DATE: 2026-04-15 | LOCATION: THE PLACE

The ice had gone out on April 12. Three days later, I was working among the plantings in a steady spring rain.

By the beginning of 2026, we had planted approximately 750 trees and shrubs at the place over the preceding three years. They were scattered across the slopes above the water, up toward the landing and the barn. Another 250 were on order for planting later that year.

I applied 150 pounds of Holly-tone fertilizer to the established plantings over two days.

I worked alone, moving from one seedling to the next. I cleared away the leaf litter and duff, exposing the soil around each plant. Then I dipped a cup into the five-gallon pail of Holly-tone, scattered the fertilizer around the plant, and worked it into the soil with a small three-pronged hand rake.

The rain darkened the duff. Water gathered where I'd pulled the leaves aside, and the exposed glacial till took on the appearance of wet coffee grounds.

A young spruce among the spring plantings, with its bamboo marker still in place.

I had dressed for the rain in a merino wool T-shirt, an Empire wool camp coat, and an Empire waxed-canvas pullover. Even with the outer layer wet, I remained comfortable, enjoying being out in the rain.

Rhododendron planting with the surrounding duff cleared for fertilizer application.

As the work continued, the repeated movements developed a rhythm. There was something almost ceremonial about it, like a chant without words.

A young evergreen on the middle slope, with the surrounding ground cleared and worked.