Early spring is here. Immediately followed by late winter. Whiplash weather, but what’s really scary is when we get early summer. Not this year, yet, but the trend is unsettling because of what’s possible if too many trees die from drought (or pine beetle).
Trees aren’t just the lungs of the earth, they also are what helps move moisture inland from the ocean. Their cycles of inhalation and release of water vapor create clouds which creep along jet streams into the interior of continents. If a drought takes out sections of that biochain, then those of us in the middle of the landmass better hope we get rain (and snow!) from other directions. From all directions in a gentle patter because if the whiplash continues and drought leads to hydrophobic soil followed by deluge then more nutrients in the topsoil will end up washed away downstream and some algae will be very happy.
Or whatever but the low tonight is supposed to be 15 degrees and yesterday it was in the 60’s. Later this week it’s supposed to be almost 80. The moisture today gives me hope. Too many days with unrelenting heat and the trees will suffer. The annuals won’t germinate. They might not germinate anyway but I’m under mandate to be optimistic so let’s expect pasque flower, and wild strawberry. Sunflowers and echinacea. Butterfly weed and milkweed.