Though spring
begins slowly and tentatively, it grows with a tenacity that never fails to touch me. The smallest and most
tender shoots insist on having their way, coming up through ground that looked,
only a few weeks earlier, as if it would never grow anything again.
(Parker J. Palmer, from Seasons: A Center for Renewal)
What a difference a season makes! Spring arrived early this year. Much has happened since the last blog. The hens are laying beautiful eggs. They LOVE to roam about the yard and the perimeter of the woods. And Nammah is waking from her time in darkness, returning to light and fertile soil.
One garden bed was planted in easy april this year - covered with plastic. The greens inside didn't poke their heads out for almost a month anyway. The soil just would get warm enough. Early May and the first planting of greens are showing signs of hope and abundance to come.
The chickens have ended up at the front door more than once! Sara thinks they want to return to the pantry where they spend their first month.
Hans Jacob found a new flock in Wisconsin. He was a beautiful and very protective rooster. A bit too protective. He had all of the hens (including the human ones) in a state of fear and chaos. We decided it was best to send him off to bigger flocks. We hear he is doing well.
Frey is now the top dog (yes, even over Hannah). He has a much looser approach to things than HJ did. He does a fine job though.
His most notable achievement…4 baby chics!
They weren't planned. We already had more chickens than we originally "wanted". But...Little Robin Red Breast was acting strange. She wouldn't leave the nesting box - just sat there and clucked all day. Our guys at Whippoorwill Farms said "she wants to be a mom - give her some eggs to sit on." So we marked 4 eggs and allowed her to sit, and sit, and sit and sit! Wow - what dedication that mama had. We thought even if 1 or 2 hatched it would be fun. See what happens.
21 days exactly, 2 chics (on cinco de mayo) - the next day, 2 more. They are the cutest things. And watching mama do her thing is an absolute wonder.
The seeds are all planted and under grow lights. I feel ahead of schedule this year. The early spring is motivating.
We will still be cautious and not put them out until the first week in June. One never knows up here!
May 8 - Along with the greens - potatoes, beets, carrots AND sunflowers are all planted. It's nice to have the time, sun and workable soil to plant a bit here and there. It feels more relaxed this year…so far!