Snow Storm December 11, 2010

Fun times in the backyard

kv's backyard goes to the vineyard

I have a couple friends who are stewards for a vineyard in Cannon Falls. Last Tuesday I went with them to work at the vineyard. We spent most of our time untangling the vines and raising them to the next level. I'll be heading back tomorrow to help with putting nets over the vines. The grapes will be turning colors soon and that means the birds will take notice and have a feast!

I really enjoyed spending time at the vineyard, it is so quiet and peaceful. I never notice how noisy my neighborhood is until I get out into the country. I think I missed my calling; I should have been a farmer.

Cardinals

Listening to the cardinal chirping in the backyard reminded me that I need to fill the feeders. I got away from feeding the bird feeders last summer but I moved the feeders closer to the house this year so now I want to start filling them again. I miss the birds. I should pick up some peanuts for the Jays too. 

Here's a little look into the backyard...

 I'm still battling the Japanese beetles but I think I have them on the run now. I mixed up some of the Bayer product I used last year and watered the trees and flowers. Fortunately they are staying away from the vegetable garden this year.

 The first watermelon! There are more growing but this is the biggest one, I noticed it last week when I was picking tomatoes. If we get a melon for every flower on the vine there are going to be a LOT of watermelons! Kim I hope you're hungry :)

 Peppers! I'm getting a lot of bell peppers, not many hot peppers so far. I'm hoping I can get a least enough to make a batch of salsa. I'll let these bell peppers go orange before I pick 'em.

 Brussel sprouts :p Nancee swears she can cook these so that I will like them. The challenge is on! There are about 6 plants and they are all doing good so she will have a lot to experiment with.

 Roma tomatoes, mmm these are about the only tomatoes that I can eat raw. They are going to make some delicious sauces. I learned a few lessons last year about freezing tomatoes and sauces. Hopefully I'll have better luck this year.

 Cabbage, this is a first for me, even if I don't eat it they make great plants. Next year I'm going to put a few in my flower gardens. I really like them. I need to start looking for recipes.

 Sugar snap peas, these were a last minute addition to the garden. I put in six plants and three survived. I eat a handful each time I go into the garden. I think three is just enough for me. I will however get them in the ground much earlier next year. I'm thinking I may plant a few seeds now and see if I can get some fall peas. Thinking about putting in some beans too!

 Onions, they'll make a nice addition to the salsa and red sauce I plan to make as soon as I get enough tomatoes and peppers.

 Last but certainly not least, Black Eyed Susans. I have these growing all over the backyard. They add great color at this time of year.

They're back!

Those damn Japanese beetles! I was hoping I had gotten rid of them last year but I discovered some on my tomato plants and on the birch tree. Now it's time to pull out the big guns again. I don't think the beetles were actually eating the tomato plants as I did not see any indication of it. I think they're looking for something a little more appetizing. No edamame for you this year! and no green beans either. Go someplace else you little bastards. As soon as I get back from my bike ride this morning I'm getting the Bayer product out and using it in the flower garden. I can't use it in the veggie garden so I'm going to have to find something else. Maybe I can get the wasps from the garage to move to the garden, they like to eat the Japanese beetles.

What's a Weed?

These fancy flowers just arrived on their own outside of a perfectly good planter, they look like Poppies to me.

This pair of tomato plants sprung up in the middle of the lawn. I cut around it the other day but I believe it will be removed soon.

This tomato plant decided it not only did not want to grow in the bed with the other tomato plants it was going to grow next to the watermelon and pepper bed instead.

A weed is just a misplace plant right?

Everything is Growing!

 The rain this year has been insane. I am forever cutting the grass and pulling weeds. But it has been great for the vegetable garden.

Zucchini

Tomatoes

Potatoes, I haven't checked yet but I'm sure I have potatoes under the dirt. I think I'll dig a couple up tomorrow and have them for dinner :)

The cabbage is gigantic! I've never grown cabbage before so this is wild to me. 

The peppers are starting to look good.

Watermelon! Whew, they've finally taken off. I was concerned for a while because the watermelon did not seem to want to grow. 

I'm starting to move the vines towards the edge of the bed so they can come out of the bed and grow along the walkway.

 All in all the garden is looking good. I can't wait to pick the first veggies, I see a stir fry in my near future.

 And according to the fairy in the flower garden we've had more than 4 inches of rain recently.

Grow little plants grow!

 Zucchini! I can smell the bread already...

The prickly pear cactus is blooming. I noticed the flowers while I was cutting the grass on Friday.

Frog or Toad

I'm going with toad because I think frogs need more water. In any case this little guy is living in the backyard. I discovered him while I was cutting the grass. He dodged for shelter under a huge dandelion, good thing I have so many in the yard. And it looks like he is making his home under a leftover chunk of cement from the patio I took out last year. I left the grass a little longer in that area to give him a little privacy.

Miscellaneous happenings

June 7, 2010
The Memorial garden has filled in nicely






The roses have started blooming
.

Mushrooms! I have a variety of mushrooms popping up all over the yard.

First Planting of the Vegetables

May 31, 2010

The veggies are planted! YAY

Hot peppers, bell peppers and zucchini are in the first box, tomatoes and onions in the second more bell peppers and watermelon in the third box.

The box on the left has potatoes, brussel sprouts, collard greens and cabbage.

The Prickly Pear cactus is alive once again this year. I'm anxious to see the flowers and plan to try to eat some this year.

Slacker

Yep, that'd be me. I've been seriously slacking on my posts. The backyard is busy growing and I'm trying to keep up. The weather has been perfect for plants but not perfect for the gardener. It rains then it heats up. Rain + sunshine + rain + sunshine + rain + sunshine = a whole lotta growing and not much time to control it. I'm either cutting the grass or pulling weeds during the sunshiny days.

May 31, 2010

Jake standing guard over the yard