Big Spring Shows up

Spring is in high gear around our place and we have a lot of exciting developments.

Both of our rabbit does have kindled, about a week apart, just like last time. The pictures show pretty clearly the developmental differences in just a week. 

Both does are caring for their litters really well so far and built very soft nests from their hair. I lined the metal baskets we are using for nests boxes with thin towels this time instead of the cardboard I used last time. I was worried about them getting too hot as temps climb and it seems to be working. I originally had them in there with just straw, but the basket has holes so wide the first litter of babies were actually wiggling out of the holes and onto the floor of their cage. Luckily it was a warm evening so they didn’t get chilled, but I was pretty surprised to come home at 10 PM to 3 babies out of the nests and one stuck midway. They are all safe, though and now that I lined their nest with the towel, all of them are staying in there fine. It’s a good example of making sure to really watch when any animals are little. 

One of the things that surprised me about baby bunnies is that despite their hairless, helpless appearance, they squirm around a lot looking for their momma. I still don’t ever actually see the mommas on the nests nursing, but now I don’t worry after reading that  they just don’t do that. They get on the nest and nurse in the night a couple times and that’s it; more might draw predators, instinct tells them.

The plants are all doing pretty well but I either need to pot them up into larger pots or put them in the ground soon. Weather isn’t that great this week with clouds and low temps, so I might pot some of them up tomorrow or alternatively I’l plant them and them cut some polyspun row cover fabric to cover them with. It’s works really well to keep the temps a few degrees warmer this time of year without going to all the bother of bringing them into the house on a cold night.

I’m increasing the size of the side garden a little this year, shocking  to no one, especially my husband. I just don’t see the point of trying to grow grass somewhere that gets that high of traffic. I think I might plan a mix of perennials, another fruit tree or two, and some hardscape for our patio table. I love to eat outside with the kids and write and have my morning coffee, so this seems like a perfect solution.

The fruit trees are doing really well and I hope to add a couple this year. Everything’s basically flowered already.

I was surprised to see some swelling flower ends on my Asian pear, indicating fertilized flowers. Pears don't fertilize well in general and it's not uncommon for small growers like myself to spend a little time hand pollinating with a paind brush. The stamens don't seem to have a lot of pollen and they also flower in temps that bees are pretty lathargic.Plus, my other Asian pear died last year and I didn’t think there were any other pears in the neighborhood. But sure enough, it appears as though I’ll get some Asian pears, so I’m excited about that. 

Neither one of the baby European pear trees flowered at all but they are growing precociously. I’ll have to start training the branches on the one because it’s growing really upright, so perhaps I will show a before and after picture for demonstration.

I’ll replace both of the Frost peach trees I had to cut down. The winter damage I got from the hard winter a couple years ago was just too much for them and I had to cut them down. I cried a little, and if you tasted my peaches, you would too! 

Anyway, I’ll replace those and add a tart cherry, a cider apple, and a plum with 3 varieties of Japanese plums grafted to the same trunk. I might also add some hazelnuts, but we’ll see. 

Until I get some pictures this weekend that's all for now. 

Blue Skies...