Warm, dry weather for much of last week dried the garden soil for planting of early season crops. The warmth also accelerated the blooming of spring flowers. Daffodils are peaking and Spring Beauty, Purple Trillium, Trout Lily and Dutchman's Breeches flowers are abundant in the woods. Marsh Marigolds are flowering in the swamps. Maple trees are sprouting flowers and leaves and birches have developed catkins. My plum and cherry trees are blossoming and apple and pear trees are sprouting leaves. Raspberry canes are also sprouting new leaves. Multiple Canada Geese are incubating eggs on Cheshire Lake and dozens of Painted Turtles were sunning themselves on floating logs. Snapping turtles are out searching for mates. Nearly 2 inches of warm rain yesterday has saturated the ground and turned the lawns and fields a brighter shade of green. The first black flies are starting to annoy.