But we pray daily for a good rain to get things going once it is planted. I went with our friend, Tom, who helped us so much after Bob died, when we were building our log house, as he had another appointment at Mayo Clinic for tests. I had to laugh, as it rained heavily all night and most of the next day. At home, 5½ hours north? Nope. Well, that’s a lie. Will said it rained .003 of an inch, barely enough to wet the ground for an hour. We did get another “rain” yesterday, to the tune of .002 inch. By morning, the ground is dry as a bone. Nope, that didn’t do any good.
Today, I’m busy again, planting pole beans in the Wolf, North, and Main Gardens. While I was gone, Will put up pole bean trellises in all those gardens for me to plant when I got back. Meanwhile, he also hauled in a big pile of firewood we’d split a week ago in our “spare” time. We have two seasons in Minnesota. Winter and getting ready for winter. Ha ha. As we burn a dozen full cords of wood, we have to start as soon as the weather warms up a little, come spring.
I’ve been too busy to plant lettuce in my old stock tank planter. I guess the lettuce had another idea. I glanced at the tank which had not been messed with all spring. It was full of both Dark Red Lollo Rossa and Paris Island Romaine plants. Yep, last year’s lettuce had self-seeded! And not only did it reseed in the tank but in the lawn, there were more little lettuce plants. How neat that is!
We’re seeing big flocks of Canadian Geese on our beaver ponds lately. I think they’re being driven out of Canada by the huge wildfires that are sending smoke down over us. I know our eyes are burning and noses are running from it. It can’t be good to breathe — yuck! I know it’s hard to get those fires out though, as they are in such remote places. We’re praying for a good rain for the fires and our poor gardens. But we’re also gearing up for drought. Will got the big water pump all set and is now working on the small gas pump as we think we’ll have to water the Wolf and North Gardens with them. It’s a lot more work but should save the gardens, pumping out of David’s spring basin and the IBC tote on the back of the pickup.
Well, back to planting! Have a wonderful day. — Jackie
Jackie, We are about 30 miles SE of Columbus, Ohio and we have the smoke here, too. Last year was a drought year for us and this one seems to be setting up in the same pattern. Rain all around us, even a half mile from us, but not anything here but .003″. Wishing you rain, enough but not too much. The surprise lettuce is your thank you for being so kind to your friend Tom. It is heartwarming to hear that good people do help each other. Good luck with your gardens, take care, we appreciate the time you take to keep us all posted.
You can’t beat volunteer heirloom plants. I can see red berries from a window in my house so I’ll be out there in the morning. Beauty of work from home on a team that is down to two peeps (and the other peep has health issues) is beggars can’t be choosers. Hours even out at the end is all I can say.
It is always firewood season – be it splitting and/or stocking up the “branch bank” (to be split wood).
So nice to hear of you helping Tom – not near enough good folks helping other good folks out these days.