We are building a magnificent composting structure. I thought we only needed three bins, but we had enough leftover lumber on the farm to build four, so why not? I am excited to get this thing done so we can finally put our kitchen compost somewhere--we have filled two containers already. Composting is a science--something about getting the right carbon to nitrogen ratio to make the best compost for growing vegetables. It is a little like making those colored sand pictures in a jar--lots of layering of grass, leaves, newspaper, kitchen waste, chicken manure and soil.

The weather forecast calls for snow and freezing temperatures so we did some winterizing today.  We put 8 inches of mulch on the 600 onions and 160 garlic bulbs. This meant raking up the maple leaves and shredding paper to make the mulch. We are shredding taxes and financial papers dating back to 1992. What a great way to recycle this paper. And, we put a real lightbulb in the well house where we have over 150 pounds of potatoes stored—the light will give off enough heat to prevent freezing in the well house (we hope).I also harvested as much as I could—mainly swiss chard and kale which were still growing very nicely. I found a few surprises under the agri-bond—some petite cabbage and a cauliflower or two from Mark’s late fall planting.

The Little Butternut tree left the farm. Ray and crew transplanted it on the Capitol grounds across from the General Administration Building. It looks beautiful in its new home. 

Ray Gleason and crew came today to get the little butternut tree ready for transplanting on the Capitol grounds. They used an air blower to remove the soil around the roots. As Ray described it, he will gather the roots gently and fold them up against the tree--like octopus legs. He thinks the tree will be removed tomorrow or Friday. After catching up with Ray, I had just enough light to cut lettuce and greens for dinner--in the pouring rain.