A mild Minnesota winter like the one we’re having makes one wonder if spring is nearly here. According to today’s WeatherTalk newsletter by Mark Seeley of the University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota farmers began spring planting in February once:
“Historical records show that February of 1878 was so mild that many Minnesota farmers were in their fields planting small grains (wheat, barely, oats). Soils had thawed and were not too wet to till. Many observers reported temperatures in the 40s and 50s F for half the days of the month. It is the only time in Minnesota history, that much of the state was planted in the month of February.”