Keep your eyes open for classic signs of spring
By Christina Reed
The Hired Pen
Eastern Sierra, CA
Classic eastern Sierra spring—is there such a thing? It’s early in spring, and March is a windy month, but there are some signs of spring that present themselves in our towns. And, not all at once. Keep your eyes open!
The eastern Sierra is bountiful in many ways, and instead of 30 story, high rise-buildings, we have the Sierra Nevada mountain range, our version of “skyscrapers.” It’s easy to see nearly 75 miles, all the way to Nevada’s state line, in one direction, and to the highest and lowest points in the contiguous 48-state, United States, at other compass points.
Springtime brings animals coming out of hibernation. People tending to early gardening matters. Blossoms on hard wood trees, like apricots, peaches, pears, cherry, plum, and apples. Bright yellow daffodils, and other bulbs and flowers coming to life, out of the ground. Lime green leaves on willows, and new pasture land with streaming riverlets. Springtime is a great time to check in with local gardening centers, which are bringing their early flowers and trees to the outdoors, as the harshness of winter fades, somewhat. It’s still too early to think about putting tomatoes in the ground, but other cold-friendly vegetables, like carrots, radishes, lettuce, and spinach can tolerate the early spring temperatures.
The old farmers have some ideas about planting vegetables based on observing what’s going on in nature around them. When daffodils blossom, old-timers say, it’s safe to plant carrots, and beets. Time to plant bush beans when your apple trees blossom. And, in our neck of the woods, you can plant squash, when the lilacs are in bloom. This is called the study of phenology, or natural observation of phenomena in your own back and front yards. Some plants need to be started or kept inside for a bit longer, and not set out before the last frost. And, planting marigolds around in the garden keeps pests away from your crops.
Rites of Spring Passage
Highlights for this year’s springtime events include:
Church for the Sierras Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, March 30, 9 a.m.-11:00 a.m., at Brown’s Town Campground, Bishop, CA.
Easter Eggs Hunts in Big Pine, Sunday, March 31, from 12 p.m.-3 p.m.
The Elks’ Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday, March 31, from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. At the Elks’ Park, Bishop, CA. This event features free hot dogs and drinks for the kids, and “special eggs,” with some nice prizes.
The Museum of Western Film, in Lone Pine, CA, is hosting history movies. Join them for free movies, including Saturday evening, March 30, at 6 p.m. For “Migration.”
Mammoth Mountain’s crazy annual Pond Skim, Main Lodge, runs into the icy waters on Sunday, April 14, with all of its wackiness.
The Owens’ Lake Bird Festival takes flight April 19-21, 2024, Lone Pine, CA. Owens Lake.
Toss a line in at the Lone Pine Trout Derby, Saturday, April 27, from 6 a.m.-3 p.m.
It’s the annual Fishmas Celebration, Saturday, April 27, at dawn, as the fishing season gets started in the eastern Sierra.
Celestial celebrations include the Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, April 21, looking towards the Pisces constellation, with its glowing green and red aura. It’s an event happening every 71 years, next time, 2095.
¡Enhorabuena!