Even when all my body sleeps
I shall remember yet
The wistfulness that April keeps
When boughs at dusk are wet
Louis Ginsberg (1895-1976)

Weather watch: Fair and mild (1,2,3) turning cloudy and warmer (4,5). Showers in the north, storms (some severe) in the south (6,7,8). Fair and cooler (9,10,11) with more showers then severe storms (12,13,14). Fair and mild once again (15,16,17,18,19) with storms in the north and showers in the south (20,21,22). Fair and mild (23,24,25,26,27), remaining fair and warmer (28,29,30).

Tornado watch: Tthe almanack sees no tornado activity in the mid-atlantic region during the month of April.

Full moon: April's full moon rises at 5:25am on the 20th. Native Americans often referred to it as pink moon because of the many flowers and trees that turn pink and bloom during the month of April. It is also has been known as Fish moon because fishing started to pick up as the weather warms.

Holidays: Rogation Sunday is observed on aril 27th.

The garden: Spring has been officially here since march 21st and the weather will be getting warmer soon. Begin planting indoor seedlings outdoors. Harden them off first with several short days outside. Fertilize winter planted vegetables early in the month and after any danger of frost, begin planting warm season vegetables. Be on the look out for tent caterpillars and their webs and get rid of them before they spread. Keep an eye out for other pests such as slugs and snails, especially if spring is cool and wet. Get the lawn ready by treating it with pre-emergent crabgrass killer right after forsythia bloom and don't forget to do an all-points check on the old lawn mower. Sharpen or replace dull, worn blades, install new spark plug, clean or replace the air filter, and change the oil. Fill it up with gas and be sure to check the pull cord (if manual start) for any undue wear. Replace it immediately if frayed.

J. Grubers' Thought for Today's Living:

"A true friend offers a helping hand without expecting thanks in return"