Playing Catch-up

I can't believe that it has been almost a month since I last posted. So much for the daily musings. Our maple syrup season ended two weeks early, but we were able to put up 3-1/4 gallons of syrup - not a gain from last year, but neither a loss. Papa bought a dozen fancy maple leaf bottles to use for gifts. They look very nice filled.

The boys finished the greenhouse, and it has been getting as hot as 120 degrees on a sunny day. Not bad for the tomatoes. I worked out there today for about an hour transplanting tomato seedlings into individual pots. I left the door open as I worked, only closing it when Angus Khan came near. (I wouldn't want to be caught in the greenhouse with him.)The lady chickens are very curious about the goings on in the greenhouse, but have yet to venture in for a tour. I did see a big, fat mouse scurry out under the wall. Perhaps he was after the corn seeds.

We now have over 100 tomato seedlings - a little over 60 Roma, and about 25 each of Big Boy and cherry tomatoes. The leeks and onions are going strong. These we placed on the ground where it is cool, but still light. The broccoli and cauliflower seedlings didn't last a very cold night. These we have replanted. A few peppers have finally sprouted. I also transplanted Edmund's cantaloupe.

Papa dug two small gardens near the greenhouse. He planted spinach and lettuce in one, and a row of carrots in the other. He has had to put up fencing around these to protect them from the ever scratching chickens and overly curious geese and ducks.

The upper garden is still very wet with areas of standing water. The water table is very high still due to the heavy rainfalls last week. The strawberry plants look healthy, however, but will require a lot of weeding, clipping of runners, and mulching.

I am full of hope this year that we will have a bountiful harvest. One thing I have learned, though, is to not count your chickens before they hatch. So we will work hard, and hope for the best.