I was so excited to see dozens of these little guys popping their heads up, they are my different bee balms, this plant not only smells heavenly, (think of bringing some in to sweeten the house, I have even been known to go pick a few leaves and crush then and use them as a fresh purfume, when working in the garden, I tend to crush a few leaves and work in that heavenly scent) However it does not stop at just being a pretty plant, with a great smell, o no, the whole plant above ground is both edible and can also be used medicinally.

Hundreds of strawberry plants are starting to show sign’s of new life, and I will spend some time soon, cleaning out their beds and giving one row a boost by covering it with a hoop tunnel, the rhubarb has started to uncurl leaves, all the new fruit tree’s, planted last year made it though the winter and all fruit tree’s have new buds on them, the currents, and blueberries are all budding up as well.

Having a bit of a rest now, my hard working ducks, a lovely Chocolate hen with her big black drake.  I love that they work the top of the soil up, between them and my chickens, they have worked my front bed for me, and its all ready to be planted out and covered over with a hoop house to protect the plants and get a early start.

So our newest big round hay bales have come from Farmer R and we must have hit a new feild, because this is some sweet looking hay, he had said that by keeping it in his barn and delivering it to me, that it would keep better and he has been proven right on this.

So I am still hauling a certain amount of hay to the barn for the jugged new mom and also keep a extra supply for Girl in her loose box pen, she gets her outside time for fresh air, sunshine, exercise and lots of turns at the big hay bale feeder, as well as nibbling on tree tips etc but she also has her water and hay feeder that gets so much fresh per day and without fail, I always seem to lose just a bit of her hay off the fork, and for some unknown reason to me, there are two sheep that follow me around and wait for this to happen and then eat this special hay, they are quick about it as well, because if the peice dropped is big enough, I will pick it back up, so they stuff their faces. I guess its got to be “the best” if it comes to the barn 🙂

Ps, a lovely new litter of baby bunnies arrive last night, and are looking great, lots of nest cover, lots of movement in there, and a protective momma, Hopefully in a few days I will be able to get in and get a head count, mom is a lovely solid brown doe and daddy is a blue broken, so we could have all kinds of color and pattern in there.