This morning, as I always do in spring, I began the day taking inventory. There are the flowers of course. New this week are Virginia bluebells, anemone, and grape hyacinth.
Even more welcome was the first asparagus stalk. Only an inch tall so far, but it is the promise of the 2013 harvest. Only three weeks ago, we finished the last package of green beans we picked in September. With only a three week lapse, we can continue to eat from the garden. I've already planted peas and onions. A week from now, it will be carrots and green beans.
I wait until then because over the weekend there is a possibility of a cold snap. Until we get past Sunday, most of my plants are in pots on the front deck. There they are protected from strong wind. The deck is always going to be a few degrees warmer than the rest of the exterior temperature because the house gives off a little heat. The most delicate flowers and plants will be moved in their pots into the garage until the snap is over.
Major planting in the back yard will begin on Monday when the frost danger is past.
The final surprise this morning was the pear tree. For several years, we could harvest only four pears at most. Last year, there was only a solitary pear that survived a March heat wave and an April frost.
This year, the tree is loaded with buds, each one to become a blossom, and after that a pear. If the cold snap doesn't bring frost, this could be a bumper year for pears.
I worked in the gardens most of the day while Gary worked on building a railing around the rear deck. By the end of the day, Gary was sunburned while I had a lovely tan because I never burn.
Tonight, we took sub sandwiches to the Shiocton marsh to see what was new there. In addition to all the birds I've been reporting, there were green-winged teal and one species of sandpiper the yellowleg.
Here at Mathom House, we've put out grape jelly for the oriole and filled the water basins in hope of enticing the rose-breasted grosbeak in. The wrens already have found their nesting places in the back yard and are chewing us out for daring to go back there.
Come May 15, they may well have the place to themselves much of the summer. When the national forest campgrounds open, we'll be gone.
Even more welcome was the first asparagus stalk. Only an inch tall so far, but it is the promise of the 2013 harvest. Only three weeks ago, we finished the last package of green beans we picked in September. With only a three week lapse, we can continue to eat from the garden. I've already planted peas and onions. A week from now, it will be carrots and green beans.
I wait until then because over the weekend there is a possibility of a cold snap. Until we get past Sunday, most of my plants are in pots on the front deck. There they are protected from strong wind. The deck is always going to be a few degrees warmer than the rest of the exterior temperature because the house gives off a little heat. The most delicate flowers and plants will be moved in their pots into the garage until the snap is over.
Major planting in the back yard will begin on Monday when the frost danger is past.
The final surprise this morning was the pear tree. For several years, we could harvest only four pears at most. Last year, there was only a solitary pear that survived a March heat wave and an April frost.
This year, the tree is loaded with buds, each one to become a blossom, and after that a pear. If the cold snap doesn't bring frost, this could be a bumper year for pears.
I worked in the gardens most of the day while Gary worked on building a railing around the rear deck. By the end of the day, Gary was sunburned while I had a lovely tan because I never burn.
Tonight, we took sub sandwiches to the Shiocton marsh to see what was new there. In addition to all the birds I've been reporting, there were green-winged teal and one species of sandpiper the yellowleg.
Here at Mathom House, we've put out grape jelly for the oriole and filled the water basins in hope of enticing the rose-breasted grosbeak in. The wrens already have found their nesting places in the back yard and are chewing us out for daring to go back there.
Come May 15, they may well have the place to themselves much of the summer. When the national forest campgrounds open, we'll be gone.
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