Warmer weather last week has dried the garden soil enough to allow planting of peas and onion sets. Yesterday's very warm temperatures brought the spring peepers back to our pond along with a few tardy wood frogs. Grass is slowly turning green and daffodils continue to bloom profusely. In the woods, the first Spring Beauty and Purple Trillium flowers have opened. Trout Lily and Dutchman's Breeches have flower buds but no flowers yet. Marsh Marigolds are growing in swampy areas but have not yet flowered. Weeping willow trees are sprouting tiny green leaves and maple trees are budding. Turkeys continue gobbling and woodpeckers have started drumming to defend their territories. Woodcocks are performing their mating rituals at dawn and dusk and Red-winged Blackbirds flock to the cattails along the Hoosic River. Basset Brook and the Hoosic River flows have dropped from springtime highs. Vernal pools remain full. Hiking trails on Greylock have dried but remain muddy in normally wet sections. No black flies or mosquitoes yet but deer ticks are numerous.