Spring Cleaning in the Country
We ‘sprang forward’ with our clocks for daylight savings time, and we know that spring is around the corner. As you know, we have to winterize the house; so now we have to get prepared for spring and summer. The tradition of spring cleaning doesn’t just blossom from the pent up energy of being confined indoors for the last several months. Indeed it is a vital ritual that ensures good health and productivity for the year to come for animals and people alike.
There are, of course, the obvious things like taking down the snow fence. Here I recommend to look at our website www.countryforcity.com and our post Building a Reusable Snow Fence, and just reverse the process. It takes half an hour and your can store the roles of snow fence material for the summer.
There are, of course, the obvious things like taking down the snow fence. Here I recommend to look at our website www.countryforcity.com and our post Building a Reusable Snow Fence, and just reverse the process. It takes half an hour and your can store the roles of snow fence material for the summer.
Other chores will include turning on water and hoses, repairing plowing damage, picking up downed branches, clearing trails blocked by winter felled trees, spreading wood ash from the winter’s home fires, dismounting our snow plow, storing the snowblower, repairing/starting chainsaws, mowers, trimmers, and planning firewood for cutting in 2-3 years (fortunately due to logging we have several years close to the house).
Hopefully our farmer was able to get into our snow covered hay fields to spread fertilizer. We prefer he uses chicken manure, which can’t be spread until everything thaws out. It is superior to chemicals as it it is rich in calcium and organic nitrogen and other nutrients, but the smell of freshly spread chicken manure can be overbearing for a couple weeks! Unfortunately, with the economic closings of so many of the chicken farms in our area, it is getting very hard to come by in bulk now. With the advent of ever bigger farming equipment though, it is easy for the farmers to get into even deeply snow covered fields to spread chemical fertilizers, so they like to get this chore out of the way before the spring thaw crushes them with endless chores.
After the loggers came two years ago, we extended our lawns behind the house. Those lawns are surrounded by trees and get a thick carpet of leaves in the fall. In order to help the grass along, we always go there in the spring to chop up the leaves with the lawnmower before the grass starts to grow. It makes such a difference with the young grass that has not established itself.
After the loggers came two years ago, we extended our lawns behind the house. Those lawns are surrounded by trees and get a thick carpet of leaves in the fall. In order to help the grass along, we always go there in the spring to chop up the leaves with the lawnmower before the grass starts to grow. It makes such a difference with the young grass that has not established itself.
Redpoll Another things we always do, is emptying the ash barrel. Making a fire in our wood stove almost every day, fills up the ash barrel. Those ashes are a natural fertilizer. We spread them over the fields and our garden and give back to nature something very natural.
We also sweep our roofs. Yes, there you find the traces of winter. Little twigs and lots of pine needles. Those needles, if not removed, will form a moist layer and eventually rot the shingles.
Having a pond is great, but also the pond needs a little care. Our little bridge over the spillway lost three boards over the winter. Repairs are in order to keep it reliable. Of course, we have to check our staircase into the water. Who knows what the ice did to it.
Due to our bird feeders, which we keep filled during the winter, our bird population is growing. The chickadees are on the feeder already even before I can put it up. But we have to consider also the other birds that return from their stay in warmer climates in the south and make their way up to us. There are also those that just pass through without staying. It will be very lively in the spring and it is fun to see.
We also sweep our roofs. Yes, there you find the traces of winter. Little twigs and lots of pine needles. Those needles, if not removed, will form a moist layer and eventually rot the shingles.
Having a pond is great, but also the pond needs a little care. Our little bridge over the spillway lost three boards over the winter. Repairs are in order to keep it reliable. Of course, we have to check our staircase into the water. Who knows what the ice did to it.
Due to our bird feeders, which we keep filled during the winter, our bird population is growing. The chickadees are on the feeder already even before I can put it up. But we have to consider also the other birds that return from their stay in warmer climates in the south and make their way up to us. There are also those that just pass through without staying. It will be very lively in the spring and it is fun to see.
Photo Credit: Burd Janet Of course, the birds and animals we share our home with will also commence their spring cleaning traditions to stay healthy and productive for the year. We humans have vacuum cleaners and other tools to ensure that we rid ourselves of the parasites and germs that may have built up in our homes during the winter. A lost tradition of beating your carpets in the spring comes to mind), but all over the world spring meant dragging bedding and clothes out into the fresh air and disinfecting UV rays of the sun. Larders and root cellars would be swept out and aired. Washing machines and cleaning liquids have replaced these spring chores.
But animals do the same kinds of things for the same reasons. Spring cleaning rituals are just as important to them as well! On a warm, breezy day each spring, I get a kick out of seeing puffing clouds of dust shooting out of the butternut tree in front of our house. The newly awakened red squirrels are throwing out last year’s bedding so as to get rid of mites or flea eggs.
California Bay Laurel In fact, many birds and rodents practice what we- and biologists, call ‘fumigation’! At the start of the spring breeding season, these creatures spruce up the interiors of their homes with strongly aromatic leaves that are full of volatile chemicals, making for good insecticides, fungicides and antibacterials. One such favored leaf is flea bane, known to ancient herbalists for its flea repellent properties. California bay laurel is used by wood rats for the same reason, and early entomologists would put it in jars to kill insect specimens. One field biologist removed fresh bay leaves from a starling's nest and discovered it was quickly overrun by mites.
Osha Root Kodiak and brown bears similarly self-medicate. They dig up osha roots, chew them and then rub the paste into their pelts. Perhaps by observing nature, the Navajo indians also use osha paste as an antibacterial and anesthetic salve. All these behaviors evolved without knowledge of germ theory! All through nature, animals can be observed making use of toxic insects and plants as prophylactics against parasites and disease carrying agents. We aren’t really doing anything different.
And then there is the muted red hue of the trees as buds begin to swell in the grey treetops. After the winter they start with this delicate glow, and ease into the little leaves, that shine more yellow than green in the sunlight. Week by week it becomes more visible and more green. Other trees, like our red maple, have an almost pinkish to red glow which then turns to a darker red.
But also the pine trees grow and form their cones. When the new pine needles have formed, you see those thick clouds of yellow pollen swirling around. Sometimes my lawnmower has this layer of yellow on it.
Now we are ready for the spring and warmer weather and I do not want to wait around!
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