A watershed, or basin, is a piece of land in which all water eventually flows to a common outlet. That’s the dry definition, but what does it mean to you? While watersheds vary in size and shape, the key is that every bit of land on earth is contained within a huge network of interconnecting watersheds.

Oh, for a farmer’s life in the Green Mountain State; languid cows for milking, sweet corn for sowing and balmy days for haying. But the life of a farmer isn’t all bread and roses; mixed in with the honest hard work are a few fairly unpleasant aspects. For example, what’s a farmer to do with a post-life cow, pig, sheep or chicken…?

After watching the welcome rain last weekend, I dreamed of skipping my yard-watering duties. But when the skies cleared and I went out to plant my bareroot berries, those hopes turned to dust. The first few millimeters of soil were wet all right, but underneath, my shovel bit into dry ground. And that isn’t abnormal. The average neatly trimmed lawn can only absorb water for the first 10 minutes of a rain event… the rest of that lovely wetness flows on across your lawn, over the driveway and right into the gutter.

Sizzling summer, the time of year when our thoughts turn to popsicles and pools… anywhere, anyhow to cool off. And what could be better than your own private little pond? It’s also this time of year, however, that one begins to notice the problems that can crop up in that bowl of liquid heaven. Is your pond turning into a mud pit? Green scum encrusted? Weeds too thick to wade through? Don’t fret and put that bathing cap back on; most pond problems have a workable solution.