My neighbor, a horse owner and all-around nice guy, recently acquired one of those sweet Kubota tractors with the front loader attachment.  I spent part of the afternoon over in his horse yard, loading up the truck with lots of well composted manure.  Lucky me.

It’s been relatively warm and sunny for the past few days, although still frosty in the morning, and lots of plants are looking like they believe spring is here. Buds on the nectarine, peach and plum trees are starting to swell, and the onions and garlic have resumed growth mode after being asleep for the past couple of months. All this early spring business is likely to lead to ruined flowers and a severe reduction in fruit set, as late February often brings snow and rain.  There is, however, nothing whatever I can do about the weather, and so I remain content that ladybird beetles see fit to visit the garden.