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Crazy March weather this past week here in Central Missouri. We went from flip-flops and t-shirts to mukluks and parkas in less than 24hrs. Still have some snow on the ground.

I did remember to disconnect the hoses and shut the water off to the outdoor hose faucets, but I DIDN’T remember to check the propane tank. Woke up to 57° in the house this morning. Fortunately the propane supplier we use actually cares about their customers - the truck was here in less than 30 minutes after I called to let them know the tank was dry. It’s nice and warm in here now.

I haven’t been out to check the seedlings in my greenhouse since the cold snap hit but I don’t have any heat going out there so it’s probably not going to be good. With two nights of sub-20° temps I expect my orchard trees will be taking a break from fruit production this year. The plum trees were almost to full bloom, pears weren’t far behind. Apples and peaches were close to bud break. Mrs. Augie’s magnolia tree had a few buds opening so it will be kaput too.

Good Neighbor Tanner ran a trapline in my woods over the weekend. He removed 12 raccoons in three nights. Two of them moved to my buddy Nick’s freezer. Four of them moved to my freezer, and two are having a nice sauna treatment in the slow roaster today. We’re hoping that will allow the few wild turkeys left around a better chance at raising some babies this spring.

I’m ten days away from the next round of injections in my back. I went straight back to work after the last round, which probably wasn’t a great idea. This time I’m playing the FMLA card and taking an extended break from work. I can take up to 12 weeks off and I intend to use it all. I’m hoping that will give my back enough time to actually heal up a bit so I can come back with renewed vigor and finish up a few pet projects before I pull the trigger on retirement.

Howard had another good week. I had to laugh at him when Nick and I were butchering coons Saturday afternoon. He was mightily confused about all of his buddies being in a pile on the garage floor, but aside from that he didn’t seem to care a bit about what we were doing to them. I tossed him a hide to play with - he sniffed it, gave me a “What am I supposed to do with this?” look, and went on his merry way. I guess they aren’t much fun when they don’t try to run away.

I received notice this morning that my garden seeds and asparagus crowns are on the way from Jung’s. I flagged all of the spots in the asparagus row where the crowns that were planted last spring didn’t survive before I covered the row with compost. I should be able to make short work of filling in the skips once the package arrives. I ordered more than I needed to fill those spots so I can extend the row with whatever is left over. I should wind up with around 70 crowns by the time it’s all said and done. That should be enough to keep a couple old people swimming in asparagus for as long as we’re able to go out and pick it.

Good news, all around!

Re: Howard. Our Walker Dogs are less than interested in dead coons, too. It’s not just Howard. :)

I’m expanding my Asparagus patch, too - adding a second bed of the stuff - we love it so much and it’s also part of my plan to make the garden more self-sufficient and less work for me.

Man, I miss my 40’ row of asparagus at the other farm. That was SUCH a treasure - and a good selling point when the time came; we sold that place in less than a week! :)

Glad you’re taking time off for your back. Don’t over-do it at home, though! Slow and steady. ;)

Tell Mrs. Augie I’m not expecting much from my Magnolia this season, either. It was at bud break two days ago, then we had our ‘Blizzard to end All Blizzards’ (5 inches - Whoopie!) and now a few days of teens, so it may have been harmed, too. My fruit trees managed to behave themselves and not be fooled by the False Spring we had in February and some of early March - but that remains to be seen, too.