Homestead Happenings

 

Welcome back to Homestead Happenings.

It's been a bit wild and wooly these last few weeks,

but things are slowly progressing toward spring.

No matter the weather,

it's so amazing to watch the changes all around us.

This honeysuckle is planted on the far end of our property,

and it was rather shocking to see it in full bloom.

Knowing that more cold temperatures were ahead,

we will see just how resilient it is.

This is a great plant to use as a hedge,

or clustered together, to provide a bit of privacy.

The spider wort is growing well,

despite the frigid temps and snow

we've had in the past few weeks.

This is used as a border along our

wood chip walkway alongside the chook run area.

I'm not sure why some folks don't care for it,

it's very low maintenance and will flush back easily

to provide even more blossoms later in the season.

It will be exciting to see these tulips blooming

in another few weeks.

These are the double bloom variety

and they are planted around our dogwood tree.

In the fall, a mix of allium bulbs were planted

in various beds.

Every year, I try to add a few more bulbs.

Many of the sedums have either continued to grow right through the winter,

or are coming back without hesitation.

Sedums have become one of my favorite plants,

as they are so easy going.

They don't require much in the way of water,

adapt to different sun exposures and don't need fertilization.

The garlic is looking mighty happy these days.

The abundant rainfall we've had this month

has boosted their growth.

Hoping for a bumper crop this year,

with almost 200 cloves planted.

In the month of February so far,

we've topped six inches of rain,

not including melted snow.

Mother Nature must be breathing a sigh of relief,

knowing she'll start off the spring

with ample stores of water.

Winter sowing has begun

and it feels good to have seeds started again.

Because I am using a new source for the topsoil

in my soil mix, only a handful of containers were sown.

If these do well with germination,

we will keep sowing each week.

This season, the focus will be on the crops eaten daily,

like kale and lettuces.

It makes sense to me to grow the things I enjoy most often.

So far, in this batch,

kale, leeks, lettuce and turnips (grown for greens) have been started.

I am working toward growing for myself,

as well as the chooks, who enjoy greens of all kinds.

If you want to learn more about winter sowing,

read this.

As I write this, I am pup sitting

and this morning's snow is just about completely melted.

It's such a beautiful sight on the bare tree branches and shrubs,

(although I'm not sure my Element, Ginger thinks much of it).

I never tire of its magical quality.

The rest of the week is warming up

and we may not see any more snow until next winter.

I'm grateful for the peace it brings me.

There is something to look forward to in each season.

The task is ours to find the blessing in the everyday.