How to Enjoy Mud Season

While we have hung up our skis and snowshoes and do not want to trample the trails while waiting for hiking season, we can walk about the neighborhood and back roads to take note of Spring miraculously unfolding. Walking is the best way to give full attention to the amazing events taking place.

The tiny yellow flower now seen if you look is Coltsfoot, one of the earliest wildflower to bloom. It seems to favor roadside ditches and banks with the worst looking soil. It's stem is short and not at all green. When blooming is done, green leaves in the shape of a colts foot will appear.

Garlic mustard is another interesting plant now. The leaves are thumbnail size and delicious in a salad or sandwich. Pick all you want. There is an endless supply. In fact, look close. You will see tiny baby garlic mustard plants near by. Lots of them. Each has two round leaves the size of pinheads.

​It is fun to try to guess what plants you are seeing when noticing the variety of new green leaves. Often you can find last year's dried stem and flower head to provide clues.

Besides looking on the ground to marvel at all that is springing forth, look up at the trees. Can you identify the tree by its flowering habit or tight leaf buds? You can always check later when they leaf out.

​Margie March