October at the Rabbithole

When you're talking to growers, it seems it's never quite right - either they complain about too much rain, or not enough...

But, seriously - come on now! This winter has been somewhat extreme in it's rainfall here and it wasn't fun. I can't help but wonder whether this is the new normal - more atmospheric carbon = more heat = more moisture = more rain? 

Seeing the sun the last few days was glorious though and seeing my seedlings all spring up even more so. 

Seed sowing is going to continue this month - even though it means increased fuss over the little plant babies - having to move them from inside to outside, from sun to shade, sometimes several times a day. I often think growing seedlings is like having a baby - being continuously aware of their needs. 

Having said that, we don't have a great set up here for raising seedlings - how easy it would all be with a glass house and a sprinkler system! 

Bed preparation continues as well, trying to outrun the winter weeds which are now putting on a real growth spurt - as well as all the new ones coming up with increased soil temperatures. We're also spreading compost, aerating the beds (!!!) and mulching everything that is not going to be seedbed in the next little while. 

As we clear the beds, some of our winter crops, which are past their prime, are coming out as well - although I like to leave as many of the brassicas to flower for the bees to feed on as possible. They are just buzzing at the moment! 

Everything that comes out of the garden beds goes straight onto a compost heap - mixed with the last of the autumn leaves I had stored away (and some extra ones that I can sweep up from the forest floor here). Add the chicken straw and - boom! Ready to go. 

We've had some new arrivals with three new hens and are hoping for some egg production. They are Araucana crosses, so look! - green eggs!