The Ducks Move Outside

Thursday was Moving Day for Ducks. For the epic journey, we packed them into a large Rubbermaid tub in the backseat of the car, much to their dismay. One of them decided she would rather not spend the journey in the tub. After wobbling around a bit (moving cars tend to have that effect on ducks attempting to stand in the back window), she settled into a comfortable position.

Their pen contains their tractor (where we shut them in for the night, along with some solar-powered nightlights), along with some tubs of water, surrounded by a solar-powered electric fence. (Mickey and I, as well as several of the ducks, can attest that it works -- zzzap!)

They finally figured out that the tubs are good for drinking out of.

As well as for bathing and general recreation.

They seem to enjoy hanging out in the tractor during the day, although when we come round it is a bit of a drama.

So we generally try to keep their blood pressure down, leave them to their own business, and tend to the nascent food forest and orchard. [Sarah's note: I had to look up the word "nascent," but it does fit beautifully!] Mick divided the comfrey and planted it near the apple trees, which are already beginning to bud out.

The Carmine Jewel cherries, complete with rabbit-guard, are ready to grow!

The lemon balm is back from its winter rest and growing large and green! I am excited for it to take over its corner of the vegetable bed -- less weeding and more lemon sun tea!

The gooseberries, many of which Mick transplanted after pruning his folks' plants last summer, are leafed out.

Mick sowed clover around the rhubarb. We are looking forward to harvesting rhubarb this year! and the clover will keep the weeds down and add nitrogen to the soil.

The orchard is nearly complete and looks amazing, thanks in no small part to David Mingle, who installed nearly all of the rabbit guards, thanks!

We even found time to pick up rocks along the driveway. One rock was buried in the mud and looked to be about eight inches across -- think of a large cantaloupe. Well, Mick kept digging, and after much slipping and sliding in the mud......

We also transplanted some young hemlocks from near the pond -- some to bulk up the privacy screen from the neighbors, and others to fill out the pine grove.

We planted yellow onion sets, red onion sets, and shallots (pictured below). They are all doing well, along with the yellow onions and garlic that I (Sarah) missed when I harvested last year. The volunteer leeks aren't doing so bad either!

Despite all the cultivation, this is still where the wild things grow. Leeks, Trout Lilies, Spring Beauties, wild strawberries, and some tiny raspberries are just a few.

The solitary flower is always the most beautiful.

Especially when it promises fruit and a harvest to come.