I was a bit later than usual when I came out to feed the yard babies, so there was quite a crowd.

I immediately noticed Broccoli’s back end was looking bedraggled.  As she milled about, eating ravenous, I could confirm.

She has had her litter.  Possibly just hours before. 

She has her “nest” somewhere in the outer yard, so we likely won’t see them until they are old enough to bring them to the kibble houses. 

*sigh*

This would be the first litter of the year.  Out of the 33, at most, that we see, I have been able to spot possibly 5 in total that look pregnant, including Broccoli, with one tuxedo I think might be female and is probably pregnant, plus the tiny fluff ball that hangs put in the sun room that I think is female, but is from the youngest litter from last year.  I’m working on socializing her, but have had little success.

Why are the ladies all the most feral ones?

We are also getting a regular stinky kitty visiting.  A very small skunk, too, and only by itself.  The cats are completely indifferent to its presence!

On a different note, while doing my rounds this morning, I’m see8ng more snow crocuses blooming… but not very many plants. Hopefully, more will cone up.

Speaking of which, my daughter’s tulip patch has lots coming up, including a surprise.  I found some working their way through the mulch I moved aside from the saffron crocuses.  I planted them there because the tulips planted nearby didn’t make it.  At all.  Now, after at least 2 years, there are tulip leaves visible!  These should be the Bull’s Eye tulips, with their unique blossoms.  Hopefully, they will actually bloom, and we can confirm that. 

We had lights rain, off and on, yesterday, and should be getting more, today and tomorrow.  The weekend should be clear-ish then a couple more days of rain.  Which would be great, if it were more than just a fine mist that just makes surfaces damp.  We could really use some good downpours.  We are still being affected by the strong El Nino, though, so our area is unlikely to get much. 

Today, my main goal is to plant the summer mix melon seeds.  I gave them a extra day in their containers.  In checking the others last night, I saw my first watermelon seed germinating. 

If the seedlings remain as successful as the pre-germination, after transplanting, we will have a massive amount of winter squash and melons this year!

The Re-Farmer