The calendar may tell farmers and gardeners to get out and start planting, but that's impossible right now.
The late-season cold and snow is wreaking havoc with New Hampshire's growing season.
If Abby Wiggin of Wake Robin Farm had her way, her plants would already be in the ground.
"Last year, we planted peas on March 21," she said. "It's April 2 now, and I can't get a tiller out in the field."
It's the same in fields across the state. Some farms are two to three weeks behind schedule. Home gardeners and the gardening retail business have been slow to start, too.
"As far as people coming in to shop, we're two weeks behind," said Beth Simpson of Rolling Green Nursery.
At Rolling Green Nursery, the winter blankets covering outdoor perennials are just now being rolled up, a week or two later than normal.
The greenhouse plants are on track, although the extra cold nights and a lack of sunshine have slowed some a bit. Farmers said the sense is that after the long, cold winter, there's a pent-up demand to see color and eat fresh produce.
"If you farm in New England, you just have to take it in stride," Wiggin said. "Some years are colder than others. I'm not worried by any means. It's just going to be late."
Experts said a few warmer-than-normal weeks could make a big difference.
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