Frost in the middle of April

Lore in the valley says that when the mesquites leaf out, there will be no more freezing temperatures. Obviously, this is an urban (perhaps I should say "rural") legend. Mesquites have been leafing out for about a week, and yesterday we had a storm that brought 0.3" of moisture in the form of fat water at the WD, and as snow in the Chiricahuas, and last night it froze. Tomato, pepper, and cantaloupe plants were ferried from the cold frame to the garage.

Nonetheless, it is spring here today, and plants are blooming in the desert. Everything understated and low by the ground, but it's there if you look.

Two plants not so unobtrusive are the ocotillos, which are budding out to help out in the hummingbird migration, and the banana yuccas. Dan had told me that he had seen lots of yucca blooms, but when we went for a hike this morning most of them had already been eaten by the deer.

Temperatures are forecast to be in the upper 80's later this week. I must admit, I am looking forward to it.