Spring Is Here

As Mother Nature begins her assault on all us in Jasper County with her reign of pollen, it is almost time for my yearly column entitled “Yellow, Monticello.”

The gzillion yellow pines are just busting to send their yearly spores to every inch of our fair land. What is amazing is, you can’t get a sprig of grass to grow in certain areas of the yard, but let one tiny pine spore land in that same spot and you will get a pine tree. Staying ahead of the pine trees growing overnight is a real chore. And don’t let them get ahead of you, because a tree cutting service is very expensive.

Last week during the wind and rain storm, I could hear the pine trees groaning as they swayed back and forth. I already know what it sounds like when a tree comes crashing down onto the roof and through the ceiling, a chilling explosion.

This year we even got an earlier Spring than usual. The daffodils have already bloomed and azaleas are eager to give us a show. Sad that these beautiful bushes have flowers that do not have a hint of sweet aroma, nor do camellias and hydrangeas.

No one can criticize the red clay soil around here, because it certainly produces plenty while retaining water and nutrients. Coming from Delta country, I assumed the red stuff was not a friend to gardeners and farms, but not so.

So, enjoy probably your last week before your car and everything else is coated in the yellow stuff. Get on down to the pharmacy and pick up your decongestant while the getting is good.

Ah, Spring in Monticello!