Despite the frosty tempertatures overnight, Ken and Mackie have begun the first project of the year: preparing the ground for a new raised-bed 'kitchen corner' in the last, untended area of the garden. The unsightly, above-ground LPG tank was moved underground several years ago, and the 150-year old willow tree that shaded the corner was cut down last year. Its replacement, the stripling red oak on the right, won't overshadow the ground in our lifetime!

Although the site faces east and north, it benefits from the shelter of the stone wall and warmth of the boiler room wall. The plan is to construct three raised beds for salad greens and other vegetables, freeing the raised beds by the greenhouse for my ever-increasing cut flower garden.