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Sometimes, if its really mild, we might see a few bulb tips popping through by the end of February, or perhaps the catkins on aspen begin to show a little silver at the tip.

I'll be seeding some lettuce and such soon though

I think it's 80 or close to that today. I worked on my composting. Got a big sack of new compost material from my green grocer and layered newspapers, leaves then green veggies and fruits on top. I have several bins going.

So far, my compost bins are in plastic pots. I'm wondering how people who compost in the open collect the compost liquid. Any explanations.

Also, I have a lot of the liquid from my compost bin. Do I need to cure it or do anything to it other than mix it with water before I put it on my plants? Can it burn the plants?

...the compost isn't done. If it is fluffy and somewhat uniform in color and has a fair population of worms, use it as a top dressing or mix it in with the soil. Compost is generally pH neutral if you use a variety of non-animal materials (except for egg shells). Just keep it stirred at least once a week and it will do its own thing. I don't recommend newspaper because some of the color dyes they use now have heavy metals you really don't want in your garden. B&W sections are still fine.