'Tis Time!

Even though I've still got at least a month and a half before I can think of setting anything out in the garden (and even then under a cold frame), there are many outside tasks that can be done.  A jump-start, you could say, on our short season when it's possible to work outside without the threat of incurring frost bite.

Although Papa Pea did a bit of clearing on our loop trail up behind us during the winter months, there's still much that needs to be cut down to ground level, widening of the trail in spots and maybe even some mowing with our heavy-duty Gravely garden tractor.  The mowing will have to wait until all the snow is completely gone and the ground has a chance to give up the mud in favor of solid ground.

Oy, the multitudinous fallen branches in the yard areas that need to be gathered and hauled away.  I'll do this while my tall husband spends time pruning the apple trees which, of course, will create lots of debris to be hauled also.

As soon as we have a few more dry, warmish days, some of the garden beds will be ready to be tilled.  Papa Pea spread compost on all of them last fall, but there were a few that I didn't get it tilled in.  (Bad, Mama Pea, bad.)  Cold frames can be put on the couple beds I'll want to plant early salad greens in.  The sooner I get the cold frames on, the sooner the soil will warm up.  The fact that these cold frames are still solidly frozen in their storage spot will slow that process a bit.

We've got lots of trees to remove from the east and south sides of our fenced-in garden area.  These trees have grown so tall they now shade parts of our growing area.  I hate to see the trees go, but seeing as how we live in a heavily forested area, sacrificing those that keep us from growing the food we want must be done. 

As soon as the frost is out of the ground, the electric fencing around the poultry yard can go back up.

Last but not at all least, our wood working area in the back is now dried up enough and free of snow (mostly) that we can start working up wood for the next heating season.

If we get all this done in the month of April (that's the plan), it will be an actual miracle we will be on a fantastic roll for the season.  AND for the recreational time off we've vowed to take in the coming months! 

Yep, 'tis time.  Now let's get at it.