First hops of the season, finally

The air was still cold enough to see your breath when I went out at dawn, but the sun was already pressing through the mist like it meant business. Took the old pruning shears and clipped the first few shoots—tiny, pale green things that looked like they’d been holding their breath all winter. The kid who runs the farm now asked if we should spray for aphids early. I told him no, not yet. Let them struggle a little. If they’re strong enough to survive the frost, they’ll be worth the harvest.