I am ever more aware of the power of light this year in the garden.  I watch the hens respond to the short days…  when we have a string of cloudy days, they lay much less.  When the sun comes out even in frigid cold, egg production increases.  Thankfully, they’re beginning to feel the longer days, and they’ve been laying in a more predictable way again.

It’s been so cold here — frosty crust everywhere — and we probably will get some snow tomorrow evening.  Still, I notice how spongy and welcoming the soil is right now.  I think the soil itself responds to the change in light, and I never noticed that before.

That’s garlic coming up in the photo above.  I planted much more than before and wish I would have planted even more — next year hopefully.  I’m anxious to offer garlic greens soon.

Here are the leeks, still standing proud and strong in the winter garden.  To be a leek!  They have such humble courage!  They grow even more sweet in the cold.