Has anyone else been scrambling??

Spring Update
So, lets see. So much has been going on this spring, I think its a good idea to spend a post just sort of rambling about it all. I was in the middle of the soil building series and will get some great ideas updated here soon, but there has been just too much going on. Too many problems came up that needed attention and just plain too much fun going on in the yard and in life. I don't really know where to start.
Worm Bins. I am going to get a post about this soon...but I have been watching my worm bin in the shed and watching videos online and my worm bin didn't look like what I was seeing. So I figured out a new approach to their bedding that I am excited to share here soon. I just divided my worm bin into two worm bins, and I think this new approach is going to be even better.
Rolling Compost. I have been using one of those fancy black rolling compost tumblers for the first time and was a bit concerned about how it was all going to pan out. I was surprised however today, after a number rather warm sunny days, to find what looked liked semi decent compost inside. I decided that a good use for this was as part of my new worm bedding mixture, so I added some of it to that after sifting it.
Pluot and Pluerry problems have hit my garden this year. If you have plum trees, or their relatives, then you probably know all about plum aphids and how they curl your leaves at the growing tips of the plants. I unfortunately didn't know anything about them until now so I have been doing my best to get ahead of them. They have found at least two of the four plum family trees on our property, so well see if I can keep them going. Right now I have resorted to a safe spray that can be used up to the day of harvest and spending some time blasting the leaves with water to try and knock them off. I think we may be making some head way so we will keep after them.
The other fruit trees have been doing amazing. Apples are blooming here now, and the apricot, cherry, and nectarines have all done their things and were frost free through it all. Now we wait and see how many of the plants set fruit and if they are strong enough this year to hold onto it. The cherry tree has been a solid producer so if I can keep the birds out, then I should have a great crop of cherries. What do you do to keep the birds away from your fruit trees?


If that wasn't enough, there is dill popping up all over the place, as well a host of herbs, including our container grown mint, which I just love. There are more holly hocks than I think I can let survive, so maybe I can transplant some of them around the yard. Radishes are up, as well as some swiss chard. There is so much more I want to get planted, but its still so fun to be in this space and see all the life that is going on down there. I think this year is going to be another great growing season!
Critter Care. The chickens are laying like crazy now and we have been pumping them full of grass clippings and pulled weeds on top of their regular ration to get those glorious spring eggs that everyone loves. Yokes are so orange this time of year!
The rabbits are out of the greenhouse pens now and out on their weed patch, helping keep things mowed down for us. I still need to build a better pen for one of our bunnies, but well see how long it takes me to get that done.

Soil Building. Compost piles are still rocking. I need to turn the hot pile again as I am sure it has cooled down here lately. We are getting closed to being able to sift out the good stuff with that one I think, then we can start our next hot pile with all the stuff we have been gathering from the yard this spring. Loads of good stuff to get going there.
We also have a couple lasagna beds going, both of which are a direct response to weeds in places I didn't want them. I will get a post done here soon on those, but basically your just layering organic matter right where you want to have great soil. Given enough time, mother nature turns it into some of the best dirt you have ever seen.

I am sure there are a pile of other things that I have been doing on top of all this, but for now, this is enough to make me feel like I have been doing some good work around here and helping things get going in the right direction.
If you are into this sort of thing, there is more information over at our web site which you can view here and a continual stream of information throughout this blog. There is loads of information about gardening, composting, and even some ideas about home remodeling! Come check it out. We'll keep posting here on the blog, and do our best to continue to add more content to the website as well.
If you are into this sort of thing, there is more information over at our web site which you can view here and a continual stream of information throughout this blog. There is loads of information about gardening, composting, and even some ideas about home remodeling! Come check it out. We'll keep posting here on the blog, and do our best to continue to add more content to the website as well.
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