Cabbage out, hens back on form

The cabbage seedlings went outside this week, twenty of them in two rows. They are under netting from day one, partly for the butterflies and mostly for the hens, who think cabbage is the best thing in the garden.

The hens are laying well again after moulting in August. Five eggs most days from six birds. The oldest one has more or less retired, which is fine — she still keeps the others in line.

Watered the seedlings in the evening for three days, then left them alone. They looked sad on day two and fine by day four.