Sunrise at 4:49 am, sunset at 10:48 pm for a day length just below 18 hours. We’re still gaining 7 minutes a day, and the sun at its lowest is less that 8° below the horizon. Only the brightest stars are visible, even at solar midnight (1:47 am.) At its highest, the sun is 42 ½ ° above the horizon, about 6° below the highest it ever gets..

Rhubarb near south side of house, May 6

White violets along the south side of the house

We’re still having frost at night, but almost all of the snow in my yard is gone, even in the shadow of the house. A few of the hardiest perennials are showing new growth near the south wall of the house, where it’s warmest. We’re still a ways from greenup, when the hills turn from brown to green overnight, but buds are beginning to swell, and the pussy willows are out. I’m browsing the greenhouses, but trying not to buy too much yet – while I can set things out to harden in the daytime I still have to bring them in at night, and I only have so much space in which to put them overnight. Still, it’s beginning to feel like spring. Another week, and it will never get too dark to drive.