Gator says plant

Big Al the gator confirms what I have felt for weeks now ...

Spring has sprung! (at least for us 'round these parts...can't speak for all of you frozen northerners)

Gators say OK to plant now

Photo courtesy of Gator Country

What, you might ask, do gators have to do with gardening?

This time of year, everything!

The Puxatony 'hog may know about weather up north, but I'd rather listen to Big Al.

Big Al lives at Gator Country near Beaumont. He is:

1. a lot bigger than the Yankee hedgehog (try the largest alligator in captivity at 1,000 lbs) and

2. He has also proven more accurate -- like 100% accurate -- in his "winter's over or not?" predictions, according to owner and gator-rescuer/naturalist, Gary Saurage.

Every year on Groundhog Day, they offer Big Al his most-favorite-food: Kentucky Fried Chicken. Alligators are genetically unable to eat until all danger of winter freezes is past. Their bodies simply cannot digest food until warm weather is assured.

This year, the 'hog got it right, according to Al, who refused to eat. And, as we all know, another Arctic freeze did hit our area afterwards.

Now, however, the gators are out and eating, says Gary. So it's okay for us to plant.

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