The End of Sugaring

The last day of sugaring, April  17th, will give us around 9 gallons for the year. Our biggest year was 10. This is a good shot of our springtime, no snow sugarhouse on April 13th. The syrup is darkening up, no B yet, but maybe the last boil will be. Our sugar content has been consistently around 2.5, which is good enough to boil. The process is quite routine for us now, and we both get a chance to catch up on our reading. The garlic is up as of April 16th, as well.

Red Poll Winter

 The common redpolls have been with us all winter, more than any other winter so far. $100.00 worth of thistle seed later, we are amazed at the way they covet the feeders and manage to negotiate them during the worst weather, and they just won't leave!  They are still with us today, April 16th.

After a long winter....

As of April, the violets and violas in the greenhouse are coming back to life. The temperature had reached well below zero, but these little beauties really define "hardiness". I plan to have more of them this summer and keep them in the temp-regulated coldframe in the greenhouse for next winter. They are truly a flower of happiness.