What a way to welcome spring

The power is back up across most of southern Maine and the sound of chainsaws can be heard in the air. I was surprised at the number of really big trees that were blown right over.

We got pretty lucky, I think. The cedars in the back lost some big branches and the last of the sumacs fell too. Nothing hit the house or the cars and we ended up with some nice branches to add to the brush pile fence across the back of the yard (which is a story for another time).

At the worst point in the storm, 127,000 people in Maine were without power and CMP had to replace 325 utility poles. Now, it's all bright blue skies and comfortable temperatures. I haven't checked the soil temperature yet but I was able to shove a stick pretty far into the raised beds. That means that Monday's job is to turn in the winter rye and get ready for another growing season.

In theory, winter rye is supposed to break down fairly quickly. I've never done this before, so we'll see how long it really takes.

Let the gardening begin!