From the honking of returning geese, to the sight of dog walkers out in droves, signs of spring abound in central Alberta.
Although the first day of this new milder season comes with a caveat (it won’t mean much if more snow falls in mid-April), mental health advocates believe the longer daylight hours this time of year are a boon.
People with seasonal affected disorder, in particular, can fall into a deep funk during the short days of December and January.
While it might seem counter-intuitive, data from the Canadian Mental Health Association shows that more depressed people are seeking out help as the weather warms.
Christine Stewart, executive director of the Central Alberta CMHA, believes depressed people sink into a state of emotional paralysis during the cold, dark, snowy winter.
Now that they don’t have to dig their way to cars or bus stops, these people are finally reaching out.
“Spring gives you hope,” said Stewart.
Since frigid February is over and the forecast is well above zero for most of March, she’s noticed dozens of Red Deerians outdoors, enjoying that natural shot of Vitamin D from the sun.
Many seasonal businesses are also gearing up for their biggest sales period of the year. This includes Bluegrass Sod Farms, which is increasing its labour force from 20 people to 120 people.
The company’s business support co-ordinator, Annessa Parcels, said there are 10,000 hanging baskets to grow, a 3 1/2-acre greenhouse to tend — as well as 225 acres of trees and 1,400 acres of sod to farm.
“As soon as the snow melts and the ground thaws, we’ll be getting it off the ground,” said Parcels.
Staff have been planting in the greenhouse since January to provide the colourful annuals that will go into hundreds of Red Deer yards come May. While late spring and summer is the busiest sales season, a lot of preparation has to happen now, said Parcels.
With the snow melting fast, many central Alberta farmers are also getting their seeders ready.
“They have to get all their ducks in a row,” said Quinton Beaumont, director of agriculture services for the County of Stettler. He noted May 10 is the most popular day for seeding in this area, although some farmers will try their luck as early as the end of April.
Central Alberta farmers are hoping for an earlier spring than last year, added Beaumont, as late seeding “can take away from the heat unit days you need” to bring a crop to maturity.
While a last snowfall will likely fall next month, farmers actually prefer rain this time of year, since more moisture would then sink into softer ground instead of running off frozen soil, he added.
At the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, executive director Todd Nivens was already alerted to promising signs of seasonal change — from honking Canada geese returning to the area, to a tiny spider crossing the sun-warmed trail.
Nature seems to be awakening, with more bird life — including signs of owls nesting — and spiders and insects coming out of dormancy, said Nivens.