Road to Glory
Fogbound
Splashacata
Louisa's Song
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Views from the Orchards
Many of the orchards that I scout each week have views like these. There's more to come.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Raised Beds and Cold Frames
My mom and I spent the day building raised beds for our square foot gardens. We have four done so far. Time to go scrounge for more lumber. The first frame was originally a picnic table. We left some of the metal on since it was difficult to take off plus it will work to support row covers.
I also planted tons of melon, summer and winter squash, and pumpkin seeds last night. Many more seeds to plant tomorrow.
Next is to build vine supports and bamboo tepees for the beans and peas.
Moms property is surrounded by a horse farm which provides endless, free manure for us. They even load it free! It's mixed with straw bedding and composted for years.
I dug out some sod to create a cold frame. We were going to build a wood framed one but I figured this is just as good for now. We have the irises about half weeded now and the garlic is growing great. You can see the garlic running along the cold frame.
Some views of the yard. It will look much different in the coming weeks.
I also planted tons of melon, summer and winter squash, and pumpkin seeds last night. Many more seeds to plant tomorrow.
Next is to build vine supports and bamboo tepees for the beans and peas.
Moms property is surrounded by a horse farm which provides endless, free manure for us. They even load it free! It's mixed with straw bedding and composted for years.
I dug out some sod to create a cold frame. We were going to build a wood framed one but I figured this is just as good for now. We have the irises about half weeded now and the garlic is growing great. You can see the garlic running along the cold frame.
Some views of the yard. It will look much different in the coming weeks.
Some new blooms
A bunch of my SDB irises. I haven't had the time to go through the iris maps and label them yet so they shall remain nameless for now. Please ignore the weeds. They are coming out slowly but surely. LOL
All the new tall beardeds are sending up stalks too. This June will be much more of a show than I anticipated.
A bunch of Tulips we put in last fall. Tulips actually multiply here! I'm happy to see that I already have more tulips than I planted last fall. I will be moving them to new places when they are done blooming. We just kind of threw them in during November.
This one is Queen of the Night. Each bulb has three or more blooms!
All the new tall beardeds are sending up stalks too. This June will be much more of a show than I anticipated.
A bunch of Tulips we put in last fall. Tulips actually multiply here! I'm happy to see that I already have more tulips than I planted last fall. I will be moving them to new places when they are done blooming. We just kind of threw them in during November.
This one is Queen of the Night. Each bulb has three or more blooms!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
I will be back!
Hi everyone, I don't have Internet access during the week at the moment. I will be doing some posts tomorrow and through the weekend though. I've got lots to share!
Michelle
Michelle
Monday, May 3, 2010
Backyard Bird Drama
A few days ago I was able to sit outback and watch the five little nuthatches leave the nest. What a fun experience! Last year they left when I was gone so I was disappointed to miss them. Each one spent minutes looking around and then finally getting the courage to pop out and fly to a nearby tree. Soon the woods were filled with baby birds. What a joy!
Today, I made myself a cup of coffee and went into the living room. Suddenly, I heard Robins screeching in the backyard. I ran out the door and saw four or more Robins flying around one of the Robins nests. Then a large crow flies away with a baby Robin in it's claws!!! How awful! Everyone settles down after a short chase. The parents end up flitting back and forth between some smaller trees. I finally looked down and there was a little Robin in the grass, close to the porch. It must have been dislodged during the scuffle. The parents are feeding it but I wonder if it has a chance. I don't know what stage it's at as far as maturity goes. It looks pretty well feathered. I want to go out there and protect him but I know that is not the correct thing to do right?
Our neighbors have six outdoor cats that use our yard as a passage to the neighborhood. I hope they are past their hunting age. They seem to be indifferent to most things. Fingers crossed.
Today, I made myself a cup of coffee and went into the living room. Suddenly, I heard Robins screeching in the backyard. I ran out the door and saw four or more Robins flying around one of the Robins nests. Then a large crow flies away with a baby Robin in it's claws!!! How awful! Everyone settles down after a short chase. The parents end up flitting back and forth between some smaller trees. I finally looked down and there was a little Robin in the grass, close to the porch. It must have been dislodged during the scuffle. The parents are feeding it but I wonder if it has a chance. I don't know what stage it's at as far as maturity goes. It looks pretty well feathered. I want to go out there and protect him but I know that is not the correct thing to do right?
Our neighbors have six outdoor cats that use our yard as a passage to the neighborhood. I hope they are past their hunting age. They seem to be indifferent to most things. Fingers crossed.
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