Groundhogs may not be welcome in Maine gardens, as these veracious creatures can devour a row of peas or beans before the sun is up, but Punxsutawney Phil is a different story. Mainer’s anxiously await Phi’s arrival as a signal that spring is soon on the way.
Punxsutawney Phil, the legendary weather-predicting groundhog from Punxsutawney, PA, emerged this morning in front of tens of thousands of visitors (CBS News), only to be scared away by his shadow. According to legend, this predicts six more weeks of winter.
Mainer’s know that whether Phil sees his shadow or not, the arrival of spring in six short weeks means they can get back to the business of gardening. Although the rest of the nation may be disappointed by the news that Phil has reentered his burrow at the sight of the sun, Mainers secretly laugh and rejoice that he will return by the middle of March.
If the weather breaks in mid March in Maine, it means an early start to the gardening season, as Mainers prepare soil and get on with the business of growing green things.
Janie from central Maine says, “I hope Phil has a comfortable sleep – but he better remember my garden is off limits when he awakes!”
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