Monday, April 27, 2020

If I can just make it to rhubarb...


After a long winter, my Great Aunt Bonnie used to always say, "if I can just make it to rhubarb, I'll live another year."  Sadly, she passed away on March 9th at 92.  Every time I look at my rhubarb this spring, I think of her.  She was a strong part of my childhood and instrumental in shaping who I would become.  Everyone should have an Aunt Bonnie and I try very hard to be for my nieces what she was for me. She will be missed.
I did a little shed hunting this weekend.  You may think these
are too small to be of any use, but I have big plans for them.  You may ask why a bird feeder is included in my bounty.  I was going crazy this last year trying to remember where I put it.  Come to find out, I didn't put it anywhere.  It had blown off the deck and rolled into the woods.  That wasn't the only thing I found shed hunting.  This ruffed grouse was looking for love.  The sound of grouse drumming is one of my favorite harbingers spring.


This weekend was perfect for planting.  My square foot gardening template comes in very handy for sowing carrots.  The planter turns out to be one of my best projects.  The templates make planting a breeze.

It was a productive weekend.  Spring is around the corner.  Congratulations on making it to the rhubarb.  Let's hope that means we all have another year ahead of us.

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Spring cleaning commences...

 I did a major spring cleaning of the bathroom today.  It is amazing how good it feels to scrub everything from ceiling to floor.  The top of the quilt is finished.  Now I'm hoping I have enough material for the back and I need to order some batting.  The plan had been to just buy some at the local quilt store, but plans change.  Hopefully, there is a way to buy over the internet.  I try to stay local.  It is still snowing.  Spring is my least favorite season.  Around here it is soul crushing.



 The chipmunk and bird tracks on the porch are cute.  The tomatoes, broccoli, and melons are up.  In the greenhouse, the spinach is breaking through.  A peek at the fermenting fish was a mistake.  It is most definitely decomposing.  Luckily, you can't smell it unless some dummy takes the lid off.
I hope the weather is better where you are.  What is growing in your garden?  That is your favorite season?

Friday, April 10, 2020

Finally gardening...

I was finally able to garden this week.  I had to chop ice to get into the greenhouse. to get into the greenhouse.  It was worth it.  

I planted my wash tubs with lettuce and spinach.  We are supposed to get a bunch of snow and cold weather, so I left it at that.


I also cleaned out my compost worm bin.  The little buggers worked hard this winter.  You can see the before and after above.  I will use the soil to enrich my planters.  The jars to the left are filled with liquid compost. I will add a  tad when I water my plants.  To add to my fertilizer stash  I have a five gallon pail in the greenhouse.   In it stews my fish fertilizer.  Thanks to the carp we caught fishing.  In about four weeks, it should give my beds a much needed boost.

The bee keeper tended to the hives this week.  He cleaned out all of the dead bees, gave them some more food, and gave them a deck to sun on.  Both hives were buzzing with activity during this warm spell.

I used this wonderful compact house plant kit my husband got me to clean up my numerous indoor plants. I love the kit.  It has everything I need.  The best project this week was planting my seeds.  I started two pallets with tomatoes, melons, leeks, broccoli, squash, peppers, along with the ever elusive egg plant and luffa.  The other pallet is full of flowers.  I'm trying delphiniums, fireweed, and columbines.

Easter is tomorrow.  I'm ready for the egg hunt.  We, of course, won't be going anywhere.  Even if we wanted to it is supposed to blizzard.  Maybe a foot of snow.  Oh goody.  Sorry I haven't been commenting lately and didn't post last week.  I've been having some technical difficulties.  I think I'm back on track and will spend this storm catching up on your posts.  Meanwhile, I hope you all have a safe, healthy, and happy Easter.