Snow in March?

The weather has been beautiful and gardeners are itching to get planting, but as discussed on Monday's The Family Plot, it's still too early to sow summer seeds.  In fact, the two biggest snowfalls in Memphis were both in March!

The biggest snowfall on record was March 16-17, 1892 when Mother Nature deposited 18 inches of snow.  

Some of us will remember March 22, 1968, when 16.5 inches fell.  And as recently as 2008, Memphians received an impressive seven inches of snow on March 7.

Historically, twelve snowfalls have been recorded in March!

In case you missed the show, here it is:

The Family Plot: Gardening in the Mid-South

Dr. Chris Cooper

We already know Dr. Chris Cooper as walking horticultural encyclopedia, entertaining speaker and pianist extraordinaire.  Now we can add television personality to the list!

Beginning Monday, March 28 at 6:30 pm, Chris will host a new show on WKNO-TV called The Family Plot: Gardening in the Mid-South.  The show will appear weekly through early October.  Chris will invite local experts to chat with him about various aspects of gardening in our area.  At times, he will take us on field trips to close-by gardening destinations.  Each show will also include a Q&A segment when Chris will answer questions sent to the show by viewers via email at familyplot@wkno.org.

On the inaugural show airing March 28, we will be introduced to guests Mike Dennison, Cathy Faust, and Genie Ashworth.  Mike is the former director of the Shelby County Extension Service and will be the show's co-host.  Cathy is the current Shelby County Extension Director.  She will give an overview of the services provided by the Extension Service.  Genie is the current president of the Memphis Area Master Gardeners and will talk about the impact that our volunteers make in Shelby County through our various activities.

Also on the program schedule:  garden "must-do's" for late March/early April.

Tell your friends!  Set your alarm!  Program your recorder!

If you miss the show at 6:30, don't despair.  It will air again at Monday night at 11:00pm.