Of hummingbirds and apple blossoms

The hummingbirds have been buzzing around our apple trees this week. They've been going from the tulips to the apple blossoms. We have about 5 different kinds of apples, a pear, a couple of crab apples, two plums, and some quince trees. We haven't quite figured out what to do with the quince fruits though.

We made some amazing apple butter out of the crab apples last year. We also made apple sauce. Colleen made a sort of quince spread, but we haven't eaten much of it.

The trees have needed a lot of pruning. They haven't been well cared for for the last couple of years. The previous owner was elderly and couldn't take care of the place any more.

The garden is starting to take shape. Our garlic is booming. I mulched it with straw from the chicken coop. It should give it a little boost of nitrogen. Hopefully it won't be too much nitrogen. I'm keeping a careful eye on it.

Fertilized some lettuce today. We've got 20-30 good sized heads of lettuce started, plus all the lettuce we direct seeded. Radishes look good. The beets are barely coming along, but I always worry about the beets every year. They are so slow to start.

This weekend we are going to spend time planting in the garden and also preparing the barn for the goats. The goats are supposed to be born on Tuesday. We will pick up the doe and one kid a week later. That gives us about ten days to get ready. Everything is full tilt.

I've still got a few weeks of teaching left, but Colleen is done Monday. She will be taking on the garden chores for a couple of weeks until I can commit full time.

We are so blessed. Lovin' life.