Playing in the Dirt

Today is beautiful, warm, with clear blue skies and it definitely feels like spring.  So, I went outside to play.

The first California poppy is blooming.  Soon, they will be everywhere.

And I found these grape hyacinth hiding by the lilac bush.

The Santa Rosa plum tree is taking its turn blooming.  These plums remind me of my childhood - and they make awesome jam.

But, the real focus of my time outside was to pot up my tomato plants.  They are ready to move out of the nursery into preschool.  

They have full sets of real leaves.  Time to move on up!

I went down to the compost piles and got a bucket full of black gold.

Here they are, following commencement ceremonies.  They're kind of tired by all the festivities.  Once they get a taste of the compost laced potting mix, they'll perk right up.

I gave the rest of the compost to the chickens.  Worms!  Feeding frenzy!!

We have quite an eclectic mix of chickens.  Here are some of the more recent additions to the flock: two Speckled Sussex, a Rhode Island red, and a golden sex link.  The speckled ones are very friendly, running to greet me and following me around.