Spring Chores

It's 9 PM Tuesday evening and I've just gotten into the house.

The animals are all put to bed for the day...

the birdsongs have stopped...

the farm is silent in its repose.

It's been a long day... spent outdoors... helping the farrier, mowing, gardening, caring for the animals.

It's been the best kind of day.

I can't remember a more beautiful Spring than this year.

Everything is blossoming... every inch of the farm is oozing new life!

I found this single little soldier standing upright in the asparagus patch.

I swear it's the earliest emergence ever!

I have planted parsley amongst the asparagus this year,

as these plants make the best of friends.

Yesterday's work in the garden included the construction of this trellis.

This tunnel/trellis is made from 3 livestock panels.

 (you can find them at your local farm supply store)

In the box on the right I will plant tomatoes so that they can climb up the trellis.

In front of them... basil for companionship...

and what a yummy combination.

In the box on the left I will plant pole beans...green beans and red Chinese noodle beans.

These will also climb the trellis to the top.

By late summer we should have a lush tunnel with lots of shade for the dogs to sleep

while I work.

Out in the yard beyond the garden the guineas were in formation.

They line up and sweep across the yard, eating bugs and ticks as they go.

I am hoping to add more guineas to our flock this year.

The rest of the animals spent their day grazing...

 a typical Spring day for all!

I have lived my life both in town and in the country.

I appreciate spring here in the country so much more than I ever had in the past.

Previously, Spring signaled the beginning of warm weather.

In the country, where winter surrounds us with nothing but grey and browns...

Spring is like changing the world from black and white to color!...

much more noticeable without all of the man-made structures in town.