Winter Spring

Well what a wonderful thought to contemplate. I was out yesterday trying to get the grounds equipment organized and ready for some work out on the grounds next week. On the way home I got a call from someone wanting me to stop by today and evaluate their home turf as it has been declining over the last several years and is looking very thin. The kind of call I like best because it is always challenging to diagnose problems and come up with a solution.

Normally I would be excited about these activities but then a Notice from the National Weather Service. A winter storm watch is in effect from late tonight until Friday evening. Potential snow fall in our area 6″ to 8″ Yeah!!!! that is the way to start spring. I really hope that the storm track changes in the next 12 hours because I prefer the thought of some rain especially now.

I am not being greedy in wanting no snow I am actually more concerned abut the poor Easter Bunny. It is hard enough having to tote all those eggs around but to do it and then have to carry a snow shovel as well to hide them now that is going to slow him down a bit.

The other consideration is that a wet snow at this time could cause a lot of problems for trees and shrubs by weighing down the branches and causing them to split or snap. Not to mention what it will do to the budget. This has certainly been a rough winter here at the Urban Garden weather wise. The City of Chicago is already spent 20 million dollars more than it budgeted in snow removal . We are not spending that kind of money but at 30 call outs and over 19 inches more snow than average we certainly have not spent this kind of money on a snow season in over 10 years. This is not so much a problem for me and the grounds crew as we know when snow comes we have to remove it. The current administration on the other hand has not been through a snow season like this and I am sure the mounting cost is not helping them keep their budget in order. It is easily cost us at least twice what we normally spend for snow and ice abatement this year. Hopefully we will all be sleeping through the night tonight but in Chicago the only thing certain is if you don’t like the weather stick around foe 10 minutes because it is sure to change.