April 15-21, 2013

Although we are accustomed to separate nature and human perception into two realms they are, in fact, indivisible. Before it can ever be a repose for the senses, landscape is the work of the mind. Its scenery is built up as much from strata of memory as from layers of rock. Environment then is as much the mental as it is the physical.

-Simon Schama

The Apple Blossom Moon waxes throughout the week, entering its second phase at 7:31 a.m. April 18. Rising near midday and setting in the middle of the night, this moon moves overhead in the evening.

Lunar position is especially favorable for angling near suppertime, as the cold fronts of April 16 and 21 push down the barometric pressure.

Plant flowers and vegetables that will produce their fruit above the ground throughout the coming week, especially under Cancer on April 15-18.

This week’s lunar phase may promote easier discussions with significant others and children. Training of pets and livestock may produce more results, as well.

On April 20, Cross-Quarter Day (the halfway mark between equinox and solstice), the sun enters its late spring sign of Taurus.

April 18 is a major pivot point in the progress of spring. Beginning that day, there is a consistent chance for an afternoon in the 80s – the first time such a thing has occurred since the middle of  October. April 18 brings 80s temperatures 15 percent of the time, 70s in 5 percent, 60s in 45 percent, 50s in 20 percent and 40s or 30s just 15 percent of the time.

April 19 is one more pivot day: From that time forward, a high temperature of lower than 40 degrees is unlikely until Oct. 19.

And after April 20, the steady advance of middle spring cold waves stagnates. The regular pattern of fronts changes and long periods of stable, mild weather encourage the advent of full sprouting and foliage growth. High temperatures almost always reach 70 at least once or twice in a week.

April 15: Throughout the region, the middle of April is sweet Cicely blooming time. Transplant some to your pasture in order to increase your milk yield, and don’t forget to sprout or set new parsley for the yard and garden. Then keep track of your increasing milk yield when you feed your does and ewes fresh parsley every day.

April 16: After the mid-April cold front, a major increase in the average daily amount of sunlight often occurs; a rise from early April’s 50/50 chance for sun or clouds, up to a brighter 70 percent chance for clear to partly cloudy conditions.

April 17: Be alert for a change in odor in the barn that might be related to disease. Disinfect the area if necessary, and maybe put a little lime around to keep down the odors; then, start going after the flies.

April 18: When you see the first monarch butterflies in your garden, and the iris start to bud, that’s the time to go out to the fields looking for armyworms, slugs, corn borers, flea beetles and leafhoppers.

April 19: Putting animal skins to use might be one more way to diversify your homestead operation. When an animal is butchered or dies, think about tanning the hide yourself or sending it to a tanner.

April 20: The canopy of leaves closes rapidly now, with maples and box elders coming in. Sometimes the sun gets ahead of the size of your leaves, however, bringing sunburn or overheating to livestock ordinarily “safe” in the shade during the summer.

Along the Gulf coast, trees already offer full protection; in the green pastures of the border states and along the Canadian border, however, animals may still get more sunshine than you bargain for.

April 21: The steady advance of the year’s cold waves slows, and relatively long periods of stable weather encourage the advent of full spring growth; however, the second major tornado period of the month begins now, lasting in most years until April 27.

 

Listen to “Poor Will’s Radio Almanack” on podcast anytime at www.wyso.org and follow Poor Will on Twitter: @poor wilsalmanac