Before May long weekend.

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Manyra
Number of View: 18

This weekend was really the start of the gardening year. Common sense around here says don’t plant until May long weekend. But the season seems to be a few weeks ahead. Plus I’m going camping so I need to get as much done as possible now. Thankfully the weather is gorgeous – even of Martini (youngest kitten) is too hot.

Lawn – mowed a few times already except for the far side and far front. The branches and pine cones have been picked up just need to get in there with the push mower. Lawn tractor not gonna cut it. Literally. The dandelions are there but not too bad.

Veggie garden: The boy has four rows of peas planted. Nothing from the first two have sprouted and it’s been three weeks. But the root tiller is not starting and we are not willing to dig up 1600 sq ft by hand. Still we have started seeds for tomatoes (20 started a few weeks ago and another 20 today), corn, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, sunflowers, peppers. Not sure if anything will sprout, never really had much luck with seedlings but seeds are cheap. I have a few other things that can be directly sown in June if the garden is ever turned over. Perhaps we’ll get something for the lawn tractor from an auction.

Herbs: planted a whole bunch of seeds, because I had them. If nothing grows I will buy plants.

Hops: are far ahead most years. We just restrung the pole (a 16ft 4×4) in what must have been record time. No one died.

Bloom count: Maydays, thunderchild crab apple, double flowering plum, rock cress, cat mint.

Replants: moved the edelweiss, yarrow, globe thistle, cranesbill. Not too worried about their survival.

Up next: keep weeding. More perennials.

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May long weekend progress.

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Manyra
Number of View: 56

So it is now happening. All at once!

Lawn: Growing too fast to keep up. I am using the bagger on the Garzia (what I know call the lawn tractor.) to avoid the mats of drying grass. There’s even too much for the composter. Already picked up about 30 bags. Now, it’s too wet to keep going.

Trees: Everything leafed out fairly quickly, highlighting how much dead wood needs to be cut out. The Maydays and Double flowering plum just came into bloom starting about Wednesday, but the plum only at the bottom branches, not the middle or top. Interesting. Now if the wind will hold off just a bit I can enjoy it.

Garden Beds:

  • Circle – Weeds getting away from me. Too wet to burn so I started digging. Got through about a quarter and it nearly killed me.
  • Brass – this is also getting away from me.  More Digging.
  • Bay Window – The one clematis that survived is starting show blooms. And two hostas that I thought I lost long again have shoots coming up.
  • Veggie – The boy has been working hard out there – removing sod to square it up. Lots of sod since I apparently cannot create a straight line to save my life. Turns out the measurements – not the happy 40X40 that we expected but 40X30X42X36. Still, with a touch of compost & new soil, and lots of rotortilling the bed was ready to go last night. Despite ongoing rain, almost everything is now in.
  • Berry patch: happily growing!
  • Beer – Nothing done. The area of sod I picked up last year is going to weed. Must fix that.
  • Driveway – Still need to clear away last year’s debris.

Hops: The pole was restrung and hops are growing happily – 3 per string for 12 vines in total.
Herbs: Happily growing. I planted some seed for oregano, parsley & dill.
Grapes: One survived and is going to leaf.
Around the house: We now have a new dining set for outside. It seats 6 so I have to get ride of all the excess stuff on the brick area to make room.
More pic up on my gallery.

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Playing catch up.

Posted on May 7, 2011 by Manyra
Number of View: 90

According to my previous journals, we are about 2 weeks behind on the yard. We are just starting to get anything done outside.

Lawn: Nice and green with a few patches from mice damage. First mow of the season! Branches being picked up.
Trees: The poplar’s have started dropping their sticky pods and fuzz but nothing else has leafed out yet.

Garden Beds:
Circle – Burning any new weeds. Took a chance on transplanting the poppies and violets into the brass garden so I can burn everything, then till to plant. Not sure how happy the cherry tree is. Must look into making some cuttings for new trees.
Brass – The extension has grass and weeds that need burning. Then to add more soil and plant. The original part is pretty over grown with phlox & anemones. Still, the other perennials are coming up well.
Bay Window – I think only the stinging nettle & one clematis survived. Sad…
Veggie – Still too wet to till.
Berry patch: happily growing!
Beer – Nothing done. The area of sod I picked up last year is going to weed. Must fix that.
Driveway – Still need to clear away last year’s debris.
Hops: Four shoots on each hill are coming up!!!
Herbs: Surprised to see quite a few survived the winter.
Grapes: Not sure if they survived.
Around the house: Landscape the ground around the house to get ready for painting & deck building happening *sometime*
TO DO: Order a big yellow bag of soil for pick up. Buy new garden furniture.

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In which our heroine does the impossible.

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Manyra
Number of View: 104

Yesterday, I opened a window. Reckless and foolhardy, I know but that is part of the thrill.

The last ten days saw about 30mm of precip (mostly in snow) and temps from 10 to -5, often everyday. It’s been a true to life “if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes.” Nothing we can do except try to keep busy inside.

Yesterday, the cycle broke: clear skies, warm air, happy birds.  Today more of the same. With the exception of a few more cold nights (must remember to cover up the lavender) the next few weeks are forecasted as warm with little precipitation. Since we are going away, this will help dry things out so we can jump into the dirt as soon as we get home, if all goes well, that is.

Until then I will amuse myself with plotting out what gets planted where in the veggie garden, perhaps a bit of burning, ordering a big Yellow bag of soil & watching newly discovered Garden Shows.

What are these shows you ask?
Vitality Gardening, Gardening with Ciscoe, Prairie Gardeners, and the CBC Documentary Gardening Confidential.

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So much work!

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Manyra
Number of View: 94

In the last two days the snow has much receded uncovering an enormous mess.

  • Leaves. Lots and lots of leaves. Thought I did a pretty good job cleaning those up last year but no.
  • Mice/vole tunnels – they burrow under the snow covering their tunnels with grass clippings.
  • Branches. Lots of branches, big branches.
  • junk and cornstalks around the veggie garden.
  • Dog Poo.

We are also experience I think for the first time flooding in the yard. I’m a bit concerned about the septic field being overloaded.

Still, the first flowers of the year are up (pics of crocuses here!), lots of birds are happily munching away at my bird feeders, my seedlings are thriving, and lots of greenery can be seen under the mulch in the perennial garden.

I’m not sure I’m ready for this yet. I mean sure it will be nice to be outside, once the water and mushly ground is gone but in house still needs much attention. The office reno is progressing, kinda. I’m putting down the floor right now about 3 rows at a time and once that’s done there are a few piddly little things to get the room move in ready. Then there’s the moving in. *oh my*

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