It was a big day at the farm today.  The whole family came out to help.  Lisel and I spread compost over the hot crop section (where the tomatoes, peppers, cukes, beans, and summer squash will go) while the kids had the enviable job of checking on things around the barn.  We got the last of the compost spread (my 15 yard estimate back in March was only about 3 tractor buckets short!) and then tilled and seeded one 75′ bed of summer squash/zucchini (Black and Sebring) and three 75′ beds of green beans (Provider, Jade, and Kentucky Wonder). 

The kids, meanwhile, found a dead baby bird on the floor of the barn that had apparently fallen from the nest.  Poor thing didn’t even have feathers yet.  Chris and Annie spent a while poking it with a stick before noticing that the nest above was full of other very much alive, and hungry!, babies.  They got to watch the mama bird feed the babies, so that was exciting.

The highlight of Emily’s day was learning to drive the tractor!  She did quite well bringing me and her brother and sister in from the field.  

The plan was to get the beans and squash, which are direct-seeded, in before the rain comes in a couple of days.  Here’s hoping it actually pans out…