The second half of April is intense here at the farmette. Everything picks up speed. Ed and I try to keep up with old demands even as new projects insert themselves into our spring routines. For example, this morning I found Ed measuring the temperature of water in a jar. He was aiming for some perfect number of degrees so that he could begin the process of "cold stratifying" Korean Pine seeds. Why we should be fussing with Korean Pine seeds is a long story, but let me just say that when mature, these trees do produce edible pine nuts. Yes, we're fully into the tree project once again and our assortment of nut trees will include the Korean Pine. If something comes of his sprouting project.
Me, I'm focused totally on the flower fields. I look beyond the daffodils (even though the daffodils are splendid right now!).
I dig out weeds and I cover exposed roots that the cheepers are determined to scratch up, and I chip the plants for good measure. Until the flower fields are thick with perennials, this is what I have to do to keep things growing. And because it is another lovely spring day, we start before breakfast (such pretty colors then!)...
Finally, a pause: for the morning meal on the porch...
And continuing really without pause until late afternoon, when I am happy to stop bending, digging pulling, chipping, so that I can focus on the evening meal.
This nonstop outdoor work is really good for the soul. You're not doing it for the exercise, you're doing it because you care about something other than your physical health and yet the benefits accrue exponentially: the more you work, the better the garden looks and the better you feel. Funny how that works.
(Peach and Henny have taken to laying in the cart... The girls have too much freedom!)
Toward evening, the young family comes and we spend a good many moments outside. Yes, the "magic meadow" is in play again, announcements and all.
(we're never quite sure what Sparrow understands these announcements to be, but he always participates with total enthusiasm...)
Everyone is hungry. Time to go inside.
And so ends a very full weekend. Not much couch time, but hey, I can make up for it in the days to come. We're slated to have a blast of cold air. April is never a smooth sail. But I'm happy as anything to have had these prep days: everything is ready. Toward the end of next week, I'll begin filling the spaces created for the newcommers to the garden. How wonderful is that!
