This is pruning weather
- Subject: This is pruning weather
- From: E*@aol.com
- Date: Sun, 23 Feb 2003 13:20:23 EST
We have some above freezing temperatures plus some more rain on top of the
tons of snow. The best snowmen are made in this weather and in the Feb.
winter break with the ten year old, soldiers are now lining part of our
driveway. At 7 or 8 it was Mom, Dad and kids. Now it is soldiers from TV.
My grandfather, mostly a grumpy old guy, carried a pruning knife and a small
stone with him most of the time. I have always admired the European skill
with a knife in the garden, I use pruners or secateurs. I cannot get the
hang of a small sharp pruning knife. The same knife made the grafts.
He would trudge around about now, on a day above freezing, look over the
shrubs and judge the trees while leafless and make the cuts. The branches
fell and were left for the real spring snowless days to clear up. He made a
slash on trees that marked his property lines. He marked the trees to come
down.
Following him around, occasionally he would make a slingshot, a whistle, a
bow and arrow or a figure eight thing which was a puzzle. All done with that
knife and some willow or birch. We will have this snow for a long time yet
and probably more as well. Just thought I would throw in the pruning thing.
Something useful can be done on late February and early March days. Also
kids can shown a few tricks. Along the Hudson River are apple orchards and
the pruning is being done there now.
A bountiful maple season is being forecast. Lately the sugarhouses have open
days and some serve a breakfast on weekends. Another great kid's treat.
Clearly, we in our house, are looking for positive winter thoughts with a
snowy week forecast. The lengthening days are producing, earlier news from
Linda, slight green hazes on the willows and red hazes on the swamp or red
maples. How they can go on in weather amazes me but does show the native is
not put off by this record nasty winter.
Claire Peplowski
NYS z4
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