rhubarb sprouts and a terrarium

So it looks like the first sprouts of the forest beds have finally come up. Rhubarb!

Every day this week has been hot and lovely, ending with a storm. Lots of sun and rain for the beds! K and I also contributed this week by collecting rocks from the field to make a little garden border. The sprouts finally became noticable on Tuesday, even among the confusion of weeds (we plucked carefully around them).

Inbetween, K  has also helped me with my terrarium. I chose a 40oz growler rescued from the junkyard, first layering the bottom with small gravel rocks, then garden dirt, then crushed bits of soft rotting wood from a fallen tree, then bits of the moss growing on that same tree. A little water, then the cap. Ta da! We'll see how that goes.

In other news: the tadpoles are bigger (we had to transfer them into a larger tank, even then letting some go free into the swamp to allow more room) and two of the painted ladies have hatched. It's difficult to get pictures of these things, but I will continue to try. Perhaps you shall see them soon!

the forest beds

Last week, K and I planted pansies and wildflowers in the forest behind my house, next to the wild pansies already growing there. It's given us a reason to visit the forest more often. It smells so lovely. No sprouts yet!

growing things

Ah, summer. It is upon us!

The tantalizing but inconsistent spring has at last given way to a relatively constant temperature and no more threats of snow. It is possible to lay out in the sun with a book. The mosquito larvae in the swamp has hatched. Camping plans are in the works.

There are so many things to look forward too! A few weeks ago, I found a clutch of tadpole eggs in a ditch, and they have since hatched and reached a centimeter in length. The little black dots suspended in jelly uncoiled themselves into wriggling blobs with tails; little prokaryote-like things. I've changed out the water a handful of times, watching for the knobs that will become legs to appear.

Ivy likes to search for froggies, too.

And there are other growing projects. K and I planted three small garden beds in the forest. One rhubard, one pansy, and one wildflower mixture. We've been watering them with two old buckets found in a pile of junk that must have been dumped there decades ago. My forest seems so full of curiosities--no wonder I found it magical as a child.

As well, my mother decided to purchase a batch of painted lady caterpillars for the butterfly garden she plans to set up this year. They have been fattening daily.

In short, dears, there is a lot going on in the life of Laura, and it's wonderful. She will be posting pictures of these tiny lives as they grow. Life is exciting and full of growth and light. Happy May!
 

Start again in the month of May
Start again in the month of May
Come on and blow the wires away
Come on and blow the wires, the wires away 
—Arcade Fire