So, here we are checking the driplines. Yep, we gave up walking the 10 acres quite a while ago. We drive when possible.

The start of a new season means checking all valves on the manifolds, and walking to each tree checking hoses.

One of the disadvantages of the dripline system we use is that is wears out. Replacing connections that have leaks is a priority.

Rabbits and coyotes love to chew through the hoses to get fresh water.

Painting the trees helps to a certain extent, but it is difficult to find the

time when your doing everything else.

 Our new members to the orchard. There was two baby pigeons last week. I think

a hawk flew in and grabbed the other one. It needs more feathers. I found some solar scarecrows on

the internet to help with the birds, but at $500+ for each...well,

we'll just have to figure something else out for now.

Beautiful peach blossoms are everywhere now. It looks like a floral shop outside. Weather is still an issue since

we haven't the finances to build heat ovens yet. We have some of the bases in, just no heat brick as of yet.

It even snowed last night.We keep hoping that the freezes at night will not harm

the flowers.

Although we have plenty of heavy equipment to help in larger areas,

we find alot that most of the labor is in using your hands. Bowls around the

trees must be kept cleaned out for a variety of reasons. The best tool we have found yet

is the simple metal 10 tine shrub rake. Light, skinny, and doesn't break.

We are hoping to get the chiller set up over the next couple of months.

This should be another interesting adventure.