The last few days I have bought vegetable seeds, started some seedlings (collards, cauliflower and peppers) indoors, and sourced peat moss and horticultural vermiculite for my square foot garden. I also need to bring in compost for that, which I will probably have delivered by the truck load along with some bark or mulch since it’ll come in handy for the rest of the plants we are planting.

I also finally found the perfect ground cover for our yard. Since we are reserving the sunniest half of the yard for the veggie beds, the other half of the yard needs some kind of shade loving lawn substitute. I had been eyeing Corsican Mint, which smells absolutely heavenly when stepped on, but unfortunately only tolerates moderate (1-2 times a day) foot traffic. I searched high and low until I found the absolutely perfect Stepables for our conditions: Leptinella Gruveri Miniature Brass Buttons.

Here is how the grower describes this plant:

Tiny serrated leaves send out runners to form a rugged carpet of green. Excellent as a lawn substitute or between pavers. This plant is so dense that it can withstand car traffic 1-2 times a day.

Yes, car traffic!! I think it should be OK for a couple of kids and a few chickens, no? Speaking of our feathered friends, Dan is working on the chicken coop as we speak. The little guys are not so little anymore, and not so easy on the olfactory senses either… Yes, that means they stink, and I am evicting them!

Here is what I told Dan to build:

It’s nice to have a handy boyfriend!