We’re sixteen days away from the official start of spring as folks will further their commitments to lawns, gardens and flower beds.  Many will consult the Farmer’s Almanac and additional publications from LSU’s Agriculture Department.  Some gardeners attest to the importance of the moon phases in assisting plant growth.  Every 28 days our moon advances through four phases: new moon, first quarter, full moon and the dark of the moon or fourth quarter. During the first two phases, a larger appearing moon is referred to as waxing while the waning moon transfers from full to new.  Gardeners contend that a waxing moon not only gravitationally pulls the oceans but all objects containing water for planting above-ground crops. Reversing the water cycle, below ground crops respond to a waning moon. From the moon to expected wet weather this week. Familiar weather expressions include “frog stranglers” and “gully washers” for heavy showers.  Another reference to flooding rain is the adage, “It’s gonna come a stump-floater and a gully washer.”  Our ancestors may have referred to an approaching episode of rain with, “It’s comin’ up a cloud!”  The mention, “It’s raining pitchforks and plow handles,” meant extremely hard rain. A comment to thunder may have found folks saying, “God’s tater wagon turned over!” or “The angels are bowling…” A more familiar verse for windy weather is, “It was blowing to beat the band.” “She is batting her eyes like a frog in a hail storm,” has dual meanings: She is trying hard to stay awake or she’s flirting. “The Devil’s getting married,” references a shining sun and simultaneous rain.