we sure need heat and sun.  however, a cloudy day is nice for transplanting.  we put the first melons out yesterday.  the clouds make for an easier transition for that little plant.  we'll transplant at least two more times. 10 days apart.  hopefully we'll get some heat and have melons early august.

  Finally back to planting today after more than two weeks of wet weather.  I'm behind by a couple weeks.  As a result, there is more to do in the next couple weeks than can be done.  So I'll pick away at it and hope.
   In spite of the wet cool weather, the early plantings have progressed nicely.   They'll need cultivation soon.  First i have to get some pumpkins and squash planted.

I attended an incredible bee class at the UofMN saturday.
 We are fortunate to have great research and instruction in our state.
 People came from as far as New York to attend.

  i'm not thrilled about snow in April, however, it does mean i few more days of sap run before the buds come out and its over.  so that's ok.
 i suspect the first planting of sweet corn will be on schedule; April 25th is my target date

Spring!!! syrup, bees, seeds

    for me, spring starts when the sap starts to run
    it started today
     bees to feed
    seeds arrive daily
  life is grand
      

It was nice and warm yesterday, so I went out to feed the bees before the cold snap.
All colonies are alive and doing well.  All boiling out the top, so the timing was right for giving them sugar cakes. 
   Our sales of honey have gradually increased.  We need more colonies.  I hope all will survive so we can split them in the spring instead of buying more.
  We grew buckwheat in the fall, partly for manure crop, and partly for the bees so they could go into the winter healthier and happier.  At this point it seems to have paid off.

Jeff’s pumpkin bar recipe

2 cups whole wheat flower

2/3 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar; not packed

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon; heaping

1/8 tsp nutmeg

¼ tsp ginger

1/3 cup oil

2/3 cup apple sauce

4 eggs

2 cups baked pie pumpkin (nistler farms pumpkins preferred)

½ cup baked squash (yes, nistler farms too)

large pan for bars

375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes