Between

Between winter and spring there is a time on the farm when you can't do much, and what you do is difficult. This is when the frost is coming out of the ground. Because of the cold February, we had about 2 feet of frost in the ground in most places. It usually takes alternating rainy and warm days over several weeks to completely thaw out the ground. It usually melts from the top down. While the frost is leaving, you have a layer of mud on a layer of ice. Everywhere you drive in the driveways, yards, or lots you can create ruts down to the frost line. The roads get mushy, so the Road Commissioners post very restrictive weight limits. We can't haul grain, manure, or drive heavy equipment on the road. We need to be careful getting feed, seed, and supplies shipped in. The semi truck that picks up our hogs can't come to the farm, so we take small loads and meet him at the highway and transfer them. As you drive down the road on warm days, you can feel your car bog down on the soft spots. Sometimes the pavement breaks up and the roads get really rough.

So we wait for solid roads and fields, which we know will come when spring is truly here to stay.