We got some warm, dry days and we’re really at it now. Will tried out the new-to-us manure spreader and I watched as he made his first pass in the Wolf Garden. We have a crate of onion plants heading our way from Texas and want to make sure we’re all ready for them when they come. I wanted them shipped May 12th, but I got an email that they’re on the way. Whooo gotta get crackin’, huh? We were both excited to see, not only did the spreader work but it spread the manure very evenly and finely, on the garden. And, as the Wolf Garden is half a mile from the cow yard, where the piled manure is, we’re thrilled that the new manure spreader is nearly twice the size of our old one. That’s much less travel time, which equals more manure spread on a garden in less time.
Yesterday, Will hooked up to the old road grader to grade our driveway as the cow yard and pasture were getting rutted up, as it was still pretty wet. He wanted it to dry out some before spreading more manure. He finished grading it today, and the mile and a half long driveway is in much better shape, with fewer potholes and rough spots.
We were thrilled to see a pair of Trumpeter Swans out on the beaver pond all day yesterday. I’d hoped they might nest there as they sat on the little island for quite a while in the afternoon. But when we got up this morning, they were gone.
I’m planting Hopi Pale Grey squash seeds inside when I’m not busy outside. Today, I was helping Will get through the gates in the cow yard as he figured he could bring manure out the front gate and not have to go through the pasture. That worked great. I went ahead of him, with his first load, to the Wolf Garden again. When I got up to the driveway, there was a big fox! Pretty close to the orchard and chickens! But he zipped into the woods nearby. Later, Will saw him heading for the house, stalking something. We were worried it might be Buffy, our cat. I took Hondo with me up there quickly. But we didn’t see the fox, nor Buffy. I was sure glad when a little while later, I spotted Buffy, sitting peacefully up in the sun, on a pile of lumber, in the storage barn. You can bet she’s in the house now! Yes, foxes WILL catch and eat cats, regardless of what some folks on the internet say. And, yes, we love foxes, even though they have snagged a few birds, off and on. Hey, we moved into their neighborhood.
Our first daffodils are blooming! I discovered some by mistake, looking for Buffy. They are in our hosta bed, and I hadn’t looked over there for a few days. I was pretty surprised to see them. Beautiful! — Jackie
Boy does Will stay busy! with the tractors, manure spreadin, grading, cleaning up gardens. You are even Busier it seems. ;canning , sorting seeds, gate operator. The lists for you two are endless. Spring is the busy season, once it dries/warms up . Yesterday I cultivated the unplanted half garden with Troybuilt, Was it ever Dry! the winds have been sucking out the moisture fast. nights are still hovering over mid 30’s so everything is hesitant to sprout. had to set up irrigation system. usually harvesting our first lettuce(yet to sprout, Sure glad have a tray in green house growing nicely) radishes, which are still just first leaf -for 2 weeks!. weather system is playin havoc with us all. sure glad to hear Buffy safe an snugg :)
My onion plants are on the way too. I’m working on a bed in a hoop house for them. We are still freezing most nights but if I have to I can run a free standing propane heater if I have to. I could put some fabric row cover over the bed instead. I’m not sure how much frost onions can take. I’ll plant squash and cucumber seeds in the house tomorrow. The cucumbers will transplant into hanging baskets in the green house. I have a wood stove in there if necessary.
They take a frost but new plants sometimes get set back when it gets in the 20’s. I’m still working on squash and will get started on melons and a few cucumbers soon. So far, our nights have been in the 40’s but I know that will drop unexpectedly into the 20’s. We’ve got to be careful because of that!
Regarding Denali and ForJars Canning lids: I have recently purchased both brands. Alas, minuscule print on the bottom of the boxes states that both brands are made in China.
Blaine’s Farm and Fleet has Anchor Hocking lids made in the USA for $2.99 per package. Only issue is they do charge a bit for shipping.
+Thanks for the tip!
Nothing better than a new-2-you, bigger and better honey wagon. Any wild life is a hazard to cats.
Harvested a boat load of morels Saturday – from place we’ve never harvested before. Almost 3 dozen shrooms, good 1 1/2 pounds. Found a couple the next day. Even if we don’t find another one this season, we had a good haul. Hoping our other area sprouts a few. Full disclosure – hunting on property we own.
We’re pretty careful of our cats. The come in for the evening as there are way too many predators out there at night. I once lost one to a Great Horned Owl, just before dark. That made me feel awful!
Great haul on the morels! A long time ago, back in Michigan, a friend and I were riding horseback through their woods and there was a HUGE flood of morels. We each picked a burlap sack full and there were many more. I canned up mine and enjoyed them for two years! That was spectacular. Here, I only see an occasional one, don’t pick and hope they’ll eventually spread.
You canned mushrooms? Never heard that one before. Is there anything you will not try, Jackie? Chuckling from far north California