by Ross Clark

It feels as if this has been a winter with no let-up. As I write this, 2--4 more inches of snow will begin accumulating tonight, for the umpteenth time. The third week of January, a month past the winter solstice, is on average the coldest period of winter in our region. So, why, with this Chicago-winter-in-Kentucky winter, am I making noises about signs of spring?

Well, what else would bonsai folks be thinking of, now that we’ve not had our hardy trees to pamper for months? Don’t you have cabin fever by now? Aren’t your shears getting itchy? Hey, you’re right on time, already anticipating spring. And anticipating spring is what your plants are doing, too. For them, spring is already beginning.

Barely over a month ago, the length of a day at this latitude (about 37o45’N) reached its yearly minimum of 9 hours, 31 minutes. Today, in late January, the day was 10 hours and 7 minutes long, and day length now is increasing by almost two minutes per day.

The reason you’re thinking about spring is that it’s built into your genes. Spring also is built into your trees’ genes. Just as you are, but with different physiology, your trees are sensing the diminishing of nights’ length. It will continue until late June. And, as this nadir of winter passes, longer photoperiods will cause soil temperatures to rise. Dormancy will lighten, and roots will become active.

If you haven’t given it much thought before, now is the time to focus on spring. Check the pots of the half-hardy trees in your unheated garage more frequently, because they will begin to dry out more quickly in late winter, long before growth begins. Now, before roots become active and buds begin to swell, is the time to get your soil mixes ready, and plan which pot to match up with each tree to be repotted. Another basic reason why “now is the time” is that outdoor trees have been in deep dormancy for quite a while, and have had more than enough cold treatment to release them from dormancy. Consequently, even a short warm-up of an outdoor wintering bed may start the process of rehydration and bud expansion. After this long and dreary winter, when things begin to move, they could move very quickly. Be proactive.

Oh, baloney. --Better make that 3--6 inches of snow They’ve just updated the forecast!