Beavers and phoebes

 I finally had the time to go photograph some wildlife. Most of the time I don't have to go further than my backyard.  Having a nice lens helps too. While we were going for a walk with Fugee, we found a beaver dam.  We don't know for sure if it is still active.  The wood shavings near the chewed trees look pretty recent.  I hope that they are still there. I will check on the dam later in the summer. Photos follow.

Farewell goats

Goats have gone to a farm nearby. They have found a young couple that could give them plenty of room and extra attention. We are limited on space and found ourselves making this decision.

Seeding and cooking

Starting seeds in the presence of others is a great way to start the day.  I keep a compost bin full of worms and food scraps the whole year.  I later sift the mixture to get the rich soil full of worm castings. I use seeds from HIGH MOWING ORGANIC SEEDS in Hardwick, VT.  I am not trying anything different from other years. I learned that onions and leeks are very hard to grow by a windowsill. It is better to get onion sets later in the season at the nearby Coop. They also need loose soil and lots of water to grow.  Also, I remember growing peas in containers during my first year as a gardener. Big mistake. Peas are not meant to be transplanted or manhandled. Tomatoes and Peppers are the other heavy feeders and needy plants that I don't start from seed anymore. I get them from Jinny Cleland, at Four Springs Farm. She gets her potting mix from Vermont Compost, then she takes samples for nutrient analysis and then amends the soil as necessary. Therefore, her plants grow in a perfect medium and in a greenhouse. I love working inside a green house. It is warm, the soil smells great and the plants bring you a kind of bliss that in terms of spring, is irreplaceable.