The strange non-winter in Ironwood County has slid into an early spring. Some over at Bill's Café believe we'll have a wet April, some a dry, and a few think we'll yet have a wet, heavy snow before we see summer.
The apple trees are also showing signs of life early. Coddling moths will be out in force, along with other insects such as apple maggots. Local author John Schreiber swears by the old farmers' coddling moth trap: a banana peel, a cup of sugar, and a cup of apple vinegar poured into a gallon milk jug and filled with water. Hang it from the tree and you'll get rid of coddling moths. He's experimented with a half-recipe and a half-gallon and says it works just as well. He also says the best thing for apple maggots are "footies" or apple maggot barriers. Combining the traps and the footies ensures completely organic and quality apples.
