Highs in the low 70’s with lows in the low 50’s. Partly sunny on Friday with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60’s with lows in the low 50’s. Saturday, partly sunny with a modest chance of rain. Highs in the upper 60’s with lows in the mid-50’s. Partly sunny Sunday with a fair chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the low 70’s with lows in the mid-50’s. Monday, partly sunny with a slight chance of showers. Highs in the low 70’s with lows in the mid-50’s. Mostly sunny on Tuesday with highs in the mid-70’s and lows in the mid-50’s. On May 5th, the sun will rise at 6 a.m. CDT. The rate of increase on our daylight will slow to under two minutes and 30 seconds per day on the 6th. On the 9th, we’ll see 14 hours and 30 minutes of daylight, roughly the same as we’ll see August 3rd. The normal high for May 5th is 64 and the normal low is 43. The scurs are rationing their goodie supply until Farm and City Days.
May 5th also happens to mark the Full Moon for the month. It generally goes by the Full Blossom Moon, but has also been called the Full Corn Planting Moon or the Full Milk Moon, as dairy cows were turned out on pasture commonly during this month. Farmers didn’t stand behind them in the stanchions for a few days afterwards. The Full Blossom Moon is rather self-explanatory. As the saying goes April showers bring May flowers as they should shortly as temperatures become closer to normal soon. The Ojibwe knew this as the Blossom Moon and the Sioux called it the Moon when Ponies Shed or the Moon of Greening Leaves. At the ranch it’s known as the Dust off the Lawnmower Moon. It’s still buried behind some stuff in the shed, not unlike several individuals I know of.
Fieldwork progressed slowly last week, although some corn was planted starting Wednesday and continued until Friday afternoon’s light showers brought planters to a halt. Soil temperatures were not very impressive either with average temps at the 2” and 4” depth in the mid-40’s. Luckily, there was no major cold rain involved, so at least in theory, problems should be minimal. While some planted, others decided discretion was the better part of valor and decided to bank on the warmer forecast containing scant precipitation. Nationwide, as of April 30th and based off the past 5-year average, corn was about 26% planted, about normal for that date. Soybeans were about 19% planted, 8% ahead of normal for April 30th. In MN, corn was 5% planted or roughly 18% behind normal. Soybean planting was also off the pace with only 1% planted and 7% behind normal. Given the forecast and the size of today’s equipment, we can and likely will catch up quickly.
Weeds are starting to show, especially some of the early season species, such as giant ragweed and lambsquarters. They are tiny yet, reflecting the cold April temps. The few acres of corn planted April 12th – 14th appear to be doing OK, although it too will have been in the ground for three weeks. With a radicle less than half an inch long and a coleoptile just breaking through the pericarp, it won’t emerge this week. Next week perhaps. Small grains planted April 12th are emerging, giving fields a nice green cast from the road. On closer inspection though, there are still areas in the heavier residue that are yet to fully emerge. Can you say cold soils, boys and girls? I knew you could.
At the ranch, we reached a milestone. The last ewe to lamb of the season finally got the job done last Wednesday with a nice healthy buck lamb. The ewe was with the program and cooperative when we checked her for milk. The lamb was aggressive, so, after leaving them alone to figure it out, it didn’t take long to see they were bonded and not in need of our assistance. Many of the main group of lambs enjoy running when the temps cool down towards evening. Around dusk they begin to mill about and pretty soon it’s an all-out footrace, er, hoof-race. They’re getting close to weaning soon. Some of the same issues with the cold temps have kept pastures from being as far along as we’d like before attempting that feat. So far, we haven’t contracted COVID like we did last year about this time. It’s hard enough to get enough ambition to tangle with an entire group when we’re not sick.
Around the yard, our rhubarb is starting to make its move. Warmer temps should put it within striking distance of a pie or sauce pretty soon. A warm thundershower actually wouldn’t hurt. The rest of the garden areas are doing their thing as well. The spring bulb bed started a few years back has been a particularly bright spot. I’ve had to ask Mrs. Cheviot what a few of the things are, which I forget rather quickly, just satisfied that they look nice. Probably one of the biggest surprises was the lupines that survived the winter better than anticipated. Planted from seed last spring, they came up sporadically and looked very fragile all summer. By fall, they still looked feeble, making me think they wouldn’t make the spring. Amazingly, all nine of them made it, taking advantage of the snow cover and their sheltered spot on the south side of the house. Hopefully the bunnies will leave them alone, so they’ll blossom. We’ll get to see what color the flowers are, then the bumblebees can have a crack at them.
Poppy continues to enjoy spring and discovering her limits. Digging holes has become a popular Corgi pastime. Not so popular with us humans. A recent introduction to the electric fence once it was charged put a screeching halt to her crawling under it. More like a yelping halt actually. Another one of those teachable moments on a small livestock operation. The lawn will soon need mowing and there are plenty of reminders of what Poppy was up to much of the winter: chewing things up and, once through her digestive track, depositing the remnants in the yard. Should be a colorful summer mowing lawn, seeing it fly out the chute. Let’s see, that was blue fabric. Must’ve been the blanket from the couch. Orange? That must’ve been from the cloth Frisbee that lasted less than an hour. Fluorescent green? Not exactly sure which toy that might’ve been, but betting it’s not grass.
See you next week…real good then.