Hazy, humid, threatening rain, but nothing to show for it.
Got some onions in, finally. Found them at the hardware store in Bristol of all places. 1 row red, 1 row white, 1 row yellow. Added some dianthus to fill the rest, and the garden is done. Now we just need rain.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
May 29th, 2007
Blue skies, 90º, life is grand
The vegetables are in. 3 rows of Butter and Sugar corn, 6 tomatoes (with accompanying marigolds), 6 California bell peppers, 2 jalapenos, 4 rows of green beans. they aren't Blue Lake, can't remember the name just now. Still need onions (red, yellow, and white) and then I'll end with some ranunculus or something pretty.
The strawberries are LOADED! I've been turning on the sprinkler to keep the seeds moist, with the added benefit that the strawberries are getting fat and juicy. Showers tomorrow night so I can save the hose. Probably ought to cut the grass.
Columbine are blooming, lilacs, lily of the valley, and iris too. Pretty! Wish I had time to just sit and enjoy them. Oh, first hatch of mosquitoes this past week, as well. Bah.
The vegetables are in. 3 rows of Butter and Sugar corn, 6 tomatoes (with accompanying marigolds), 6 California bell peppers, 2 jalapenos, 4 rows of green beans. they aren't Blue Lake, can't remember the name just now. Still need onions (red, yellow, and white) and then I'll end with some ranunculus or something pretty.
The strawberries are LOADED! I've been turning on the sprinkler to keep the seeds moist, with the added benefit that the strawberries are getting fat and juicy. Showers tomorrow night so I can save the hose. Probably ought to cut the grass.
Columbine are blooming, lilacs, lily of the valley, and iris too. Pretty! Wish I had time to just sit and enjoy them. Oh, first hatch of mosquitoes this past week, as well. Bah.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
May 27, 2007
Cooler, drizzle 60º the ground, and my new plants, are loving this.
Bought a tiller today. That should help get that veggie bed in. Tomorrow? Need to prune back the raspberries. Joe said he got a boring maggot in his a few years ago, same symptoms as mine. We'll still get the second crop, but probably too late for the early one.
Bought a tiller today. That should help get that veggie bed in. Tomorrow? Need to prune back the raspberries. Joe said he got a boring maggot in his a few years ago, same symptoms as mine. We'll still get the second crop, but probably too late for the early one.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
May 26, 2007
Sunny, 80º little breeze. Lovely day.
Went to 1st Season. Picked up 2 one gallon pots - Euonymus Alatus (compacta) for (at last) the front of the house. I'm going to keep an eye out for some Hinoki Cypress, too, and maybe some variegated dogwood. Got some annuals too - petunias mostly, for a flower box (by the mail) and a hanging basket. Got tomatoes (6 varieties), some bell peppers, a red head lettuce for Tori, and a new Gaillardia for the front bed.
No further progress in the veggie bed. We're due rain tomorrow, if I get a tiller before it starts, maybe I can get the plants in on Monday.
Went to 1st Season. Picked up 2 one gallon pots - Euonymus Alatus (compacta) for (at last) the front of the house. I'm going to keep an eye out for some Hinoki Cypress, too, and maybe some variegated dogwood. Got some annuals too - petunias mostly, for a flower box (by the mail) and a hanging basket. Got tomatoes (6 varieties), some bell peppers, a red head lettuce for Tori, and a new Gaillardia for the front bed.
No further progress in the veggie bed. We're due rain tomorrow, if I get a tiller before it starts, maybe I can get the plants in on Monday.
Friday, May 25, 2007
May 25, 2007
Today promises to be hotter than yesterday 90º, not too humid, still no mosquitoes!
Ortho Max'd around the foundation yesterday - love my new power sprayer! A lot of flying ants near the front hall window - I think I was just in time to prevent an attempted incursion.
Picked up some cow manure for the vegetable bed. There's thunderstorms forecast for Sunday so I want to get that bed in by Saturday. There's a lot of work there, but Saturday promises to be cooler, so we'll see what we can do. Bought a planter to stick out on the mailbox post too. I've wanted to do this for several years, this year it will happen.
Ajuga is going great guns - very purple up front.
Ortho Max'd around the foundation yesterday - love my new power sprayer! A lot of flying ants near the front hall window - I think I was just in time to prevent an attempted incursion.
Picked up some cow manure for the vegetable bed. There's thunderstorms forecast for Sunday so I want to get that bed in by Saturday. There's a lot of work there, but Saturday promises to be cooler, so we'll see what we can do. Bought a planter to stick out on the mailbox post too. I've wanted to do this for several years, this year it will happen.
Ajuga is going great guns - very purple up front.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
May 23, 2007
Sunny, 75º
Got all the grass cut, killed the push mower. One of the wheels fell off, again, and I think its time has come. Time for a new one.
I pulled the wood away from the edges of the nursery bed in prep for tilling. There are some big weeds in that I'd rather not plow under, maybe I'll RoundUp and then till on the weekend. I'd intended to run the mower over everything. So much for that idea. I need to pick up seeds - corn maybe, green beans. I'll get some onion sets too. I dunno what else. Anything viney would have to go on a trellis, small melons maybe?
Peas are up. Columbines have buds, no flowers yet. Lilacs are blooming everywhere but here. They're on there, just not open. And the raspberries need some serious pruning - there's a lot of old wood in there that's not leafing out.
Got all the grass cut, killed the push mower. One of the wheels fell off, again, and I think its time has come. Time for a new one.
I pulled the wood away from the edges of the nursery bed in prep for tilling. There are some big weeds in that I'd rather not plow under, maybe I'll RoundUp and then till on the weekend. I'd intended to run the mower over everything. So much for that idea. I need to pick up seeds - corn maybe, green beans. I'll get some onion sets too. I dunno what else. Anything viney would have to go on a trellis, small melons maybe?
Peas are up. Columbines have buds, no flowers yet. Lilacs are blooming everywhere but here. They're on there, just not open. And the raspberries need some serious pruning - there's a lot of old wood in there that's not leafing out.
Monday, May 21, 2007
May 21, 2007
Sunny, 65º. Rain last night, drizzle this morning, clear by 10:00
The daffodil bed is done! I spent 3 1/2 hours yesterday and another 1/2 hour today pulling weeds and edging. I moved the hostas and astilbes from the nursery bed and see only one hole that could stand another astilbe. I think I'll pick up a big one when I get to First Season for tomato plants.
The daffodil bed is done! I spent 3 1/2 hours yesterday and another 1/2 hour today pulling weeds and edging. I moved the hostas and astilbes from the nursery bed and see only one hole that could stand another astilbe. I think I'll pick up a big one when I get to First Season for tomato plants.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
May 19, 2007
Drizzly and cool. 55º I'm not sure when the rest of the grass is going to be dry enough to cut. Tomorrow? I doubt it.
Planted a second sowing of Danvers 126 and moved the glass back over that bed to keep the heat in. 2 hills of Connecticut Field pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns. Mature in 100 days, which puts us at the beginning of September - a little early but not a problem. They're pumpkins, they'll keep.
Planted a second sowing of Danvers 126 and moved the glass back over that bed to keep the heat in. 2 hills of Connecticut Field pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns. Mature in 100 days, which puts us at the beginning of September - a little early but not a problem. They're pumpkins, they'll keep.
Friday, May 18, 2007
May 18, 2007
Overcast, 60º
Got the grass along the lane cut (finally!) and decided I might not wait for Laura to rent a rototiller, I might just turn the garden over by hand.
Nothing new up, the peas are swelling though - one of then popped to the surface so I shoved it back down.
Rain forecast for tomorrow night, we'll get the rest of the grass done, perhaps some pumpkins planted. Maybe green beans, too. I need to get the daff bed done and those hostas and astilbes moved. The current residents are already up so I know what needs to go where.
Found the blue eyed grass coming up again by the daylilies. Yes, it's a weed, but the flowers are so pretty. Maybe I'll move it to the perennial bed.
Got the grass along the lane cut (finally!) and decided I might not wait for Laura to rent a rototiller, I might just turn the garden over by hand.
Nothing new up, the peas are swelling though - one of then popped to the surface so I shoved it back down.
Rain forecast for tomorrow night, we'll get the rest of the grass done, perhaps some pumpkins planted. Maybe green beans, too. I need to get the daff bed done and those hostas and astilbes moved. The current residents are already up so I know what needs to go where.
Found the blue eyed grass coming up again by the daylilies. Yes, it's a weed, but the flowers are so pretty. Maybe I'll move it to the perennial bed.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
May 17, 2007
Overcast and cool 50º. It alternated drizzle and rain yesterday, also cool, and everything looking luscious and green.
The strawberries are blooming, as is the flowering almond. I should get a picture to compare the height with last year. The year before that, it was a twig. The raspberries are leafing out very slowly. Do they always?
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
May 13, 2007
Happy Mothers Day to me! What a perfect day - 65º sunny, breezy.
I got the bed along the front of the house cleared of all the dandelions and creeping charlie. I've said in the past I can grow just about anything outside, but I specialize in rocks and thistles. Rock season is well underway and I had a bumper crop today. Easily 50 pounds of rocks, perhaps closer to 75 lbs. I've started a small retaining wall at the NE end of the bed to maybe get a little closer to level. Eventually.
I got the bed along the front of the house cleared of all the dandelions and creeping charlie. I've said in the past I can grow just about anything outside, but I specialize in rocks and thistles. Rock season is well underway and I had a bumper crop today. Easily 50 pounds of rocks, perhaps closer to 75 lbs. I've started a small retaining wall at the NE end of the bed to maybe get a little closer to level. Eventually.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
May 12, 2007
Sunny, breezy 65º. We had a few showers the other night, nothing since.
The re-seeded grass up front is starting to come up. Carrots finally up (amazing what some water will do.) I'll plant a second crop tomorrow. Astilbe and hostas in daffodil bed are both showing lots of new growth. I'll move the new ones from the nursery bed this week, perhaps. Planted peas - 10 regular (Wando), 5 Sugar Snap.
I got the entire corner perennial bed done. Needs mulch, but a full wheelbarrow later, the weeding and pruning are done. There was a weird onion thing growing in front of the Seven Sisters and and clematis. I pulled it - strong chive smell, but roots, not bulbs. Weird. The Stonecrop is getting a little rowdy so I pulled handfuls and threw them over under the trees along the lane. Maybe they'll take hold and keep the dandelions at bay. Lots of dieback and rabbit damage on the shrub roses. It's all pruned out but they look pitiful. The Evening Primrose I got from Jackie looks happy and the daylilies are filling in nicely. Masses of iris. Flowering Almond is starting to bloom - I should take some pictures tomorrow. To finish the effect, I mowed that area of the lawn.
The re-seeded grass up front is starting to come up. Carrots finally up (amazing what some water will do.) I'll plant a second crop tomorrow. Astilbe and hostas in daffodil bed are both showing lots of new growth. I'll move the new ones from the nursery bed this week, perhaps. Planted peas - 10 regular (Wando), 5 Sugar Snap.
I got the entire corner perennial bed done. Needs mulch, but a full wheelbarrow later, the weeding and pruning are done. There was a weird onion thing growing in front of the Seven Sisters and and clematis. I pulled it - strong chive smell, but roots, not bulbs. Weird. The Stonecrop is getting a little rowdy so I pulled handfuls and threw them over under the trees along the lane. Maybe they'll take hold and keep the dandelions at bay. Lots of dieback and rabbit damage on the shrub roses. It's all pruned out but they look pitiful. The Evening Primrose I got from Jackie looks happy and the daylilies are filling in nicely. Masses of iris. Flowering Almond is starting to bloom - I should take some pictures tomorrow. To finish the effect, I mowed that area of the lawn.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
May 10, 2007
Sunny, 80º, low humidity (so far)
Grass all got cut Monday except the steepest of the hill along the lane. I'll get that with the push mower tomorrow, perhaps.
Went for a walk at 6:00 this morning. Flower stalks, nowhere near open, but there in the vulgaris lilac. Plenty of leaves on Miss Canada and the highbush cran. The flowering almond is loaded with buds, about twice the size of last year. Roses need serious pruning, lots of winter die off.
I noticed a flash of pink as I walked by the front bed. What the...? When did I plant this? A garden journal, for me, is most definitely a good idea.
Lettuces, spinach all up despite Daniel Bulldozer's best efforts. A few carrots, too. Perhaps a second planting this weekend. Still need to do peas.
Laura and I will split the rental of a rototiller, perhaps next weekend. Ahhh, it's really spring.
Grass all got cut Monday except the steepest of the hill along the lane. I'll get that with the push mower tomorrow, perhaps.
Went for a walk at 6:00 this morning. Flower stalks, nowhere near open, but there in the vulgaris lilac. Plenty of leaves on Miss Canada and the highbush cran. The flowering almond is loaded with buds, about twice the size of last year. Roses need serious pruning, lots of winter die off.
I noticed a flash of pink as I walked by the front bed. What the...? When did I plant this? A garden journal, for me, is most definitely a good idea.Lettuces, spinach all up despite Daniel Bulldozer's best efforts. A few carrots, too. Perhaps a second planting this weekend. Still need to do peas.
Laura and I will split the rental of a rototiller, perhaps next weekend. Ahhh, it's really spring.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Tic, tic, tick!
Sunshine, 65º
Ugh. I got nabbed by a tick. I think it must have been on (in?) my sweatshirt, and when I slipped it on this morning, it climbed under my shirt and took hold in the middle of my lower back. That, unfortunately, is as close to nature as I got today.
The trouts are blooming, both lettuces are up, a few signs of life from the spinach, nothing from thew carrots yet. Daffs all opened at once this year.
Ugh. I got nabbed by a tick. I think it must have been on (in?) my sweatshirt, and when I slipped it on this morning, it climbed under my shirt and took hold in the middle of my lower back. That, unfortunately, is as close to nature as I got today.
The trouts are blooming, both lettuces are up, a few signs of life from the spinach, nothing from thew carrots yet. Daffs all opened at once this year.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
May 5, 2007
Green Up Day
Clear blue skies, 60º. Windy (but not windy enough for Simon to get his kite to stay airborn)
Put the mower deck on the tractor, took off the plow. The deck needed leveling, but cuts like a dream. I only mowed enough to make sure it works, Scott can do the rest tomorrow.
Moved the sprinkler over to the new topsoil. We've had no rain since I seeded. Figures.
The lettuces are sprouting, nothing else in the bed yet. I've bought snow peas and regular ones, will plant them tomorrow. I'm going to try them in pots. Can you grow peas in pots? Can I?
Spent 2 hours with the lawn mower, the pruners, and my chainsaw brush-hogging, clearing all the way around the Nannyberry viburnum. Not much more than that - the scrub is thick. But I like the way it looks now. The viburnum has a lot of dead branches - once it leafs out I'll spend some time doing some selective pruning and try to bring this old bush back to glory.
Tomorrow I must remember SUNSCREEN.
Clear blue skies, 60º. Windy (but not windy enough for Simon to get his kite to stay airborn)
Put the mower deck on the tractor, took off the plow. The deck needed leveling, but cuts like a dream. I only mowed enough to make sure it works, Scott can do the rest tomorrow.
Moved the sprinkler over to the new topsoil. We've had no rain since I seeded. Figures.
The lettuces are sprouting, nothing else in the bed yet. I've bought snow peas and regular ones, will plant them tomorrow. I'm going to try them in pots. Can you grow peas in pots? Can I?
Spent 2 hours with the lawn mower, the pruners, and my chainsaw brush-hogging, clearing all the way around the Nannyberry viburnum. Not much more than that - the scrub is thick. But I like the way it looks now. The viburnum has a lot of dead branches - once it leafs out I'll spend some time doing some selective pruning and try to bring this old bush back to glory.
Tomorrow I must remember SUNSCREEN.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
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