I’ve been working with thenewgreen to keep Forever Labs in the best place to weather COVID19. At the same time, we have been working on a major business development. Zoom call after phone call after Zoom call. It’s a weird headspace to be in. We received our ISO biobanking certification yesterday, which is a big deal. We are the second biobank in the world to have it, and the other worked to create the standard. We passed with flying colors. I do take some pride in the quality of our lab operations.

We are getting three more days of rain, so I did a bit of grade adjustment for the rain garden, and I cut my native prairie grass plot short this morning. This would be the best time to burn it, but the city wouldn’t appreciate that. I suppose if I put in the effort, I might get them to come by and do it for me. Apparently many domestic and non-native grasses sprout early, and by cutting it back, the native grasses get a chance to sprout.

From what I have read, establishing a native prairie is a three-year project. In year one, you seed, and keep cutting it down to 6” to encourage the roots to spread. In year two, you do the same, but cut it down to 12”. Next year, I can let it grow to its full height.

I ordered a hophornbeam and an American hazelnut to fill in two places where they’ll fit.

I was in charge of my daughter’s science class yesterday. We made a terrarium in a glass bowl. After filling it with plants and some residents, she made a list of what she added in a terrarium journal. Her daily task is now to observe if there are any changes, and to record them. She also is going to record the water she adds.

I’m going to make another attempt at bread. Tomorrow, I think. I’ll try letting the yeast proof 30 minutes instead of 10 minutes first.