the growing season started

 We have been working hard in the last few weeks, especially looking after the vines. Pruning, weeding, trying to avoid the mild dew to occur again and save the production of grapes. We think we have managed this so far, but we still wait until the end of June to make sure grapes have started to develop.

As we stand, all seems going well, so, fingers crossed, this time we should make some wine. As for the vegetables, they are starting to grow well and to produce. We already had basil, courgettes, cabbages and lots of lettuces. Potatoes will be soon ready and tomatoes are already developing  on the plants.

First fruit we had is the nespola or meddler. peaches and prunes are on their way. pears are in abundance  but still long way to go. Goji berries are already starting to mature. The vineyard has taken a big chunk of time to work with, every morning for the last two weeks. Watering vegetables is an affair of the evening. Every day between 40 minute to one hour. Not all the vegetables are watered every day as there are too many and so we decided to split the lot into two sections.

Recently we had strong thunder storms with lots of rain and this has saved us time to water the plants. Heavy rain has occurred already 4 times this month. Basically we fluctuated between autumnal days to summer days in 48 hours. We had  temperatures as high as 29 already, so we do not know what the summer will bring.

The olive crop this year is not as abundant as the previous one, which was exceptional, but, we are hoping to collect some . The chickens are producing lots of eggs and although we failed to incubate successfully some ( only 3 chicks in 23  eggs ), finally one hen just went broody and she has got 10 eggs to look after. Hopefully she will be better that a incubator. Incubator was bought because chicken did not seem to have any intention to became mothers,  but now is happening.

One rebel chick has decided not to be so sociable with the others. Chickens and cockerel are not bothering her but she refuse to stay with the others and every night is a battle to catch her and put her safely into the house. But now we have built a separate chicken run for her and the ( hopefully) new chicks.

Here a few pictures to complete the description above.

  

before and after weeding

  

taking off excess young shoots and a happy caterpillar

  

after heavy rain and vegetable galore

  

cabbage and nespole

  

                                                 goji berries and pomegranate in bloom

  

collecting hay for the chicken house and fresh eggs

     

flower bed created by Lesley and " not a dandelion"

      

olive flowers before opening and after

  

sunrise and sunset in Locoe land

   

Rebel chick at dusk trying to sleep outside but it is not safe.

Wild pigeon in vineyard. not bothered by my presence and  a safer bird at night as it sleeps  very high up.

In the clip two of the new chicks happily together.