Spring Sprouts in the Mid-Ohio Valley

Happy Vernal Equinox, folks! Yesterday, March 20, 2025, the sun struts its stuff directly over the equator, giving us nearly equal day and night—nature’s way of saying, “Hey, let’s split the bill.” This cosmic balancing act marks the first day of spring, and for us in the Mid-Ohio Valley, it’s the green light to get our gardening game on.

In our little slice of Ohio River paradise, the equinox isn’t just a fancy word for “Yay, no more snow (hopefully).” It’s when the soil wakes up from its winter nap, and the last frost starts packing its bags—though it might linger like an unwelcome guest until mid-April. Gardeners here know the drill: now’s the time to plant cool-season champs like peas, spinach, and lettuce. These tough cookies laugh in the face of a chilly morning, unlike your tomatoes, which are still sulking indoors under grow lights.

The Mid-Ohio Valley’s rolling hills and quirky microclimates mean you’ve got to play it smart. Stick a shovel in the ground—if it’s workable and not a muddy mess, you’re golden. Pro tip: appease the garden gods with a coffee-ground offering (compost, not a latte). With longer days and the sun finally showing up to work, your plants will be strutting their stuff by May—assuming the deer don’t turn your plot into an all-you-can-eat buffet first.

So, grab your trowel, channel your inner farmer, and let’s make the most of this equinox. Spring’s here, and in the Mid-Ohio Valley, that means dirt under your nails and a harvest worth bragging about.