February is a busy month; Time to get ready for spring activity.

Byline: Paul Rogers 

COLUMN: ROOTS OF WISDOM

Now that we have survived the wintry month of January, what can we expect from this leap-year month of February?

There is a great deal that we do not know about February weather, but there is much written in the sky that is unchangeable from one February to the next. Also, based on history, we can make several assumptions that should prove to be accurate more than 50 percent of the time.

The name of the month comes from the Latin februum, meaning purification. The word is taken from the purification ritual on Feb. 15 of the old Roman calendar. February continues to be a month loaded with events and observations. There's American Heart Month, Black History Month, Library Lover's Month, and Groundhog Day, Lincoln's birthday and Valentine's Day.

On Feb. 29, the Flower and Patio Show , formerly known as the Central Mass Spring Flower Show, opens in the DCU Center and continues through March 2. Sadie Hawkins Day, when women are permitted to propose to men, also is Feb. 29.

What else do we know about February?

It is, or should be, the last month of winter in which the temperature averages less than 32 degrees. It is likely to be a snowy and cold month (no surprise there). The month started with a daylength 1 minute short of 10 hours. By the end of the month, we will enjoy an additional (almost) hour and one-quarter. The rapid gain in daylight occurs because each daylength is 2 to 3 minutes longer than the previous day. The additional daylength occurs almost equally between sunrise and sunset; thus, early risers and sunset watches will be equally pleased. The full moon, the Snow Moon, shines down Feb. 20. Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 5, ends the Mardi Gras celebration and ushers in Ash Wednesday, Feb. 6.

Spring will arrive, officially, in seven weeks. Less than two months before the pace seriously quickens is not a lot of time. This interval needs to be fully utilized in our preparations for spring. Have you researched the yard improvements that you intend to do? Are you adding outdoor living aspects, such as patios, decks or secret gardens? Will you be making greater use of containers this year? Is the vegetable and herb garden going to be expanded so as to increase the supply of healthy foods? Do you need to develop screen plantings or build a shady seating area?

The wish list can be almost endless, but it is necessary to be realistic. Only so much time, energy and funds are available. Should portions or entire tasks be turned over to others? If so, contacts and contracts must be forged and timelines agreed upon.

If you're undecided about the kind of structure you want to build or surfacing materials to use, visit flower shows to get ideas. Speak to designers and contractors who perform this kind of work. Also, read books that either tell you how to do the job, or the ones that are filled with pictures of finished projects.