As the first days of Spring get closer, and the weather begins to ever so slowly warm up (hopefully this week), we continue work on the tractor conversion, greenhouse growing, dog training and house remodeling. With the anticipated 50 degree temps by Saturday, and the longer days, winter is losing its grip.

The onions are growing (they actually like it a little cooler), and the greenhouse has also seen the first lettuces germinate. On Tuesday, volunteer Jeff Hunter came out and helped us plant our first batch of broccoli, dill and cilantro. On Saturday, the cabbage gets seeded.

The tractor conversion project is proceeding too. After more studying, and getting a copy of the wiring schematic that wasn’t included by the equipment supplier (a big help), the task at hand seems much more clear. Today (Wednesday), we will weld up a platform for the batteries and begin wiring the tractor. From the photos you can see the work that we did last Saturday–attaching the pully system to the motor drive, and then attaching the whole thing to the tractor.

And then there’s Rocky. He is doing well, though his training is quite time consuming. Puppy that he is, he needs somewhat constant attention to keep him amused, and to make sure he isn’t doing things he shouldn’t. As we work more outside it helps, but he has a lot of training to go if we are to make sure he doesn’t run into the road, eat our laundry off the clothesline, chew up our irrigation supplies, and/or damage our plantings. We have bought a shock collar, but have not tried it out yet. We want to break him of the habit of running toward the road soon. We are hoping that many of his other habits will disappear as he grows out of puppyhood.

We welcome our members out to help socialize him and keep him amused. He seems to be great with kids, and is trying to buddy up with one of our cats.