For me, we finally recieved some long awaited rain, for a cople days of slow soak, sun came out a couple days and now its lightly raining again again... In between the rain, I have been stringing tomatoes, clearing the low leaves and starting to add this summers sponge layer starting with a 50:50 mix of soil and compost I made through the winter. Once the beds are complete and I get about 20 more plants transplanted, I bring in fresh shredded hardwood mulch to top the beds off. I pulled the poly off and the shading off the tunnel...

Lemon balm and linden have a lot in common, although they do not support the body in the exact same way. Both are gentle calming herbs. Both can help when the nervous system feels stirred up, sleep is light, stress sits in the chest or stomach, or the evening mind will not settle. Lemon balm is bright, lemony, and uplifting. It can help with anxiety, low mood, nervous digestion, and emotional heaviness. It is a beautiful herb, although it carries a stronger caution around hypothyroidism and thyroid medication, especially with steady daily use. Linden is softer and broader. It calms the nerves, moistens dry tissues, soothes the throat, supports gentle sweating during cold season, relaxes chest tension, and has a long tradition around heart and blood vessel support when stress is part of the pattern. That is why linden may be a better everyday base herb for many family tea blends. It gives a similar calming feel, although it also brings moisture, heart support, throat comfort, and fewer thyroid concerns. A simple way to remember it: Lemon balm is the bright friend that settles the mind and lifts the mood. Linden is the shade tree that helps the whole system soften, breathe, cool, and rest. Both belong in the home apothecary, although linden may be the easier daily choice when we want calm without pushing too hard in one direction.

Opened up the poly tunnel to increase air flow as well as continue to spring tomato plants guiding them to share their space. Going to experiment with leaving the shade cloth on for a bit hopefully shading them from the heavy rains predicted this week.

@Betsy Moll I remember when you was filling your beds last year, there was opinions on the best raised bed soil and method but do not remember the mix you settled on... For everyone that uses raised beds, what is your soil mix?

@Marlene Gould sent me this image from Toronto...