What Did The Icy Road Say To The Car?… Wanna Go For A Spin?
I’m back home and couldn’t be happier after 6 weeks of hell in Alberta weather. Minus 20’s and 30’s with 40 mile an hour winds and those were the good days. I always remember the weather there to be cold, yes, but with brilliant sunshine and modest winds, but not this winter, even the seasoned Albertans were complaining with most days being grey and cloudy and very windy. They have received more snow so far this winter than the last two winters combined and that is good as it has been very dry there. This has caused its own problems as Albertans seem not to be able to drive in windy, snowy conditions and it was not unusual to see 3 or 4 cars in the ditches on any given day. A friend who owns a trucking company says that he has had 6 trucks go into the ditch, a record he says. This windy snowy weather is assisted by the snow removal and sanding practices. Putting what amounts to a salt shakers quantity of sand down at the intersections does not cut it.
As predicted by the Farmers Almanac we received our worst of our winter weather toward the end of January and early February and it is nice we finally received some snow. This year was the first in my experience to not have a white Christmas it felt strange and somehow wrong but it was still an enjoyable Christmas celebrated with a nice group of friends. I hope it was a good one for all of you as well! New Years was quiet as it is every year and then I was off to Alberta. The Farmers Almanac for our spring predicts we will receive a cooler March with a fair amount of rain and that our summer will be cooler that usual with the hottest weather in late July. It also predicts a late fall with September and October being warmer that usual.
This is the Year of the Snake according to Chinese Astrology. A period of transformation, renewal and growth. Those born in the Year of the Snake (1941,1953, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 20013) are considered to be mysterious, Charismatic, positive and wise. This will be a year that will see them advance in their careers, relationships and personal growth.
As Trump was born in 1946 he is obviously not in this group. This year will be a year of interesting trials and changes and many things will become more difficult and more expensive. All the more reason to plant a garden in the yard or in pots as this can truly offset higher food prices and enhance our wellbeing.
It is still too early to start most plants although you should check your seeds to see what should be planted soon. Rosemary comes to mind as it takes up to a month to germinate the seeds some flowers also needed to be started soon as well for them to be a nice size for transplanting. If you are starting your plants indoors be sure to maintain a soil temperature of 75 degrees and if you are using lights be sure to keep the lights close to the sprouts so they do not reach for the light and get leggy and weak.
I have to head back to Alberta for a very short time but will have many plants started. The idea of getting on a plane is not what I am looking forward to with all the incidents that have occurred as of late. On my way back from my last trip to Alberta we were held up for a half hour while the pilot revved the engine while we waited to take off. We were de-iced twice while watching the stewardesses first serve water and then repeat their trip down the aisle with cookies. So efficient. I finally asked the stewardess how late we would be getting to Kelowna and why the pilot hasn’t said anything to us cattle in the back. She didn’t know and still the pilot said nothing however when we did finally land in Kelowna he did apologize for our being late and told us that the de-ices used the wrong de-icing liquid on the plane and that they did it twice. As we were not de-iced a third time I guess Two Wrongs Do Make A Right!
Happy Gardening!
Samantha Nason
BS Ranch & Greenhouses
250 547 6567
sam1nason@gmail.com
