We’ve finally been able to complete the project. With one atmospheric river after another (we’ve had THIRTEEN now), it has been hard to find time to dig holes for the fence posts, move the fencing, and make the gate. But we got a few (very welcome) dry days that allowed us to get those things done. Tom built a marvelous gate which works beautifully, and since Adam is home for spring break, he was able to help us stretch the fencing. The chickens have a slightly different-shaped run, and the gate is much easier to use for us humans.

The almond tree was the first to leaf out, but a nectarine and a plum were first to bloom. Now all of the trees have both leaf and flower buds, and we look forward to sharing what this area looks like once all the trees are in full leaf. They are very small, but I anticipate that they will grow quite fast!

Traverso Tree Company dropped a load of wood chips off in our driveway last week (about 20 cubic yards), and it was great to get this whole area covered. These chips will help suppress any germinating weeds, hold moisture in the soil, prevent erosion, promote mycorrhizae and feed all the wee beasties that live underground.

We also covered all the soil in the chicken run with chips. I do this periodically to help soak up all of the nitrogen being produced by their excrement. It also helps prevent the chickens from standing in mud. And trust me when I say, this winter, there is so much mud.

I’ll probably plant some bulbs under these trees in the fall, just to add some winter and spring color here when the trees are bare, or maybe I’ll plant some comfrey or borage. It’s possible that some annual wildflowers will also seed themselves around. But I won’t make any elaborate plans, I don’t think. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to a lower-maintenance part of the garden! And I’m really going to enjoy watching the orchard grow and mature, knowing that it will provide delicious food for us (and for whoever lives here in the future) in the years to come.