January Thaw in February

We haven't been UP here long enough to really know what is normal weather and what is not. But from what we understand, there is "always" a thaw in January.

We didn't see a single day in January even approach 30 degrees, much less get above freezing. But it's finally happened. Even our overnight low was above freezing last night, and we are in the 40's right now!

Needless to say, we will not even try to do lessons until the children get tired of sledding through the slush and playing baseball on our long-lost driveway. (There's gravel under there!)

I was talking to the nice lady at the post office (the one who knows EVERYBODY'S name and address off the top of her head- amazing!) and she said she even starts corn indoors around the end of February or by mid-March. I never knew you could do that. Of course, I do not have any growlights, but I might be able to at least set up a table under our large, south facing window in the living room. Hey, it might work.

I gotta say, this winter has seemed really long for me. It has not been easy to adjust to the climate up here, so very different from southern Alabama! Can't start thinking too much about spring yet... last year it was May before we finally saw the snow disappear...

Building Garden Beds

First we put together some simple frames four feet wide by about seven feet long. We just used "scrap" lumber that's been in the garage. We found enough to make three beds to start with.


We opened up paper grocery bags, wet them, and used them to cover the grass inside the frame. Then we started digging around the outside of the frame, putting this grassy-side down inside to cover the paper.


Mary stayed with us to keep an eye on things.

A garden's best friends- earthworms! We found dozens of them as we turned the sod over.

We only got one bed filled in like this today; luckily the weather will be okay again tomorrow!
Our work for the day earned Mary's approval!