tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31976755947055610752024-03-05T14:19:35.210-08:00The Garden StateKeeping it rural on 5 acres in New JerseyA Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-66558575197573696392011-06-05T05:47:00.000-07:002011-06-05T05:47:20.856-07:00Bolting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The rain has cleared and it's warm and sunny. The warm, wet weather has brought my flowers out in spades. Including some flowers that I don't really want to see. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh7fw7O3kGC0f-2J_ytJ6NXNbnu9DYhlkAAxENlR32I_-JeLHRDbF29pKmXhlTurSSIZ6fBsxDPbwiXDM4ALcNLzUZG1PKA6CUAtPOpugScdvsXGuPOHCjFsgHvm0PgboibAZlh-u_Qo/s1600/DSC_0773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh7fw7O3kGC0f-2J_ytJ6NXNbnu9DYhlkAAxENlR32I_-JeLHRDbF29pKmXhlTurSSIZ6fBsxDPbwiXDM4ALcNLzUZG1PKA6CUAtPOpugScdvsXGuPOHCjFsgHvm0PgboibAZlh-u_Qo/s400/DSC_0773.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mustard </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
My spring veggies are going to seed. Bummer. They were so tasty, I wish they would stick around a little longer.<br />
<br />
But all is not lost. Those flowers produce seeds, and those seeds will grow a new crop of cool season veggies in the fall. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3fRkmlnYEfAHJU19lvYUPoh-5RJI2LBtvU3mSpu3pewWkZmpd3Iu9e6mOkTpxkxAS3IbEZBUwofAdletwSAdnXPKWR49mUeRgANZGbu8hkn7oaHydtdfKEiarU6dtv6X_FtruXmW0dQ/s1600/DSC_0761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3fRkmlnYEfAHJU19lvYUPoh-5RJI2LBtvU3mSpu3pewWkZmpd3Iu9e6mOkTpxkxAS3IbEZBUwofAdletwSAdnXPKWR49mUeRgANZGbu8hkn7oaHydtdfKEiarU6dtv6X_FtruXmW0dQ/s400/DSC_0761.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese broccoli with seed pods</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
I only wish I'd managed to get a radish to eat. They never did set a good root. Actually, I've never gotten them to set in the spring. They do wonderfully in the fall, though. And the flowers are quite pretty.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZRh-dv6lBY23RvVt3KDu4J6IcDcH-8dnESgGPqwSGYXfSwJ1jkfYU-diJTDGU07yC4Pya3hrZD1-bAl6_s5Y_M7pZQH8gnWFB2MS7Vvc0YTmotj_qZon53YcXCfG5s5TYPrN2LukFlM/s1600/DSC_0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZRh-dv6lBY23RvVt3KDu4J6IcDcH-8dnESgGPqwSGYXfSwJ1jkfYU-diJTDGU07yC4Pya3hrZD1-bAl6_s5Y_M7pZQH8gnWFB2MS7Vvc0YTmotj_qZon53YcXCfG5s5TYPrN2LukFlM/s400/DSC_0749.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Radish Flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
But not as pretty as the arugula. I love the purple streaks through the petals.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdhM0BwvusewSH8zbz1J0OL51-_5EHGWDFJdIyK9vLKQNk8eme52ZCzOkZhyCoUj04zDN0yGyMU03yArmuYIjvVIAqhscmNggLohiDhzPyWxw6Vzkbkej-vXWs5XPF55jHIDQyT6BUeA/s1600/DSC_0745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdhM0BwvusewSH8zbz1J0OL51-_5EHGWDFJdIyK9vLKQNk8eme52ZCzOkZhyCoUj04zDN0yGyMU03yArmuYIjvVIAqhscmNggLohiDhzPyWxw6Vzkbkej-vXWs5XPF55jHIDQyT6BUeA/s400/DSC_0745.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arugula flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Everything in this bed came from George of<a href="http://fromseedtoscrumptious.blogspot.com/"> From Seed To Scrumptious</a>. I named it "George's Garden". Those dandelions were almost too beautiful to eat, but they were also too delicious to leave alone!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCT87XvDYGgzayr3U7rFQM3DrofA5aeJWFco4Q3hFqnIPu8GXMs2c90PqWrs-72ZosSuenhrX2-HwfgdOfUvIHnvY8mernXh2m3-ma9VsLnw_sYzVSqwat9RQwaJm3bm_aiLXgshWcABM/s1600/DSC_0779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCT87XvDYGgzayr3U7rFQM3DrofA5aeJWFco4Q3hFqnIPu8GXMs2c90PqWrs-72ZosSuenhrX2-HwfgdOfUvIHnvY8mernXh2m3-ma9VsLnw_sYzVSqwat9RQwaJm3bm_aiLXgshWcABM/s400/DSC_0779.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who says a veggie garden can't be pretty? </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
I do see some blooms that are welcome in my veggie garden, though.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsokg0HM4DyeR5HxZpKN6BQuVigM90nf0mzWXLkJMVeo8ozQZcdKRAwD9lTDhiic2KzxzgwGkE8x-MpDJ9ehK6Yx1ygv9Sz3iMw49K38gjyl9QHBdZH_2HX5L9CdmStVGDueEo42kxxM/s1600/DSC_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsokg0HM4DyeR5HxZpKN6BQuVigM90nf0mzWXLkJMVeo8ozQZcdKRAwD9lTDhiic2KzxzgwGkE8x-MpDJ9ehK6Yx1ygv9Sz3iMw49K38gjyl9QHBdZH_2HX5L9CdmStVGDueEo42kxxM/s400/DSC_0753.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato Flowers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-81435312739423273362011-05-31T10:14:00.000-07:002011-05-31T10:14:19.227-07:00Blooming<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Finally! My roses are putting on a show.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6psjZTSoSWLxY6ERJvtuA7dmPS8QiBA1DdZrqdBl49djhqOfFZ-uGGrRz8f5a6f0MwXF0ytVZqk1g6nzCWWiDh1G2GBskrd7nhi_4vpN63hOBkle0q0oS6XN1CAKTSa3dkTvlM_ZIvc/s1600/DSC_0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6psjZTSoSWLxY6ERJvtuA7dmPS8QiBA1DdZrqdBl49djhqOfFZ-uGGrRz8f5a6f0MwXF0ytVZqk1g6nzCWWiDh1G2GBskrd7nhi_4vpN63hOBkle0q0oS6XN1CAKTSa3dkTvlM_ZIvc/s400/DSC_0777.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Midnight Blue'</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qHfOTxRp4Be37JotgwDaFTnRYXxuistHO06aYT9fZWdIY-fL4nvFkfQd_ZObNhFi1U90WZJsNpT6aJxM6bsWRuuIhEo-mnucK5NAZEiYti5V09a05WQDBFxAzmBLE0bzWqExtpTJpzc/s1600/DSC_0775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qHfOTxRp4Be37JotgwDaFTnRYXxuistHO06aYT9fZWdIY-fL4nvFkfQd_ZObNhFi1U90WZJsNpT6aJxM6bsWRuuIhEo-mnucK5NAZEiYti5V09a05WQDBFxAzmBLE0bzWqExtpTJpzc/s400/DSC_0775.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Showbiz'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ignore the weeds, I haven't finished the rose beds yet. I plan on adding more roses, and then doing a final "reveal... like all those fancy shows on HGTV have.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hUq3Y0lGlUSPUwBuopfDJl_PGITozOPfVMe_cUHMQPJWXh2b5HtH_KKFtawnX4LITt0eX-g-hBTN8uMadcAxq8rlLpqRLK1b4x1Z9zbDj9DWh884VxHy-Y_23d4NEd-vHT0SpN6vQ3E/s1600/DSC_0439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hUq3Y0lGlUSPUwBuopfDJl_PGITozOPfVMe_cUHMQPJWXh2b5HtH_KKFtawnX4LITt0eX-g-hBTN8uMadcAxq8rlLpqRLK1b4x1Z9zbDj9DWh884VxHy-Y_23d4NEd-vHT0SpN6vQ3E/s400/DSC_0439.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Marmalade Skies'</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUihzanXxvYEPkXdmd3ZSWUT3Lt6guDakoR-dPrtIR6nWSGQh6TtDaEZ_n8MHSXI5r_wuRNljqq4zyIJFiBb8647k7yoJZXShJnoMehs2O_RV6-v4UW9hjH57S0LBmZEXXiVz1RJqkI8/s1600/DSC_0754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUihzanXxvYEPkXdmd3ZSWUT3Lt6guDakoR-dPrtIR6nWSGQh6TtDaEZ_n8MHSXI5r_wuRNljqq4zyIJFiBb8647k7yoJZXShJnoMehs2O_RV6-v4UW9hjH57S0LBmZEXXiVz1RJqkI8/s400/DSC_0754.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Firefighter'</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Blogger has been giving me fits this past week. I'm having trouble leaving comments on other's blogs and even posting on my own. I think most people are having these issues, too. Hopefully it will be resolved soon!</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-48602322651015028382011-05-27T11:24:00.000-07:002011-05-27T11:28:31.416-07:00Stinkbugs!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03_WsEU5VVar3QfcJg_FoGIdPlcJyabM2qfMvgW9ilD7-8gTGjwpzDMgajSuBkoaF8wPaFMARYGfh9xqhpLyDSS5aj-NvzQOCriEqadtEO75vM9B20947Onh59sIMN6_VBI2wb6SIZ4o/s1600/DSC_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03_WsEU5VVar3QfcJg_FoGIdPlcJyabM2qfMvgW9ilD7-8gTGjwpzDMgajSuBkoaF8wPaFMARYGfh9xqhpLyDSS5aj-NvzQOCriEqadtEO75vM9B20947Onh59sIMN6_VBI2wb6SIZ4o/s400/DSC_0768.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Marmorated Stinkbug</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I hate stinkbugs. I really, really hate them. I loathe them with an all consuming passion that defies logic and sense.<br />
<br />
It wasn't always this way. When I first started noticing them last year I was fairly indifferent. I had heard that the East Coast was facing a plague of the things, but it didn't really seem so bad. They didn't seem to be doing much damage. They just had an obnoxious tendency to be places they shouldn't be. Then, upon being disturbed, they would release their stink. Annoying, but not really harmful. Little did I know.....<br />
<br />
It started innocently enough. I was on the tractor, minding my own business. It was a warm, sunny day. I had a nice cold beer. I was riding my tractor. I had not a care in the world. And then I was assaulted.<br />
<br />
One of those horrid little bugs <i>flew down my pants</i>! <br />
<br />
I did what anyone would do in such a dire situation: I screamed like a little girl and started leaping around and flailing in an attempt to get rid of the stinkbug. The stinkbug, obviously offended by my histrionics, released its stink. So, now I had a stinkbug in my pants <i>and</i> I smelled like stinkbug. Oh, and I wasn't driving the tractor.<br />
<br />
Tractors have very sensitive steering. They also don't necessarily stop just because you take your foot off the gas pedal. Luckily, tractors are also very slow. As I flailed and leaped, the tractor careened about like a drunken turtle. <br />
<br />
I eventually managed to remove the stinkbug and regain control of the tractor. Then I looked around to make sure no one had witnessed that spectacle. I can only imagine what an innocent bystander would have thought: "What's up with that lunatic on the tractor? Does she have rabies or something?"<br />
<br />
My hatred of the Brown Marmorated Stinkbug was cemented that day. I have since learned that they also destroy crops and are a real threat to local agriculture. I've also heard that they have no predators here. My chickens and ducks won't touch them. Even my cat, a bug connoisseur, turns his nose up at them. I have however, discovered one animal that eats them:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbMfHlU3f28s0qzx6ofbrXbn6qERuPzv7unbpeAZJfVlWHHKJC5SB0ownJSktd48lvwtXYFPdq7Gpq_lEc929IFM8Gnri6-VbCclubd1UYFqUOi4kodIxaTKElkHuLhwHSPLqQpZOqLo/s1600/DSC_0766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbMfHlU3f28s0qzx6ofbrXbn6qERuPzv7unbpeAZJfVlWHHKJC5SB0ownJSktd48lvwtXYFPdq7Gpq_lEc929IFM8Gnri6-VbCclubd1UYFqUOi4kodIxaTKElkHuLhwHSPLqQpZOqLo/s400/DSC_0766.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got Stinkbugs?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
That's Tex, my Texas cichlid (creative name, huh?). Not only does he gobble up stinkbugs with glee, but he is also an American native. Unfortunately, his species is not native to the <i>Northeastern</i> U.S. Texas cichlids (<em>Herichthys cyanoguttatus<strong>)</strong></em> range from Northeastern Mexico to central Texas, which doesn't really help with the current stinkbug problem in colder climes. Unless you just so happen to have a Texas cichlid in an aquarium in your kitchen. If you do, you can round up all the stinkbugs you find and feed them to your Texas cichlid. It probably doesn't really make much of a dent in the overwhelming plague of stinkbugs, but it sure does make me giddy to watch Tex inhale those nasty critters!<br />
<br />
<br />
</div></div>Join the <a href="http://www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.com/">Farmgirl and Farm Friend Friday</a> Blog Hop!<br />
<br />
</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-51636986391918926302011-05-24T10:43:00.000-07:002011-05-24T10:43:27.727-07:00The Zucchini Lives On<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">You may remember my <a href="http://shannon-thegardenstate.blogspot.com/2011/02/fun-things-to-do-with-zucchini.html">post</a> about the monster zucchini I grew last year. It was a thing of beauty. Until recently it lived on the windowsill in the sunroom. Unfortunately, I forgot to close the windows in one of the many storms we've gotten recently, and my prized zucchini got wet. And then it started to rot. Poor Zucchini.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPqM56ckHy22gE7XEz0m-7fmL00EA9Buwo62_Ifd_aM0k-wxRcVlKKEYxit0n2_5Nft33hQe9IF4AGrgP-IUt35XoJzbsbl3gtwfiwukUihj14mICOrVEpR9er-pAbHjStP1_a4Tcoog/s1600/DSC_0445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPqM56ckHy22gE7XEz0m-7fmL00EA9Buwo62_Ifd_aM0k-wxRcVlKKEYxit0n2_5Nft33hQe9IF4AGrgP-IUt35XoJzbsbl3gtwfiwukUihj14mICOrVEpR9er-pAbHjStP1_a4Tcoog/s640/DSC_0445.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">R.I.P. , Dear Zucchini. You will be missed...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
I took it outside, but since it was raining I only put it next to the house rather than taking it all the way to the compost pile. Then I promptly forgot about it. Until today, that is. I happened to be on that side of the house and look what I found:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ORhCetaU2BD9BcYqq3J_6B_s_oeBr9zPXoEZZb6XxEENyWytI8zcjdHedb85SBI5QAOiUPFTXiFsksuLXco-NypaNNLPdECZr9zaqRbAeY1njpBoP-kWmN3fnlAic1mN4HHd5JJpDRo/s1600/DSC_0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ORhCetaU2BD9BcYqq3J_6B_s_oeBr9zPXoEZZb6XxEENyWytI8zcjdHedb85SBI5QAOiUPFTXiFsksuLXco-NypaNNLPdECZr9zaqRbAeY1njpBoP-kWmN3fnlAic1mN4HHd5JJpDRo/s400/DSC_0743.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Zucchini lives!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I planted it in the garden. We'll see what happens.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2wbU-cVauA08YKBnCvOtzI2vAGRoVJlaSqJKvJ4NvmNx07O3GtGMV2_p_h-l7dpjD2S_F4Bo_aHGRsbmRh1r9oYm2kueHWgTZgtbybumdaI83gjJWfcoWsHnngySwo6C2wxds9fxO_g/s1600/DSC_0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2wbU-cVauA08YKBnCvOtzI2vAGRoVJlaSqJKvJ4NvmNx07O3GtGMV2_p_h-l7dpjD2S_F4Bo_aHGRsbmRh1r9oYm2kueHWgTZgtbybumdaI83gjJWfcoWsHnngySwo6C2wxds9fxO_g/s400/DSC_0758.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-33289749780918992262011-05-22T14:33:00.000-07:002011-05-22T14:33:06.357-07:00The Anticipation Is Killing Me....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's been raining here for a week. No sun at all, just gray and wet. But this afternoon the sun finally broke through the clouds! And what did I see?<div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfepAcaUBZWr3QJzb8ALouT3XSGgg9QIg5ZgzIcYmPgQiFptKmoQbRuEiKwZ54lyNspshYhCFFypSXk6lT5NRV9k8N9qmwBqcyU9fP-ZCH5XpMWRqu8wEcKxlZWnvz7zmFQC45pSbHzI/s1600/DSC_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfepAcaUBZWr3QJzb8ALouT3XSGgg9QIg5ZgzIcYmPgQiFptKmoQbRuEiKwZ54lyNspshYhCFFypSXk6lT5NRV9k8N9qmwBqcyU9fP-ZCH5XpMWRqu8wEcKxlZWnvz7zmFQC45pSbHzI/s640/DSC_0437.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Marmalade Skies'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My roses are getting ready to bloom!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyKsamjVQ-4zpqW3dK6f3DnwHU7j04a6Y3dkkTNJdZs0em2zo8PAJ4rsSsNBvhpakBM8oDx9BnH7Nl_UODGj-VVe-zJEx6YWxQbJZ-AEzaXN7bbBd4X40fm_9iHW5d1JEMbxDKSVW8BM/s1600/DSC_0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyKsamjVQ-4zpqW3dK6f3DnwHU7j04a6Y3dkkTNJdZs0em2zo8PAJ4rsSsNBvhpakBM8oDx9BnH7Nl_UODGj-VVe-zJEx6YWxQbJZ-AEzaXN7bbBd4X40fm_9iHW5d1JEMbxDKSVW8BM/s640/DSC_0765.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Midnight Blue'<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I can't wait!</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kuyPwJk-xVUTkawYF1pJizZlHes1fNnNPYLUjof5Hj7qr2wKCWUDk9GOMx6hgVWx4NK3DEFp4Kz6GWaM8yHe0MeIUHCSQeeO0FgecIr_IDK-jAu5gIH2FveTWlK7LgKj41SLZFRmV9c/s1600/DSC_0744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kuyPwJk-xVUTkawYF1pJizZlHes1fNnNPYLUjof5Hj7qr2wKCWUDk9GOMx6hgVWx4NK3DEFp4Kz6GWaM8yHe0MeIUHCSQeeO0FgecIr_IDK-jAu5gIH2FveTWlK7LgKj41SLZFRmV9c/s640/DSC_0744.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Firefighter'</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
</div></div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-76546036008760573462011-05-20T07:09:00.000-07:002011-05-20T07:09:14.323-07:00Muck<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's been raining for days. Days. Everything is muddy. And, when you live with hooved mammals, you get a special kind of super-sucky mud. My horses weigh about 1200 pounds. All that weight is balanced on pointy, sharp hooves that are only about 6 inches in diameter. That pretty much makes horses the most efficient rototillers ever. The churning of those little hooves makes the mud around here really, really deep.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcBFsy-mOcpBM6ckTFzmpIzn88HC_5muHlp8XroVsLHZscGvZrtDo_HzEaMeAfjkERKNAkJ1L4z-1-NZ1IfYW6rL4uHisX93IdTE-PIbV-EudYmD6k19AVwm8tV-oOLkneHWHUYtA1pI/s1600/DSC_0465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcBFsy-mOcpBM6ckTFzmpIzn88HC_5muHlp8XroVsLHZscGvZrtDo_HzEaMeAfjkERKNAkJ1L4z-1-NZ1IfYW6rL4uHisX93IdTE-PIbV-EudYmD6k19AVwm8tV-oOLkneHWHUYtA1pI/s400/DSC_0465.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very Large Rototiller</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
The other important thing to know about horses is that they poop every 2-3 hours. And, in a cruel evolutionary joke, they lack the opposable thumbs necessary to clean up after themselves. So, that leaves it up to me to clean up. Luckily, I have a handy-dandy dump cart to help me. It hooks up to the lawn mower like so:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahgxyxUhSU8GEzMn_GtK6cWws9c_5-8MKvo9T5zrMk86TG2XVhc8Bc9PFu1-YGptxPQ4pNOu1LEfrg_KgX4gEQXahgxx8QtpJClzlTFmV0Mt5zUQBOl-p0MxLg2Zuc_KlEBdI8O5V5HE/s1600/DSC_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahgxyxUhSU8GEzMn_GtK6cWws9c_5-8MKvo9T5zrMk86TG2XVhc8Bc9PFu1-YGptxPQ4pNOu1LEfrg_KgX4gEQXahgxx8QtpJClzlTFmV0Mt5zUQBOl-p0MxLg2Zuc_KlEBdI8O5V5HE/s400/DSC_0437.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
With my handy-dandy dump cart and lawn mower I can zip around the pastures and clean up with no problems. Unless its muddy. Lawn mowers hate mud. Especially deep, sticky, hoof churned mud. Do you see where this is going? I wish I had.....<br />
<br />
I was very skillfully maneuvering my lawn mower through the mud, being careful to stay in areas where it wasn't too deep. I thought I was very clever. But, as my cart got more full, it got heavier. As the cart got heavier, the mower sank lower into the mud. Eventually, the inevitable happened... I got stuck. I rocked the mower, I crammed straw beneath the tires, I kicked it and yelled obscenities (didn't help get it unstuck, but made me feel better). Nothing was working. I was stuck.<br />
<br />
Enter our hero:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWg4adgn7rvlnhBExG3RofFyb_omZoowZ88Nv0-uESI5yUI4JVS7TfyzdT6OZI8EH2kl2zofMSoG4R7PziToP-B8MB1VXW7rkIwJrh66V-UG9ioYumB4tRHBW5l5jrNItpiGoqTOb0KY/s1600/DSC_0772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWg4adgn7rvlnhBExG3RofFyb_omZoowZ88Nv0-uESI5yUI4JVS7TfyzdT6OZI8EH2kl2zofMSoG4R7PziToP-B8MB1VXW7rkIwJrh66V-UG9ioYumB4tRHBW5l5jrNItpiGoqTOb0KY/s400/DSC_0772.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I would have to pull the mower out of the mud with the tractor (I probably should have been using the tractor instead of the lawn mower in the first place, but I digress...). The problem: the only place to hook the straps to pull out the lawn mower is the back bumper. The back bumper that had a dump cart full of horse manure attached to it. I would have to take the dump cart off and move it to get the lawn mower unstuck. Do you know how heavy a dump cart full of poop is? I do.<br />
<br />
As I struggled with the dump cart in the slick mud, I wondered to myself "How long before I manage to injure myself doing this?". Not long. Pretty much as soon as the thought was finished, I slipped and went face first into the back of the lawn mower. To add insult to injury, as I fell I tripped the dump mechanism on the cart. All the manure I had diligently picked up was now right back on the ground. I surveyed the scene: The mower was still stuck, the cart was also now stuck, there was poop everywhere, I was covered in mud (I hope it was mud) and rapidly developing a nice shiner on my eye. At this point, I did what any sane person would do: I went back to the house and made myself a margarita.<br />
<br />
Invigorated by tequila and lime, I was able to scoop up the manure, move the cart, hook up the mower and pull it free. From now on I think I will avoid using the lawn mower in the mud.<br />
<br />
Next project: teaching the horses to clean up after themselves!<br />
<br />
<br />
Join the <a href="http://www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.com/2011/05/farmgirl-and-farm-friend-friday-blog.html">Farmgirl and Farm Friend Friday</a> Blog Hop!</div><br />
<a border="0" href="http://www.verdefarm.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i390/VerdeFarm/farmgirlfridaybuttonforamycopy150.jpg" /></a></div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-13394941223856314002011-05-16T08:34:00.000-07:002011-05-16T08:34:23.912-07:00Where Have I Been?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ci2s8L3SgXVx1pkPkdLe4xl5KrxQRPNb69Di6uMoW_-CsTurMC-BByzMjY7IxVU2oLBqT5xHKwY-_HW5Mr5KS7GMB5fVsjFMSE4CyfcD8jFl_1j1ulYyuOwwfYgmUQ3HGCWO-HOpcKw/s1600/DSC_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ci2s8L3SgXVx1pkPkdLe4xl5KrxQRPNb69Di6uMoW_-CsTurMC-BByzMjY7IxVU2oLBqT5xHKwY-_HW5Mr5KS7GMB5fVsjFMSE4CyfcD8jFl_1j1ulYyuOwwfYgmUQ3HGCWO-HOpcKw/s400/DSC_0753.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Rutgers' Tomato</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
In my garden, of course!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitz3PDshw8kSetUTWb4jLIReUnk18wkEh5-lXRHuwB0AV0JIV4khMLzNoAjSF0VkaBRrMdHqX1cmHGkn0TNBR3R3b-FzeSEiPix6cnfNte47n8LA1mdNiwfW8CervPhupMH_1CAAtkny8/s1600/DSC_0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitz3PDshw8kSetUTWb4jLIReUnk18wkEh5-lXRHuwB0AV0JIV4khMLzNoAjSF0VkaBRrMdHqX1cmHGkn0TNBR3R3b-FzeSEiPix6cnfNte47n8LA1mdNiwfW8CervPhupMH_1CAAtkny8/s400/DSC_0748.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrots and Lettuces</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Spring is an insanely busy time around here. Horse pastures need seeding:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg81Xe8Qb6Z7UiMJ91vpLbTQt883ZqVhU6_FQOH0GMnoz-nDSZ_m-gB3_HS22OjeF2SZAp_2rDpuOGEh4FtSCsDGoeiHwES2rkODrmafsvkdCvS_5fPECtKhUp0H74nUaCHZftAQ89Jo0/s1600/DSC_0763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg81Xe8Qb6Z7UiMJ91vpLbTQt883ZqVhU6_FQOH0GMnoz-nDSZ_m-gB3_HS22OjeF2SZAp_2rDpuOGEh4FtSCsDGoeiHwES2rkODrmafsvkdCvS_5fPECtKhUp0H74nUaCHZftAQ89Jo0/s400/DSC_0763.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Veggies need planting:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FlHSj0Xt4uGedxqLW2FF74skugee3ezqdsKWsHPeBrd7z8xKeUHUFLFrcC-nfrO5m-rJEb9m8kLVkYWVKnpPraeuFuW810bSgCfoFaBNbB_2-16X2QDqHMqDryrExa4k46B5y493mPM/s1600/DSC_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FlHSj0Xt4uGedxqLW2FF74skugee3ezqdsKWsHPeBrd7z8xKeUHUFLFrcC-nfrO5m-rJEb9m8kLVkYWVKnpPraeuFuW810bSgCfoFaBNbB_2-16X2QDqHMqDryrExa4k46B5y493mPM/s400/DSC_0778.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Peas Blooming</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Mulch needs spreading:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUBxR56G1WjRBrAKiAPvoZJqXd_z4cL_ALTz8jgjQWi5Rx8H0vIdX79hls2ffbyW86ua2OKJAPvFL_Ot6Eu0e5wwWn-rqS2X_WYjM-3r-9RzEJHsEugt5hEnMf62xmDRVrNC3qciwj8c/s1600/DSC_0747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUBxR56G1WjRBrAKiAPvoZJqXd_z4cL_ALTz8jgjQWi5Rx8H0vIdX79hls2ffbyW86ua2OKJAPvFL_Ot6Eu0e5wwWn-rqS2X_WYjM-3r-9RzEJHsEugt5hEnMf62xmDRVrNC3qciwj8c/s400/DSC_0747.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Mulch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
And weeds need... "relocating":<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwSFL3Y5kkjxDSmguVQLRPmUk6_qayXfzGUTn8s8JNPcGkR-00jeW9XdqPMzvUuIDCLphrJZzxQ0kQ5nHdftO7Wgw53yLlszwi1fDZHK6F0Ehr-JoxL2DOIulGBp4n-xfu2lX0x2Rqdk/s1600/DSC_0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwSFL3Y5kkjxDSmguVQLRPmUk6_qayXfzGUTn8s8JNPcGkR-00jeW9XdqPMzvUuIDCLphrJZzxQ0kQ5nHdftO7Wgw53yLlszwi1fDZHK6F0Ehr-JoxL2DOIulGBp4n-xfu2lX0x2Rqdk/s400/DSC_0749.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weeds! Argh!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
This spring has been warm and wet, perfect for growing plants, and a weed is just "a plant out of place". Unfortunately, I've got way too many "plants out of place". Probably because the mulch hasn't been spread yet. I guess I'd better get out there..... Mt. Mulch isn't going to spread itself!</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-16258918595031783702011-04-18T07:05:00.000-07:002011-04-18T07:05:40.024-07:00R.I.P. Rosemary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcFvtIGShGNk6TWyFWYw0IOkZGAD0pAwN5IAJIKIoUjfuNXdCGLf7pEkTGRUxkv-uej24_L7jl6iG03n6bS_YcnHOdTB5Kg6BVfS0ik2WwumWZkWhh1wRTnAaMkq-jRcuSYY_gReC4k8/s1600/DSC_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcFvtIGShGNk6TWyFWYw0IOkZGAD0pAwN5IAJIKIoUjfuNXdCGLf7pEkTGRUxkv-uej24_L7jl6iG03n6bS_YcnHOdTB5Kg6BVfS0ik2WwumWZkWhh1wRTnAaMkq-jRcuSYY_gReC4k8/s400/DSC_0505.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It appears my rosemary did not survive the winter. This is not the first rosemary plant I have killed. I doubt it will be the last. They simply do not like NJ winters. It's really just too cold and wet for a Mediterranean plant. I've tried bringing them into the house for the winter, but they don't seem to like the house, either.<br />
<br />
This one was actually two years old. I had successfully overwintered it on the south side of the porch last year. It was still alive as of the last snowstorm we had back in January, but at some point it gave up. We've had some pretty hard freezes since then and without an insulating layer of snow it must have succumbed to the cold.<br />
<br />
Good night, sweet rosemary. You were too beautiful for this Earth. Or, at least for New Jersey.......</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-47990129808827284602011-04-16T07:31:00.000-07:002011-04-16T07:31:55.436-07:00Chicken Follies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn3MUQstQMFzppNhcNcBt6OW5bOXKE8PwN6aOv9zpH1jIoisZ9qgNWzY_SqGQUVwlzyPOYve3XNg8neDV_VFZ8jXIbD0b_I0BbZmZH7WYOsOW3G_qzFskUNDGmY4ht1E_XYFMgky1BMw/s1600/DSC_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn3MUQstQMFzppNhcNcBt6OW5bOXKE8PwN6aOv9zpH1jIoisZ9qgNWzY_SqGQUVwlzyPOYve3XNg8neDV_VFZ8jXIbD0b_I0BbZmZH7WYOsOW3G_qzFskUNDGmY4ht1E_XYFMgky1BMw/s400/DSC_0501.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Hen</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
I <a href="http://shannon-thegardenstate.blogspot.com/2011/03/still-no-flowers-blooming.html">posted previously</a> about one of my hens hatching out chicks. She had been sitting on a clutch of four eggs. Unfortunately, when I checked on her again, I found that only one of her chicks had hatched out. Such is nature, sometimes these things happen. The eggs may not have been fertile, or maybe the chicks had a genetic defect that prevented them from surviving, or maybe they weren't strong enough to get out of their shells. It doesn't really matter, nature took its course and the strongest, healthiest chick survived. But I still felt bad for Mama with only one little chickie. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWbl3uxvgxWrDF6-GT-FgNhkc9yLp8-cxLRgVM9Zj8LA5PzCHNITtUFkaf7rUabzDMnNUtZ7HmBfxAi91x3k55of4y3GDHQJ-wL4b3qg-_HQ8-t5hyphenhyphen-UGR4krPMqVRPBmhVN_VRiCdyE/s1600/DSC_0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWbl3uxvgxWrDF6-GT-FgNhkc9yLp8-cxLRgVM9Zj8LA5PzCHNITtUFkaf7rUabzDMnNUtZ7HmBfxAi91x3k55of4y3GDHQJ-wL4b3qg-_HQ8-t5hyphenhyphen-UGR4krPMqVRPBmhVN_VRiCdyE/s400/DSC_0507.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rooster and his Ladies</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Plus, I've been wanting to get some new hens for awhile. Not that I don't like my hens, they're great. The breed I have is American Gamefowl. They're tough, smart (for a chicken), good layers and great mothers. Actually, they're almost too good of mothers and that's a problem. You see, I have chickens to get eggs. I like for them to hatch out a few clutches every year for meat and to replace lost hens, but these hens go crazy with brooding! A hen that's brooding (sitting on eggs or with chicks) isn't laying. So, when all my hens go broody, I get no eggs. And my hens <em>love</em> to go broody!<br />
<br />
Those good mothering instincts also mean that my hens will take on adoptees. Seriously, you could give them a rock and they would attempt to be it's mother! Chickens aren't that bright. <br />
<br />
So, I went to my local feed store to see if they had any chicks. I wanted a breed with good layers and low mothering instinct. I ended up buying Golden Comets. They're a hybrid, a cross between White Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. They're bred to be layers, but also to make it easy to tell hens from roosters as chicks. Pullets (female chicks) are reddish-orange, males are white. I bought six adorably fuzzy little pullets and headed home.<br />
<br />
Mama was in the coop with her one little chick. As soon as she heard me come up with my box full of peeping chicks she ran over. There's a reason overbearing women are called "mother hens".... my Mama hen illustrates that title perfectly. She knew exactly what was in that box, and she wanted them! <br />
<br />
I opened the box and placed the chicks on the coop floor. Mama rushed over and rounded up her new babies, gently herding them over to the nest. She clucked and fluffed at me, telling me in no uncertain terms to get out and leave her babies alone. She was in charge now! I left the happy Mama alone to get her little adoptees squared away.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgaFVuFmP1RezZa0I8QjZa-8kquY8yzRgl5genP7qa1DG2nhw_ed6ZdtxObRlc-S9HF6oo0LpEsSFv9yoWxhSffBK3tsaF6UxDciwPOlTjcPc0ATGqSB2rlIiwEzldnU0CMt2UQWXTeM/s1600/DSC_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgaFVuFmP1RezZa0I8QjZa-8kquY8yzRgl5genP7qa1DG2nhw_ed6ZdtxObRlc-S9HF6oo0LpEsSFv9yoWxhSffBK3tsaF6UxDciwPOlTjcPc0ATGqSB2rlIiwEzldnU0CMt2UQWXTeM/s400/DSC_0500.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama and adoptees</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
The next day everyone seemed to be getting along well, so I let them out of the coop. Unfortunately, I had severely over estimated the intelligence and hardiness of the store bought chicks. When I went out to check on everybody an hour or so later, I found that three of the new chicks had gotten trapped behind the coop door and were hypothermic. Chicks can't regulate their body temperature that well, they need to frequently get under their mother to stay warm. Because these chicks had gotten trapped and couldn't get back to Mama, they had quickly gotten too cold.<br />
<br />
I herded Mama back into the coop. She rounded up her four mobile babies, but the three who had been trapped were stranded. I scooped them up to give back to Mama, who had gotten back on her nest to protect her babies.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, it was not quite clear to Mama what was happening. She thought I was attacking her babies. Every time I tried to get the hypothermic babies back under her, she attacked me. Chickens may look defenseless and delicate, but I can personally attest to the sharpness of their beaks. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished! I eventually managed to get the chicks into the nest, after sustaining many chicken bites to my hands and arms, and beat a hasty retreat out of the coop. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLfi5Mc0N-4hRTfNfF0FARfYFxB9RToq2KeB5IsQYZFt6AOx5dortLdu9nZpM-hGHtafX3XUtHIlcaV92JrHo4jpd7YR5mh9iP3X6fVr9iqy0xE8a3mH33GfwxjQtfHcQo9tUd8uJy1w/s1600/DSC_0504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLfi5Mc0N-4hRTfNfF0FARfYFxB9RToq2KeB5IsQYZFt6AOx5dortLdu9nZpM-hGHtafX3XUtHIlcaV92JrHo4jpd7YR5mh9iP3X6fVr9iqy0xE8a3mH33GfwxjQtfHcQo9tUd8uJy1w/s400/DSC_0504.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't mess with Mama!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
This story has a happy ending. The stranded chicks warmed up under Mama and are just fine. I blocked off the part of the coop where they became stranded, so we won't have a repeat of that!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4Z7Vc0oW8kpv67bqhsnrlFKBQildSeb8k4jM-9LbcAbngucqEuoxhdPsVOb5DQaDiJZoH6pJKrjkus9YCIySdPOzH0Xi4LTp-CbySexfYWcgMyN0njEh6sKhX5SItbWEWfoCzaONwlU/s1600/DSC_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4Z7Vc0oW8kpv67bqhsnrlFKBQildSeb8k4jM-9LbcAbngucqEuoxhdPsVOb5DQaDiJZoH6pJKrjkus9YCIySdPOzH0Xi4LTp-CbySexfYWcgMyN0njEh6sKhX5SItbWEWfoCzaONwlU/s640/DSC_0532.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama and babies, out and about</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-35573157206829465592011-04-09T08:16:00.000-07:002011-04-09T08:16:02.003-07:00Bye Bye, Photinia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We finally made the decision to move the Photinia. If you recall, they were planted against our garage and just did not fit.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYGLcFK8D0Alt8j6Xts3u9ItwjIbganEjUXALKvSi9lypPYGbgCYUSEyruVGp7l6Ql1-jPyBewre_GuTsDWKKsJyDOqG97PMbZziBF2ja-IhaVlWhVXx6Fj_FPM9QJA-DYw68DHtBHeY/s1600/DSC_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYGLcFK8D0Alt8j6Xts3u9ItwjIbganEjUXALKvSi9lypPYGbgCYUSEyruVGp7l6Ql1-jPyBewre_GuTsDWKKsJyDOqG97PMbZziBF2ja-IhaVlWhVXx6Fj_FPM9QJA-DYw68DHtBHeY/s400/DSC_0500.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blech</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
The executive decision was made (and by "executive decision", I mean that we had the backhoe attachment on the tractor and were like "Now what?")... the executive decision was made and they have been relocated.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BDSKZ5PJlcCAn_Zmvvb7sT3YrjtplW0cG8OtIgN70PvmFOs11mU6idi1zGuFu1_ok7HL3RqidZyMoxwAql_daVGnrKltMKZA_q5n_Yk9vrutlQLTH_bY08FFmeOtWmIUBuOy2nMUPMw/s1600/DSC_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BDSKZ5PJlcCAn_Zmvvb7sT3YrjtplW0cG8OtIgN70PvmFOs11mU6idi1zGuFu1_ok7HL3RqidZyMoxwAql_daVGnrKltMKZA_q5n_Yk9vrutlQLTH_bY08FFmeOtWmIUBuOy2nMUPMw/s400/DSC_0504.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the move...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
They are now living on the far side of my riding arena, where they can grow and be big and beautiful and not cover the garage.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_7uSFjZYRIChfUQEzmDvMZxcoWmUNVOsyKziarjsnk0eurARxjarI7Qq4C0xLPlLoIESk-DvHEW_GuOOe4Dn6eZnZFeU5p14-v2zWMWTcJOmgJu0DpFlaz_9SAcznk4HtP7-zVhjJY4/s1600/DSC_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_7uSFjZYRIChfUQEzmDvMZxcoWmUNVOsyKziarjsnk0eurARxjarI7Qq4C0xLPlLoIESk-DvHEW_GuOOe4Dn6eZnZFeU5p14-v2zWMWTcJOmgJu0DpFlaz_9SAcznk4HtP7-zVhjJY4/s400/DSC_0561.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Photinia</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
And now for the big question....<br />
<br />
<br />
Climbing roses, or bush roses?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AMLpHdrsWi5W5Ryg11ez-RHJ38MEW2JLHs6e9hH4JNqAZ7ZInwSMhhaGwEWhfnGUytwwN0HaVLvtxhxxad_dGEYzHM_jbAli_4E7s7ILLZzQdzYDzGxspoeQhmBOkfrTvEgu07ufcWY/s1600/DSC_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AMLpHdrsWi5W5Ryg11ez-RHJ38MEW2JLHs6e9hH4JNqAZ7ZInwSMhhaGwEWhfnGUytwwN0HaVLvtxhxxad_dGEYzHM_jbAli_4E7s7ILLZzQdzYDzGxspoeQhmBOkfrTvEgu07ufcWY/s400/DSC_0500.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
(I'm partial to climbers, myself)<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-45377932870225590532011-04-05T05:54:00.000-07:002011-04-05T05:54:18.193-07:00Soil Testing Results!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShtbY1RGbBAfDJm9qHNIzUZUlLF1b-PHte1I08BUuFVjKMocLvZkS8x7MPGUejwv3DAkbFi9aVnBaOtA0_zpaTQnRksw9v4t3XJqBZcin8JVsnFFbh5c-ekO2z3b01y5H2W4kKvtYcqw/s1600/DSC_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShtbY1RGbBAfDJm9qHNIzUZUlLF1b-PHte1I08BUuFVjKMocLvZkS8x7MPGUejwv3DAkbFi9aVnBaOtA0_zpaTQnRksw9v4t3XJqBZcin8JVsnFFbh5c-ekO2z3b01y5H2W4kKvtYcqw/s640/DSC_0503.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Jar 1 Jar 2 Jar 3 </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Well, the results of my <a href="http://shannon-thegardenstate.blogspot.com/2011/04/cheap-soil-testing.html">soil testing experiment</a> are in and after much careful analysis I've discovered that I have dirt in a jar! Ha!<br />
<br />
Jar 1 is the native, unamended soil. It settled quite clearly into three distinct layers: sand on the bottom, silt in the middle and clay on top. I'm actually a little surprised at the amount of clay in there, I wouldn't have guessed we had that much clay in our soil. It's about a 1:1 mix of clay and sand, though. I wonder if that's why I was fooled? <br />
<br />
Jar 2 is from the veggie garden and appears to just be a mess. I really can't see any layers at all. I've been adding finished compost (made of straw, horse and chicken manure, gardening waste and whatever kitchen scraps the chickens and ducks don't eat) to the veggie garden for two years. So, maybe no layers is a good thing? Maybe I should have paid more attention in that ecology class I took in college....<br />
<div><br />
</div>Jar 3 is from the horse's pasture. The horses make many, many daily contributions to the soil out there. There appears to be much less sand out there, but the other layers are just sort of muddled. I don't know what that means.<br />
<div><br />
</div>I'll leave it to the experts to analyze.<br />
<br />
Head on over to <a href="http://sweetbeangardening.blogspot.com/2011/04/great-soil-experiment-meme-part-2.html">The Great Soil Experiment Meme</a> hosted by <a href="http://sweetbeangardening.blogspot.com/">Sweet Bean Gardening</a> and check out what smarter people than me have to say about soil testing and their own results!</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-57363184473011091442011-04-03T15:08:00.000-07:002011-04-03T15:08:36.792-07:00Rub A Dub Dub...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Ducks in a tub!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajzf5-OSMnobTRhlwRFtDt2cLs8W3EW_xWMy6o_7octc-5tc_dssCE4W13SWvMNTopR9YTlEjZxIK5tsNFHlXqQQp6J0SrbhOnEI5K4T-bitTmpAAP0XWND5H9muTLwNCJAAjmuZ68g4/s1600/DSC_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajzf5-OSMnobTRhlwRFtDt2cLs8W3EW_xWMy6o_7octc-5tc_dssCE4W13SWvMNTopR9YTlEjZxIK5tsNFHlXqQQp6J0SrbhOnEI5K4T-bitTmpAAP0XWND5H9muTLwNCJAAjmuZ68g4/s640/DSC_0539.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__-vRZqxuW9C45kPhXgk7ZCJ-cw-DoEei1VmY6Wx7pHBQXM2tKCtRNe17CeMwYYwJw8KfPuKHZaptg5_lHlYKXozbP6J0QCzocUlkZTnZz1Wt8LH1yG05kBnGyvNdvEZA0hHoZoD_VfU/s1600/DSC_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__-vRZqxuW9C45kPhXgk7ZCJ-cw-DoEei1VmY6Wx7pHBQXM2tKCtRNe17CeMwYYwJw8KfPuKHZaptg5_lHlYKXozbP6J0QCzocUlkZTnZz1Wt8LH1yG05kBnGyvNdvEZA0hHoZoD_VfU/s640/DSC_0542.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-24290039528341322752011-04-01T13:08:00.000-07:002011-04-01T13:08:13.808-07:00Cheap Soil Testing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://sweetbeangardening.blogspot.com/">Sweet Bean Gardening</a> had a great idea for a really cheap (pretty much free!) way to test your soil composition. Then, she expanded that idea into a meme! That's pretty darn cool! If you want to join, head over to her site to get the <a href="http://sweetbeangardening.blogspot.com/2011/04/great-soil-experiment-meme-part-2.html">instructions</a>, then post your results and we can all compare soil. Fun!<br />
<br />
So, how do you <a href="http://sweetbeangardening.blogspot.com/2011/03/dirt-cheap-free-soil-composition-test.html">cheaply and easily test your soil composition</a>? Well first you take some dirt and put it in a jar. Then you add water and salt and shake it all up. Once it settles, there will be three layers: the top is clay, the middle silt and the bottom is sand. Easy peasy! The only question I had was "kosher salt or sea salt?" I went with sea salt.<br />
<br />
Now, being in NJ, which is a coastal peninsula, I already know my soil is pretty sandy. But I've spent the last two years liberally applying compost to my veggie garden and wanted to see what, if any, improvement I had made. So, I made two jars.<br />
<br />
Jar 1 is from an undeveloped part of the property. It's just the native soil. Ironically, it is also the only place where flowers are blooming:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJXc6ryNDgvHj_JgsfDxRjkAx7tQ_R-MY9rc7tOKfhEjBucrNAsFBNFrfbTynSiDyxbjRkVCqWwmFoK1s634OBBVwOSfcKyRNVHeN-371NKeAFuFOWM2ayvDrpjb7QlwoEEq0PSHkN0k/s1600/DSC_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJXc6ryNDgvHj_JgsfDxRjkAx7tQ_R-MY9rc7tOKfhEjBucrNAsFBNFrfbTynSiDyxbjRkVCqWwmFoK1s634OBBVwOSfcKyRNVHeN-371NKeAFuFOWM2ayvDrpjb7QlwoEEq0PSHkN0k/s320/DSC_0502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Jar 2 is from my veggie garden. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJzO9VZBk3-5VIaTBIuQO27uYtUyqBi1JQ-6kX0iTCuZcqqjYNMiSJpS9dNdSQsSwvAt5pT8-uApU3KbUAWrbfkGpFW9eww042F5ulpGlyRvgrAc8iwmtxMb-o9_QTGYZdQRPYUdwVeQ/s1600/DSC_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJzO9VZBk3-5VIaTBIuQO27uYtUyqBi1JQ-6kX0iTCuZcqqjYNMiSJpS9dNdSQsSwvAt5pT8-uApU3KbUAWrbfkGpFW9eww042F5ulpGlyRvgrAc8iwmtxMb-o9_QTGYZdQRPYUdwVeQ/s320/DSC_0504.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Then, just for fun (and since I had a third jar, anyway) I decided to take a sample from the horse pastures. We don't add finished compost to the pastures, but the horses do make quite a bit of, *<i>ahem</i>*, contributions to the pasture soil. I wanted to see if their many contributions have made any impact on the soil composition out there. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g2kvicJiPXgVQH54QgOd5z6ePmP47M10P2Dq2JGJYtWonWj3e8jL7k_6vtQFOIztIfmeAXhplOzImbCHRC9M-qwgA5L5gl_t6d8jYDyzIE_DMLmrrRzLfeMm_Hsg1QUlhEixvFzDgjk/s1600/DSC_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g2kvicJiPXgVQH54QgOd5z6ePmP47M10P2Dq2JGJYtWonWj3e8jL7k_6vtQFOIztIfmeAXhplOzImbCHRC9M-qwgA5L5gl_t6d8jYDyzIE_DMLmrrRzLfeMm_Hsg1QUlhEixvFzDgjk/s320/DSC_0503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Of course, being me, I started my jars later than everyone else and they still haven't settled. (It's been rainy and cold here. It even snowed this morning! Who wants to go out in that to collect dirt? I've got a good excuse....)<br />
<br />
I'll update with the results soon......</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-90178007077256007362011-03-28T07:13:00.000-07:002011-03-28T07:13:02.639-07:00Still No Flowers Blooming....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">But we have brand new baby chicks!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq2rJE8Ee-GnsV4-HG6-YoleufHM-ZM47i36-l3RFG0JzJ2qX4p2KR0LffVBesFgDZMMUi8wfcZ1QJNxdIs870khz0OEsZoe6z-O-51ldELYqy0m_TXIdt-kgcJQd1rHKbFPfqqoyFRg/s1600/DSC_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq2rJE8Ee-GnsV4-HG6-YoleufHM-ZM47i36-l3RFG0JzJ2qX4p2KR0LffVBesFgDZMMUi8wfcZ1QJNxdIs870khz0OEsZoe6z-O-51ldELYqy0m_TXIdt-kgcJQd1rHKbFPfqqoyFRg/s400/DSC_0503.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Spring must be here!</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-72832797008430202702011-03-25T11:03:00.000-07:002011-03-25T11:03:09.536-07:00Close...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwAnxtPj-vwDR_Wgb5qdbQpSRacrDe65i43gECA_VSirdahzgOjQWOEORM4kKrmvfhQ1DTSgUz805i1YEAyCC7e3ys3xTquxUt0CnoNYximVcCoHTpkM4YQsKLF1QFInsyCHYNXNSPII/s1600/DSC_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwAnxtPj-vwDR_Wgb5qdbQpSRacrDe65i43gECA_VSirdahzgOjQWOEORM4kKrmvfhQ1DTSgUz805i1YEAyCC7e3ys3xTquxUt0CnoNYximVcCoHTpkM4YQsKLF1QFInsyCHYNXNSPII/s400/DSC_0502.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pansy, overwintered from last fall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Everywhere I look flowers are blooming. Not on my property, though. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-y5OE-6uAxEBHtn6ODdFMvbzpUKRVSrWKhw9NMBI-yWtkBb-H4HCg35YMYKJuG8JB0YIt7cO_inxMP9S_D1lCM8qi_l83uSTPsIr4dYVQ6xIk2FDQkJ5KjCMNn6GGMrWmeDzDdsnIqws/s1600/DSC_0504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-y5OE-6uAxEBHtn6ODdFMvbzpUKRVSrWKhw9NMBI-yWtkBb-H4HCg35YMYKJuG8JB0YIt7cO_inxMP9S_D1lCM8qi_l83uSTPsIr4dYVQ6xIk2FDQkJ5KjCMNn6GGMrWmeDzDdsnIqws/s400/DSC_0504.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand Cherry, Prunus x Cistena</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
We have a bit of a microclimate thing going on here. We're situated in the middle of several wide open fields and tend to get a lot of wind.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpFxMOCaJ1J2BWZ_zv0YFeKHXz4BTu8IDC8CgYno8TiiCXp324UTmPd4G83zWpIDLnNP99uqE74OY8cfpzx5Iy3yQdho5KJHuYd5KfZ2OOJH5w08cpObN7dlkWHnfwpjG_4_Fw-R3vHo/s1600/DSC_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpFxMOCaJ1J2BWZ_zv0YFeKHXz4BTu8IDC8CgYno8TiiCXp324UTmPd4G83zWpIDLnNP99uqE74OY8cfpzx5Iy3yQdho5KJHuYd5KfZ2OOJH5w08cpObN7dlkWHnfwpjG_4_Fw-R3vHo/s400/DSC_0509.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ornamental Weeping Cherry</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Even though we also get a lot of sun, it seems that we're always a bit colder than more sheltered areas. So, even though there are daffodils and fruit trees blooming up the street, my flowers are hovering right on the brink.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaAXbrsK0f78AXNQr9ze0sKFcOA8ohZzDg9q0XBLZlbyaqCIenn-AfptQB1tHOevDQ4DSYacCCyYiOmkXBADOz2feZ0EiyUKA6Jy2Gemk5by-e4grMEVqemqObjYWAQpmBjj7WEjRjq4/s1600/DSC_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaAXbrsK0f78AXNQr9ze0sKFcOA8ohZzDg9q0XBLZlbyaqCIenn-AfptQB1tHOevDQ4DSYacCCyYiOmkXBADOz2feZ0EiyUKA6Jy2Gemk5by-e4grMEVqemqObjYWAQpmBjj7WEjRjq4/s400/DSC_0512.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ornamental Pear</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Oh well. They'll bloom in their own time....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OQkUWVlV4oFQ70HUBAMveQEtHdyt0fUK3E1m59qLRAfLIwrJfClTB1HgJzfqGxvll-Cc1BT_mbzaw9POGsBS9aAg8Vjd6ZzwI3BZKvEa_UQyJUBjYQuBW8s0mJJjOSe8UmGdZ9_9nEY/s1600/DSC_0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OQkUWVlV4oFQ70HUBAMveQEtHdyt0fUK3E1m59qLRAfLIwrJfClTB1HgJzfqGxvll-Cc1BT_mbzaw9POGsBS9aAg8Vjd6ZzwI3BZKvEa_UQyJUBjYQuBW8s0mJJjOSe8UmGdZ9_9nEY/s400/DSC_0507.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodil</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-90118504324660760202011-03-23T07:08:00.000-07:002011-03-23T07:08:35.442-07:00A Seed Starting Disaster<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yGVLRdEjD9VluwO0HELoyw64XZpdTnMhx-9zB9oviIvIqL6xE2olS_AVyfsKq9CzpRJjcfguR_K7vOimaOW87tcFkU0Z64YPZsy51Kjgikapi1ERU_TiKW26FVldYsm9qOBfdscU9rs/s1600/DSC_0648_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yGVLRdEjD9VluwO0HELoyw64XZpdTnMhx-9zB9oviIvIqL6xE2olS_AVyfsKq9CzpRJjcfguR_K7vOimaOW87tcFkU0Z64YPZsy51Kjgikapi1ERU_TiKW26FVldYsm9qOBfdscU9rs/s400/DSC_0648_2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seedlings on the porch... pre-disaster.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our property is subject to high winds. I know this, and yet I did something dumb anyway. I put all my indoor seedlings on the porch to soak up some sun, but didn't weight down the bin they were in. One particularly strong gust of wind sent my tender seedlings flying right off the porch.....<br />
<br />
Poor little seedlings! But, all was not lost. I only lost the herbs and half of the tomatoes. The herbs can be re-started, and I had started more tomatoes than I needed anyway. It's still disappointing, but not a complete disaster.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPxAR4ypEURs9MLUes13NYlP8amCNKpCTHMUdCxY2qzCyO5m4zn6j7DTM8FU5Nzyg2IYGphAuQR1CU6fPxJlLfcx6FKO9Qw4jYAstykfpYLsbulon7c6mF_eGtnroz1jqB7ldb5YzxTA/s1600/DSC_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPxAR4ypEURs9MLUes13NYlP8amCNKpCTHMUdCxY2qzCyO5m4zn6j7DTM8FU5Nzyg2IYGphAuQR1CU6fPxJlLfcx6FKO9Qw4jYAstykfpYLsbulon7c6mF_eGtnroz1jqB7ldb5YzxTA/s400/DSC_0505.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The veggie garden, all tilled under and ready to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I've started working on the vegetable garden bed for this year. It's always a blank slate, as we till it under with the tractor every spring. So far, all I've done is stake out where the beans and cucumbers will go and put in the raised beds for the lettuce. It's time to start planting the cool season veggies, but the weather is being less than cooperative. Some days it's warm and sunny, some cold and rainy. Not much gets done when it's cold and rainy, and when it's warm and sunny the list of chores is a mile long. Such is farm life, and I wouldn't give it up for all the sunny days in the world!</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-28748170987618816272011-03-21T07:08:00.000-07:002011-03-21T07:08:52.248-07:00Supermoons And Ducks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAKp0Q4jl-HTe5av8qgSKH8-qHrhmyTHbd8WCrIxh7GIVr2ZX-5-g5O9hpDx4Qp-pFmo3JDt9OIAzXMLIXkEnnGNgM2j3KIbxFeerCuK9r8Yu6n9kZ8XGybsihVTWR4KFuBGRBN3VkJY/s1600/DSC_0668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAKp0Q4jl-HTe5av8qgSKH8-qHrhmyTHbd8WCrIxh7GIVr2ZX-5-g5O9hpDx4Qp-pFmo3JDt9OIAzXMLIXkEnnGNgM2j3KIbxFeerCuK9r8Yu6n9kZ8XGybsihVTWR4KFuBGRBN3VkJY/s400/DSC_0668.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This past weekend the full moon was closer to the Earth than it had been in 18 years. It lit up the whole property like dawn. It was truly amazing to see the moon rising through the trees. Even more amazing how the camera was able to pick up the landscape hours after sunset.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd13661y22azOItZ5Lu5fi_jLkW5Mqdm9B78hUS8sAraH-I5zOk3TRljH6sOmRJIn6CVDydSYilDGoPWkz8GkXDi93WBALICPjCxIVXzKAfADz5BDBQ6YUBPnZO6X1n7ID8Sxzm58-h4U/s1600/DSC_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd13661y22azOItZ5Lu5fi_jLkW5Mqdm9B78hUS8sAraH-I5zOk3TRljH6sOmRJIn6CVDydSYilDGoPWkz8GkXDi93WBALICPjCxIVXzKAfADz5BDBQ6YUBPnZO6X1n7ID8Sxzm58-h4U/s400/DSC_0678.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> I wandered out to take pictures of the event. The moon was bright enough to illuminate the whole yard. As I sat in the lawn, snapping away with my camera, I heard the unmistakable "slap, slap, slap" of webbed feet. The ducks had come to see what I was up to.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl9n0cpjK6vLZmwE912uD6FOK1grXVUx5Zcv0JPzY-l6e7jJNHtGNN1fiwgeYlf8eXiS4xkubKjlJiZYr_UbIa8aTxqbggxcPp069temTycemLr2FVQTK_9ow595hsj7N2JHYa2r9bGI/s1600/DSC_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl9n0cpjK6vLZmwE912uD6FOK1grXVUx5Zcv0JPzY-l6e7jJNHtGNN1fiwgeYlf8eXiS4xkubKjlJiZYr_UbIa8aTxqbggxcPp069temTycemLr2FVQTK_9ow595hsj7N2JHYa2r9bGI/s400/DSC_0500.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The chickens go to the coop at night and go to bed. Not the ducks. They're party animals, wandering the yard doing very important ducky things. I always give them a handful of grain when I go out to the barn for the last night time check of the horses. It was after night check when I went out to take pictures, but the ducks must have thought they hit the jackpot. Surely I was out there to bring them another snack!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfNpgDZrHVUVdIbebBhXYX51InXXCOW7wh8lKlQMD-vT6xRj08q6P6LkIXaXxCNCyU_h2M3oZPWYjdy36ynffcN7khE0S2zvz4wj219NZJDY9KIYJ2HN7lhWscKvE6TcLuoffYnd3qr0/s1600/DSC_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfNpgDZrHVUVdIbebBhXYX51InXXCOW7wh8lKlQMD-vT6xRj08q6P6LkIXaXxCNCyU_h2M3oZPWYjdy36ynffcN7khE0S2zvz4wj219NZJDY9KIYJ2HN7lhWscKvE6TcLuoffYnd3qr0/s400/DSC_0504.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Eventually, they realized that I wasn't going to the barn to get them a snack and wandered off into the night to do whatever ducky things they do.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuE25h6PSSEpPenUHkG9EAtEcpIJdAPs0Xc-LM4fvsqqgrLVDtwRHGDqfrt2zN7iVYna3v6ag7aEU5E1C8AirG5OBZIuHzn-IssYNqHjrbYfoo-aMbtA5XujzEBu5RBneemuQH7djtHLE/s1600/DSC_0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuE25h6PSSEpPenUHkG9EAtEcpIJdAPs0Xc-LM4fvsqqgrLVDtwRHGDqfrt2zN7iVYna3v6ag7aEU5E1C8AirG5OBZIuHzn-IssYNqHjrbYfoo-aMbtA5XujzEBu5RBneemuQH7djtHLE/s400/DSC_0517.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I snapped one more shot of the moon illuminating the night sky, then went back to the house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-SXRwd44sTnynO9xkhoY1eQYsRj62rX-IsmUaoO7RT3hQrUm-L4Nu12KLaEJ7jxB4yt9sXaLoVyE5BQ6tHFsZ6A4th_QNVQkXUcawNvZq6W9abWe9Fp09unuo_cp-iZRODTlYXtnfZg/s1600/DSC_0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-SXRwd44sTnynO9xkhoY1eQYsRj62rX-IsmUaoO7RT3hQrUm-L4Nu12KLaEJ7jxB4yt9sXaLoVyE5BQ6tHFsZ6A4th_QNVQkXUcawNvZq6W9abWe9Fp09unuo_cp-iZRODTlYXtnfZg/s400/DSC_0523.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-91444946098541190282011-03-16T06:59:00.000-07:002011-03-16T06:59:10.959-07:00The Trouble With Photinia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Photinia are great plants. Big, bushy and fast growing, they make an excellent hedgerow. Their new growth is a gorgeous shade of red, which adds interest to the wall of green. They're also evergreens, which makes them great as privacy screens. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our house came with a lovely photinia hedge. Unfortunately, the previous owners had inexplicably planted right it up against the south wall of the garage, blocking the windows.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JeJYuPNElMcwLS_KWmd3nUJKThoQMu8aBa_b5eaI_w7oz9hpcZ9wxIScBhHVpeC1sj4Na8ex2chF-S_lXb_j1r62nC_ELVKAAelM6PhdcpDbJyBqJ0y00DgxN2mpHUOBlC-dKb2mVK4/s1600/DSC_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JeJYuPNElMcwLS_KWmd3nUJKThoQMu8aBa_b5eaI_w7oz9hpcZ9wxIScBhHVpeC1sj4Na8ex2chF-S_lXb_j1r62nC_ELVKAAelM6PhdcpDbJyBqJ0y00DgxN2mpHUOBlC-dKb2mVK4/s400/DSC_0516.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The garage windows provide a nice view of our property and also let sunlight into the garage. They weren't meant to be blocked. The photinia needed to be pruned. Photinia will take a pretty severe pruning, so that wasn't really a problem. I pruned the first two back last spring, but when I got to the third plant, I found a bird's nest. I couldn't chop down the bird's house, so the hedge was lopsided for a year. It looked pretty silly, as you can see in the above photo.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqs35q60Cs6GpzDb9jd-q-vkQ1bBoLKo1q7RE6HK9bTYMwyVNLY3J7BAkVqSRGS9DpRT9H1t0GSCbAybEY6ebgDnBeO6ioF5nDtIZL2AoAj0-I0AqdPN97PjASH7kF7Yat3hbx2AbqgKM/s1600/DSC_0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqs35q60Cs6GpzDb9jd-q-vkQ1bBoLKo1q7RE6HK9bTYMwyVNLY3J7BAkVqSRGS9DpRT9H1t0GSCbAybEY6ebgDnBeO6ioF5nDtIZL2AoAj0-I0AqdPN97PjASH7kF7Yat3hbx2AbqgKM/s400/DSC_0527.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bird's nest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
This year, I got out early to prune, before the birds started building nests. I was able to make the first two that I had pruned last year into something neat and tidy. Not so much the third one. It looks like I hacked it up with a sawsall. Which is what I actually did, but still.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SdTG30rPJlAmKcHTnqGB_YBov5cPidZVNCh_jcwoVgx7U1HPRSjZJFbs_uXCfX9yN3qHmE40Su3rxFTMvLKLCQu5-fihNwlNOIGF2hp8NW3r0_yWjhXkXQtd690_qFKzwoFoLkm5Eww/s1600/DSC_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SdTG30rPJlAmKcHTnqGB_YBov5cPidZVNCh_jcwoVgx7U1HPRSjZJFbs_uXCfX9yN3qHmE40Su3rxFTMvLKLCQu5-fihNwlNOIGF2hp8NW3r0_yWjhXkXQtd690_qFKzwoFoLkm5Eww/s400/DSC_0538.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I really didn't like cutting down that hedge, but it just doesn't belong where it is. A big, beautiful hedge like that belongs out in the landscape where it can grow and be appreciated, not planted in front of windows where it will have to be severely pruned every year. We may try digging the bushes out and re-locating them. We have a tractor with a backhoe attachment to do the work, but I'm worried about damaging the bushes or the garage while getting them out. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">It may not matter at all, though. As I was pruning the edge I noticed some spots on the leaves. I'm not sure, but I think it may be the dreaded Photinia blight.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvA7Njw9dWNENx2KLEtdt2vK-Ie8U7POvvU1Q4H0mPojmiTCFg6FPn7e3JgS5prQZjU_nMDfThVtbyr3ZwtrMYAzYdJyiIiisHit7N0yS4RYghrAf7xeOs2pxUxa7e2XjYzLKvdUKON4/s1600/DSC_0525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvA7Njw9dWNENx2KLEtdt2vK-Ie8U7POvvU1Q4H0mPojmiTCFg6FPn7e3JgS5prQZjU_nMDfThVtbyr3ZwtrMYAzYdJyiIiisHit7N0yS4RYghrAf7xeOs2pxUxa7e2XjYzLKvdUKON4/s400/DSC_0525.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Photinia are particularly susceptible to Entomosporium blight. It can be very difficult to treat, and the prognosis is usually grim. The best way to prevent blight is to promote good air circulation in the plant. Like, not planting blight prone species too close together or up against a wall. If it turns out that these plants have it, I'll probably just rip them out and replace them with roses. We'll see how they do this year....</div></div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-16484640483246109742011-03-14T05:55:00.000-07:002011-03-14T05:55:43.873-07:00Late Winter Haircuts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2yGAdqi2b-C5lXBuFuWTpatv03UmR79VbV79QV1qdBDvGbZYbbmVQZtEOs8oJ24LgCnTP9ac6yPN8ZGjmD6rIlYAQmRx6cbmuzf7uFeD5qLCePhXMvumiJiUuhHYKeSJAn22-MgmszM/s1600/DSC_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2yGAdqi2b-C5lXBuFuWTpatv03UmR79VbV79QV1qdBDvGbZYbbmVQZtEOs8oJ24LgCnTP9ac6yPN8ZGjmD6rIlYAQmRx6cbmuzf7uFeD5qLCePhXMvumiJiUuhHYKeSJAn22-MgmszM/s400/DSC_0470.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple blossoms in April.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our property came with five apple trees. By the time we moved in it was May, and the fruit had already set on them. The apples were sad, pathetic little things. The trees themselves had blackspot something fierce, too. We were able to treat the blackspot with <a href="http://www.agro.basf.com/agr/AP-Internet/en/content/solutions/solution_highlights/serenade/bio-fungicide">Serenade biofungicide</a> (which made the entire backyard smell like stinky feet for two days, but otherwise worked great). Even without blackspot, it was clear that my apple trees did not look like the ones in the orchard down the street. And I had no clue how to take care of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Enter the Local Agricultural University Cooperative Extension. My local ag university is <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/">Rutgers</a>, and I have found them to be an invaluable resource in my little farming venture. Through their site, I found great information about general care, pruning, diseases, pests and timetables for care, all tailored for my area. While I don't follow their instructions to the letter (I prefer to be a little more "low impact" with my disease/pest control), it's still really good advice.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One thing I learned from my cooperative extension: <a href="http://www.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/factsheets/pruningtips.pdf">pruning</a>! Apple trees are high maintenance, the first 4-5 years of their growth should be dedicated to cultivating strong branches and good root growth, not fruit production. I don't know how old my apple trees are, but the house has only been here for four years, so they can't be that old. As mature fruit-producing trees, shade is the enemy. Sunlight is required to set fruit and good air circulation prevents disease. That means that aggressive pruning practices need to be implemented. My poor apple trees looked like they had never seen a blade. No wonder they had fungus! </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The best <a href="http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/plantandpestadvisory/2007/fr0109.pdf">time for pruning apples</a> is late winter, after a prolonged cold spell. Pruning too early can cause damage to the tree and negatively affect fruiting. I have a fool-proof method for knowing just when to prune my apple trees: I wait until I see workers out pruning the apple orchards around me, then I go home and prune my trees!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My first winter in our house, I diligently removed all the crossed branches, suckers, branches growing straight up or straight down and pruned complex branches to improve air and light circulation. The trees had no fungus problems and set a pretty good amount of fruit. I still didn't get any apples, though. Some sort of bug got to them first. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjHut9LDpLYuoLSqVZhCgCMvv-SEyArj5lb4JjpzwEOTQ6BXmySyjR2AzqZ_SArIPh41hkeJ_Ci0S8c6D6jxXoBET6S5AUAoMt_m5G30R9WD1H_-4rtosEiOiBH8aHr-oxaNPlEAUYb4/s1600/DSC_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjHut9LDpLYuoLSqVZhCgCMvv-SEyArj5lb4JjpzwEOTQ6BXmySyjR2AzqZ_SArIPh41hkeJ_Ci0S8c6D6jxXoBET6S5AUAoMt_m5G30R9WD1H_-4rtosEiOiBH8aHr-oxaNPlEAUYb4/s400/DSC_0509.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple perfectly cored by some unknown pest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hopefully, this will be the year that I get to eat an apple off my trees.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-13747715165637553512011-03-12T14:16:00.000-08:002011-03-12T14:16:01.739-08:00The First Step Is Admitting You Have A Problem....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9ubzp-s57R5BBmfUg0hvWLxx1-Ek_ghTl2X94PKkPTikQNxP9huDkXavaKzlK8tVYhKSzowJDMKzcXYilwPh7hS1cuJWdBrwPm2IF_L4H7SdMaJzIQEkWpvMYIIHf0-UiKJmN5ARThA/s1600/DSC_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9ubzp-s57R5BBmfUg0hvWLxx1-Ek_ghTl2X94PKkPTikQNxP9huDkXavaKzlK8tVYhKSzowJDMKzcXYilwPh7hS1cuJWdBrwPm2IF_L4H7SdMaJzIQEkWpvMYIIHf0-UiKJmN5ARThA/s400/DSC_0521.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I'm not really sure what the second step is. My problem and I are in a good place right now, so I'm not really looking for a solution. My husband, on the other hand, is getting a little annoyed with my obsessive milk jug and fruit container hoarding. I've tried to explain to him the it's for the greater good of the garden, but he's still skeptical. He'll be happier once we can start harvesting the fruits of my trash collection.<br />
<br />
We tilled under the veggie garden this past week, but torrential downpours and the resulting mud kept me from planting out there. But, thanks to my hoard, I was still able to sow seeds outdoors. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDS1JGX3r-9usl9o9vNINldJnYsWt4p-DYaNL3wFykCvh_ZyEffW-7hV1XlzRH0dUtUDt00rJKbJ0uDT5FOcdlX7QXV8z7YJiMX57Mfd_Qmz9k-PE42XDMfEI_eYCi0AAK93FJQGXfjU/s1600/DSC_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDS1JGX3r-9usl9o9vNINldJnYsWt4p-DYaNL3wFykCvh_ZyEffW-7hV1XlzRH0dUtUDt00rJKbJ0uDT5FOcdlX7QXV8z7YJiMX57Mfd_Qmz9k-PE42XDMfEI_eYCi0AAK93FJQGXfjU/s400/DSC_0519.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The collection put to good use.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
For this week I've started more swiss chard, spinach and lettuce along with some cosmos. I usually direct sow cosmos, but I thought I'd try containers this year. Mostly because I have not yet built the garden beds that the cosmos are supposed to go in.<br />
<br />
Be sure to stop by <a href="http://www.growingthehomegarden.com/">The Home Garden</a> for <a href="http://www.growingthehomegarden.com/2011/03/another-round-of-tomato-seeds-seed.html">Seed Starting Saturday</a> with Dave!</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-28832681014500051132011-03-11T05:22:00.000-08:002011-03-11T05:24:12.069-08:00Early Morning Visitors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Every spring and fall we get wild turkeys. They arrive in groups (flocks?) of 20-30, scouring the pastures for bugs and other tasty treats. I don't know where they go in winter and summer, but they only visit our house in spring and fall. <br />
<br />
This morning, I saw that they had returned. There was a gang of more than 20 turkeys making their way through the pastures. The toms were strutting their stuff, feathers fluffed up and gobbling away. I had to get a picture. <br />
<br />
Our house has a wrap around porch, so I went out the door opposite from where the turkeys were. I then proceeded to sneak around the side of the house. I didn't want to scare the turkeys off. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAabcQOkh0lks8_EzyeO16OOxhtrnxswlpdiI8_yMU_nj7Yn1bLRFtnCCRikz6Ke_DUKTgvlTzSJ5njiJoxXlQbMmfvbAZxPNCZUPSP-OnLcuPmLtdB8UF9QB1rJJQErbehRq6jKEtKts/s1600/DSC_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAabcQOkh0lks8_EzyeO16OOxhtrnxswlpdiI8_yMU_nj7Yn1bLRFtnCCRikz6Ke_DUKTgvlTzSJ5njiJoxXlQbMmfvbAZxPNCZUPSP-OnLcuPmLtdB8UF9QB1rJJQErbehRq6jKEtKts/s640/DSC_0500.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sneaking up on the turkeys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
My cunning stealth was working! The turkeys hadn't even noticed me. The toms were still busy displaying for the hens. This was going to be a great picture.<br />
<br />
I started slowly moving into position, trying to get the best angle without scaring the turkeys away. Just as I was about to snap The Perfect Shot, a hurricane of toddler proportions went blasting past me, gleefully yelling: "Mommy, Mommy! Look! Turkeys! Gobble, gobble!" My daughter had followed me out onto the porch. And she was not using her inside voice. The turkeys scattered and my perfect shot was gone...<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p1jDIBQysOHvnOt9yYIS6D1JUShQMgZff7JGNOOCQnCT2aQB-_BBbmI_5_6tDVPpihgNeL_MY0xlNWjtq0Xzn6ykCIRhUIPB6ml6j_qcL6o4z1Ze7XGkLR5MCrEsjCa1VAPEZZQ1ugk/s1600/DSC_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p1jDIBQysOHvnOt9yYIS6D1JUShQMgZff7JGNOOCQnCT2aQB-_BBbmI_5_6tDVPpihgNeL_MY0xlNWjtq0Xzn6ykCIRhUIPB6ml6j_qcL6o4z1Ze7XGkLR5MCrEsjCa1VAPEZZQ1ugk/s640/DSC_0503.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the horse looks startled.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Oh well, maybe they'll be back tomorrow.</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-18372043845076626642011-03-09T05:56:00.000-08:002011-03-09T06:00:57.468-08:00Lucky Duck Gets Some Friends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KJAdqvwGVnQ/TU24FBxZF1I/AAAAAAAAAfs/8t6Zu5Ph1CU/s1600/DSC_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KJAdqvwGVnQ/TU24FBxZF1I/AAAAAAAAAfs/8t6Zu5Ph1CU/s400/DSC_0512.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
A few years ago my husband and I decided we would get some ducks to raise for meat. We like duck, and we're not averse to eating things we have raised. Honestly, I think that there is no better way to understand animal rights and the importance of responsible husbandry than to be involved in raising your own meat animals. I have a great respect and love for animals. My respect and love for them is only deepened in knowing that they make the ultimate sacrifice for us. Because they make this sacrifice, I am committed to making their lives as happy as possible. But, I digress....<br />
<br />
We bought a breed of duck called "Blue Swedish". It's a duck bred for meat and egg production. A wholly domestic dusk. They can't fly at all. Actually, most domestic ducks and chickens can't fly. Partly because they are bred to have a lot of meat and partly for practical reasons. It's kind of hard to keep an animal around if it can up and fly away anytime.<br />
<br />
Our Blue Swedish ducks were great! They were fun to have around, they were very tasty and, all in all, it was a great experience. So, last year I decided to get more ducks. We had a farm, we had a coop, our chickens were doing great..... I felt we were ready to get some more ducks. So, I started cruising Craigslist.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I found someone selling Muscovy ducks for $4 a duck. That's a steal! Muscovies usually sell for $10-15 for an adult. I didn't know much about Muscovy ducks, but I had heard their meat described as the "veal of duck meat", had heard they were good layers, and also good mothers. It seemed that Muscovies were the way to go.....</div><br />
I bought three. I thought I'd made the deal of a lifetime! Still thinking I was pretty savvy, I asked the seller if the ducks could fly. She said they could fly about as well as a chicken. No problem! My chickens are good fliers, as far as chickens go, but they can only get a few feet off the ground and can't fly very far. I've certainly never had a problem with them flying away. I brought my new ducks home and put them in the coop.<br />
<br />
That evening, I headed out to check on my ducks. I opened the coop door, and the ducks darted out. I started to herd them back in. They took off in flight. Remember how the seller said they could fly as well as a chicken? Ha! They took off in a flight that would make an eagle proud. As I watched them fly away over the roof of my two story house, I heard my husband call out "Hey, were those your ducks?". Yes, those <i>were</i> my ducks.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I searched for them that night, to no avail. Eventually I went to bed. There really wasn't much I could do. The next morning when I got up, guess what I saw in my back yard? One of my ducks had returned! I named her Lucky and she soon became a fixture on the farm. She hung out with the chickens during the day. She slept with the horses in the barn at night. Any time I was outside, she was right at my heels.</div><br />
But, ducks like to have duck friends. I wanted her to stick around. Since she can fly, I didn't want her to fly away looking for a man come spring. I needed more ducks.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3X1wPstGv303K3mhVhtKhOt5U2E5JXrzbjKfnr9PFhMTovxcETvbH9cGXg3wzh_nKLjwOqp7iZQniRCAzdRaF6Hyt_gvGKdtsTeEm8dffekfhhlpe0knkXGYHIxd_7j2Y1NpxKyvvoHo/s1600/DSC_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3X1wPstGv303K3mhVhtKhOt5U2E5JXrzbjKfnr9PFhMTovxcETvbH9cGXg3wzh_nKLjwOqp7iZQniRCAzdRaF6Hyt_gvGKdtsTeEm8dffekfhhlpe0knkXGYHIxd_7j2Y1NpxKyvvoHo/s400/DSC_0502.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lonely Lucky Duck</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I found a local breeder, and arranged to see her ducks. Her farm was beautiful and her stock was healthy and well cared for. I ended up purchasing a young hen and an older drake. Drakes (males) are similar to roosters in their function in the flock. A good drake (or rooster) protects his hens and their babies. Since my birds free range durig the day, I like to have an experienced male on hand. And, really, who could pass up such a handsome fellow?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5J1Fq1kZdzUWeOSLW8GMBd4KVlPVJP50aKBjVfIzwVMZxncyzEcllNNNOZkdjph-4TCHj05VqjVIwsPdn1zgbSZzh6IHK1N0rJWSmd0AihPV2NAIp_LV78ORN87eaf6iRbKrZI2aghc/s1600/DSC_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5J1Fq1kZdzUWeOSLW8GMBd4KVlPVJP50aKBjVfIzwVMZxncyzEcllNNNOZkdjph-4TCHj05VqjVIwsPdn1zgbSZzh6IHK1N0rJWSmd0AihPV2NAIp_LV78ORN87eaf6iRbKrZI2aghc/s400/DSC_0530.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
OK, maybe he does look a bit like a dinosaur. Male Muscovy ducks have fleshy growths on their faces, sort of like a tom turkey's waddle. But look at his lovely plumage. It doesn't show up as well on camera, but in the sun, all those black feathers turn green and purple! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdXIVt7Zop7s-GggysMouK_yiRDfdMi498NTwV4ySoupa-UJUnAd9XC9ZNkIhxyDskBnhlJs0G35sKIU3Ht1sqezqTQN17tf_aRvyeDpwPGWpeQ4nqmO3jDHfps7xvVY5x8j5bygh_3c/s1600/DSC_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdXIVt7Zop7s-GggysMouK_yiRDfdMi498NTwV4ySoupa-UJUnAd9XC9ZNkIhxyDskBnhlJs0G35sKIU3Ht1sqezqTQN17tf_aRvyeDpwPGWpeQ4nqmO3jDHfps7xvVY5x8j5bygh_3c/s400/DSC_0516.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
My new little female is adorable, too. She seems to be a perfect little lady. A definite contrast to my brazen Lucky duck.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJMiBOkb2GiqTIWZpMgHRIe5M7u328dzTFtOzOh5gv92zOrnYM7jHmINo6y7dAb7b22yhWZg9Bde3e7Fgy1FbkFxVUVOIZeY4huEAQL1CuKKTOHJWP5KIF3YufiGcJsoYbtQ-eMdETdo/s1600/DSC_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJMiBOkb2GiqTIWZpMgHRIe5M7u328dzTFtOzOh5gv92zOrnYM7jHmINo6y7dAb7b22yhWZg9Bde3e7Fgy1FbkFxVUVOIZeY4huEAQL1CuKKTOHJWP5KIF3YufiGcJsoYbtQ-eMdETdo/s400/DSC_0536.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Lucky showing her new friend the feed room</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
She's still a little shy, but I think she'll warm up in time. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1seqQs3zplohdalNC36xbzW0NsyHdbstryWkJVDOmkFyJ8bIcUU3EpkV66iKmiDXL-hnY-9PSJz1gYLrgyGm4YyJwjxe75fv0HAOdv7ag_-m3-lfs3Z3dZhVAcSMrZlwVOjM8yWAHhxg/s1600/DSC_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1seqQs3zplohdalNC36xbzW0NsyHdbstryWkJVDOmkFyJ8bIcUU3EpkV66iKmiDXL-hnY-9PSJz1gYLrgyGm4YyJwjxe75fv0HAOdv7ag_-m3-lfs3Z3dZhVAcSMrZlwVOjM8yWAHhxg/s400/DSC_0533.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I have learned my lesson this time, also. I clipped the new ducks' wings as soon as I got them home. No more fly aways! </div></div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-54458046762577254602011-03-05T12:32:00.000-08:002011-03-05T12:32:45.081-08:00An Exciting Week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Spring is on its way! The bulbs are coming up, buds are swelling on the ornamental fruit trees (they always seem to be the first to bloom), the days are getting longer and temps are staying consistently above freezing during the day. That means it's time to get busy getting the garden ready. And busy is exactly what I've been this week. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86InCFgxKLeIzaKAPFf3J4BZu2jVpzWNRfZzWOaFh6ddvjaiMijhTeGbHMevmv6HTY1rTqQvYQwTsBkGI7kArxRO854Stj5A67mUGqBDUUhKiWtD-69RdyoXSbIyhMzaqHEbst9MMgZ0/s1600/DSC_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86InCFgxKLeIzaKAPFf3J4BZu2jVpzWNRfZzWOaFh6ddvjaiMijhTeGbHMevmv6HTY1rTqQvYQwTsBkGI7kArxRO854Stj5A67mUGqBDUUhKiWtD-69RdyoXSbIyhMzaqHEbst9MMgZ0/s320/DSC_0500.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out of control Photinia hedge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Hedges were pruned and ducks were purchased, but those are posts for another day. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdXIVt7Zop7s-GggysMouK_yiRDfdMi498NTwV4ySoupa-UJUnAd9XC9ZNkIhxyDskBnhlJs0G35sKIU3Ht1sqezqTQN17tf_aRvyeDpwPGWpeQ4nqmO3jDHfps7xvVY5x8j5bygh_3c/s1600/DSC_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdXIVt7Zop7s-GggysMouK_yiRDfdMi498NTwV4ySoupa-UJUnAd9XC9ZNkIhxyDskBnhlJs0G35sKIU3Ht1sqezqTQN17tf_aRvyeDpwPGWpeQ4nqmO3jDHfps7xvVY5x8j5bygh_3c/s320/DSC_0516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New friends for Lucky the duck!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
My seed sowing is getting into full swing! I started zinnias and marigolds inside and winter sowed some more lettuce, swiss chard and snapdragons. Although, I'm not sure the lettuce and swiss chard really count as winter sowing, it's getting pretty close to the time I would be sowing it outdoors in the garden, anyway. The snapdragons were just seed I had leftover from a container I started indoors. I figured, what the heck? If it works, I know I won't have to start them indoors next year.<br />
<br />
My indoor seedlings are doing great. Last week's tomato seeds are already sprouting. The jalapeno and bell peppers are looking great, too. The poblanos still haven't sprouted, but they were slow to germinate last year, too. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp1bU5Iy5kB5vhfsf8f26hKO1bL8TyrnvxsW7miHduRRJlH-6KOnH-9xu7Ku8ymLcg1pF7vc4kI6QV1VX88KH22u9-GLx0fkIXDJm_aWhGUpu_fMbyZHVRixoCFK6orfDnjKPZ8xUKJg/s1600/DSC_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp1bU5Iy5kB5vhfsf8f26hKO1bL8TyrnvxsW7miHduRRJlH-6KOnH-9xu7Ku8ymLcg1pF7vc4kI6QV1VX88KH22u9-GLx0fkIXDJm_aWhGUpu_fMbyZHVRixoCFK6orfDnjKPZ8xUKJg/s320/DSC_0501.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomatoes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
With temperatures consistently in the 40s during the day and sunny weather, I've been able to take the celery and indoor-sown lettuce outside during the day to harden off. Taking them outside also frees up space under the grow lights. I'm starting to run out of room. <br />
<br />
And, to top it all off, when I opened my email this morning I found out I had won a book! <a href="http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2011/02/design-first-plant-later-and-kitchen-gardener-giveaway.html">Garden Rant</a> hosted a giveaway of <a href="http://www.ellenogden.com/contact-ellen/">Ellen Ecker Ogden's</a> new book <a href="http://www.ellenogden.com/">The Complete Kitchen Garden</a>, and I won! I'm really excited to get my copy. The book is a collection of garden designs, seasonal recipes and tips on organic gardening. As soon as I'm done reading it, I'll post a review.<br />
<br />
<strong>Be sure to check out </strong><a href="http://www.growingthehomegarden.com/2011/03/spinach-lettuce-and-tomatoes-seed.html"><strong>Seed Sowing Saturday</strong></a><strong> with Dave at </strong><a href="http://www.growingthehomegarden.com/"><strong>The Home Garden</strong></a><strong>!</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-61145227161186677272011-03-01T17:50:00.000-08:002011-03-01T17:50:52.469-08:00Tarragon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I love tarragon. I put it in eggs, salads, chicken, seafood, and salad dressing (it's delicious in vinaigrette!). Unfortunately, it's hard to find in the grocery stores around here. It's a sad consequence of my rural lifestyle. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I found some at my local nursery. After tasting a leaf to be certain it was true tarragon, I snapped it up.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">True French tarragon is a tender, temperamental perennial that propagates via cuttings and runners. It does not grow from seed. Any seed you see sold as "tarragon" is likely to be Russian tarragon, which has little flavor. A true tarragon plant has an unmistakable anise "zip" to it. Some even call it "numbing". I call it tasty!</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I keep my tarragon plants on the south side of the house, near the foundation, in an area I call "The Kitchen Garden". It's where I grow my perennial herbs: sage, rosemary, chives, thyme, oregano and marjoram. It's warmer in the winter and well drained, perfect for delicate Mediterranean plants. In the summer, it's lightly shaded from the worst of the heat by this shrubby purple floribunda rose, whose name escapes me right now.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5eqUkh9KE4NiK52zAPEnIiVSJu0zAg02UsT7nWyk48QaZ3059AUoBH73GcUrsopGCNf444CO3_Tl6pQzYgQ_RKdA5DcNEaMA1UhX-1ja670Tihdu4BalrnhtHBacuVfuUWbH1N7vejU/s1600/DSC_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5eqUkh9KE4NiK52zAPEnIiVSJu0zAg02UsT7nWyk48QaZ3059AUoBH73GcUrsopGCNf444CO3_Tl6pQzYgQ_RKdA5DcNEaMA1UhX-1ja670Tihdu4BalrnhtHBacuVfuUWbH1N7vejU/s400/DSC_0512.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><br />
I usually let the tarragon over winter in the kitchen garden, under an insulating blanket of straw, but we don't usually have winters this consistently cold. Sometime in December, I panicked. I didn't want to lose my tarragon. So, during a thaw, I went outside, dug it up, potted it and brought it into the house. I was sure I had killed it. But, after sitting in the sunroom looking dead for two months or so, it's coming back to life! I guess tarragon is tougher than I gave it credit for...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTBRr-038xcNMOiVwtm865eV9927f_Ge7AKfF0Abz5kPVWpUX7MyrXDVcdNGgqMz2BkTY_jjWrYPIdWqmJsNT_8_9NCeANLBon-IqqGC43wVJ4WNCayEa01VyGkBCEKyqoexkHQs-_AE/s1600/DSC_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTBRr-038xcNMOiVwtm865eV9927f_Ge7AKfF0Abz5kPVWpUX7MyrXDVcdNGgqMz2BkTY_jjWrYPIdWqmJsNT_8_9NCeANLBon-IqqGC43wVJ4WNCayEa01VyGkBCEKyqoexkHQs-_AE/s400/DSC_0504.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Just for fun, here's one of my favorite tarragon recipes. It's great on salad, but even better as a marinade for seafood!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Citrus Vinaigrette:</u></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1/3 cup rice wine vinegar<em> (white wine vinegar, champagne vinegar or any other light vinegar will do. I've even used plain white wine for marinades, and it came out great.) </em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1/3 cup citrus juice <em>(I usually mix orange and lime. Orange, pineapple and lime also makes a tasty combo)</em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">2 tbsp olive oil</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tbsp Dijon mustard</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tbsp honey</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">salt and pepper to taste <em>(sometimes I use soy sauce in place of salt. I think it gives it a an Asian flair.)</em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">If I'm using this as a marinade, I usually add a clove of garlic, too. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">To me, a recipe is just a suggestion. I'm always manipulating and tweaking things. If you try this recipe let me know in the comments how you liked it and if you made any changes. Or if, you have your own tarragon recipe that you love, leave it in the comments, I'd love to hear it!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197675594705561075.post-69853722894425340242011-02-26T12:08:00.000-08:002011-02-26T13:26:31.728-08:00Tomatoes And Transplants<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaGy81gDXhj12cEis1TH9LJ7xVRpunPjcqcUI4ov185e57MOQ1rBet5VvnJ1OR_yRYdATuFU-h_3SbNQCwNp9uuAkcSieoDLjirNKEQ6cPBdDwCB2JGJ7QECubpDWOdbw7mMDwb3e24s/s1600/DSC_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaGy81gDXhj12cEis1TH9LJ7xVRpunPjcqcUI4ov185e57MOQ1rBet5VvnJ1OR_yRYdATuFU-h_3SbNQCwNp9uuAkcSieoDLjirNKEQ6cPBdDwCB2JGJ7QECubpDWOdbw7mMDwb3e24s/s320/DSC_0506.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomatoes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I love tomatoes. Love them. There is no experience as divine as biting into a freshly picked, vine ripened tomato still warm from the summer sun. I wait all year for that experience. So enamored of that experience am I, that I never buy tomatoes from the store. It's just not the same, and just not worth it. The only tomatoes I eat are the ones that come from my backyard!<br />
<br />
So, naturally, I was very excited to sow my tomatoes this week. I started four varieties this year: Rutgers, Super Sweet 100, Fresh Salsa and Cherry Red. <br />
<br />
"Rutgers" is my absolute favorite tomato. I have tried many varieties of slicing tomato over the years, and I just can't find one to outperform "Rutgers". Although, I will admit I may be biased. Rutgers University is my Alma Mater and I worked for them for many years. They're also still holding my pension. Nepotism aside, "Rutgers" is still a great variety. It's hardy, disease resistant, prolific and flavorful. It always has a place in my garden.<br />
<br />
"Super Sweet 100" is another variety that has earned its place in my garden with it's hardiness and fecundity. "100" is actually an understatement, they should really add another zero. It produces steadily throughout the season, right up 'til frost. And the green tomatoes are perfect for pickling.<br />
<br />
"Fresh Salsa" is a variety I just started planting last year. It's a plum tomato that promises "all meat", and they aren't lying! The first time I cut into one, I didn't know what to think. There was no juice, few seeds and the texture was oddly crisp for a tomato. The raw flavor was good, but I was really put off by the texture. I didn't care for the pico de gallo I made with it, either. The texture was just too weird! I wasn't sure about planting it again. Then I made a red sauce out of it. Wow! Cooking is this tomato's true calling. I was so impressed, I'm planting more this year. The only down side, it got blossom end rot mid season. I'll be adding lime this year, so hopefully we won't have that problem again.<br />
<br />
I've never planted "Red Cherry" before and don't know anything about it. In purchasing it, I was the victim of a shameless marketing ploy. Ferry Morse has cleverly emblazoned the seed packet with Sesame Street's Elmo. As soon as my 2 year old daughter saw it, we had to have it. I don't know what it is about that little red Muppet, but he's like toddler crack. They can't live without him and will beg for any product emblazoned with his bug-eyed mug. And so I'm planting "Red Cherry" tomato. I tip my hat to you, Ferry Morse.<br />
<br />
Along with my sowing, I realized it was time to transplant my celery. They were starting to escape their container. It was like a celery jungle. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT1MBAwIVfgJ38VL9mRjvqfZAGQRlOVC15LoQCVW0wEg_UfERxhQrsgSrX-V4xTtleBSNF5CawWWOQXyuOOhTgxDPc3m5lTg_AOrQn0ta0Bl2jidrVVFQXGV1ByEUWvZ3oupUzyeSrvs/s1600/DSC_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT1MBAwIVfgJ38VL9mRjvqfZAGQRlOVC15LoQCVW0wEg_UfERxhQrsgSrX-V4xTtleBSNF5CawWWOQXyuOOhTgxDPc3m5lTg_AOrQn0ta0Bl2jidrVVFQXGV1ByEUWvZ3oupUzyeSrvs/s320/DSC_0502.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum, celery jungle.......</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I was originally going to put each little seedling in it's own container. Then I realized that was way too much work. So, I put them into some big nursery pots where they'll have room to spread. It won't be long until they go out to the garden, anyway.<br />
<br />
Which reminds me: We'll be having warmer weather this week. It's time for the cool season veggies to start hanging out on the porch to harden off. Here in zone 6, their transplant time is early March and that's right around the corner. My babies are growing up!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>For more seed starting fun, join Dave at the <a href="http://www.growingthehomegarden.com/">The Home Garden</a> for <a href="http://www.growingthehomegarden.com/2011/02/starting-tomatoes-seed-sowing-saturday.html">Seed Sowing Saturday</a>!</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>A Work In Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.com7