This, that, and t'other . . .

 I wanted to share this newly finished top in better lighting

 and to show off the greening of the trees

not to mention all it's crinkley goodness!

 Friends gifted me their smaller greenhouse.  This weekend I'll start planting.

 Last year's cabbage plants have gone to seed.  It's time to trim them back.

 Look how fast pumpkin seeds grow, it's one reason I love planting them.

 Steady, almost daily mowing, required a make-do-for-the-moment compost bin.

 Oak pallets held together with sturdy twine.  Newspapers were placed underneath to prevent weed growth.

See how much green has burst forth in the last week.  We're all looking forward to the pollen abating. Achoo!

This wee pup would like to wish you all a restful weekend and of course to remind you Mother's Day is just around the corner.  Dolly has promised me a walk in the park, but asked if I wouldn't mind driving.

Until then, keep stitchin' .  . .

The garden project, part 1.

This year's focus will be on the kitchen garden, the small plot

 My thoughtful neighbor donates his mulched leaves, which were moved away from the dirt yesterday so it can be tilled up this weekend.  In some places the leaves were over a foot high.

 I'm researching how to build a compost box that heats up enough to kill weed seeds.  Do you have any suggestions on the best method?

 Volunteer potato plants will be moved to a wire tower.

 Last year's pie pumpkins have produced this year's seedlings.

 Left in the bucket through the winter, they've decomposed down to the seeds.

 Formerly a bunny hutch made from oak pallet wood, doors were replaced with a tin panel.  Now a compost bin.

 We're going green!  Of course the pollen has arrived in droves also.

I filled the big plastic bin with water on Sunday so somebody got a porch bath this week!  It takes at least 20 gallons of sun-warmed water to get this wee pup clean.  Of course she then went out and sat in the dirt!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Is green your favorite color?

 Then you have several to choose from.  Here we have the "soon to be overrun with pumpkins" kitchen garden.  Thus named, as it can be viewed from the kitchen.  Clever huh?

This caption should read, "invasion of the south 40!"

Some pumpkin leaves have deep white veins.  I've no idea why.

 Perhaps there will be a lot of creamy pumpkins.

Do you remember the original vine in the south 40 garden?  This pumpkin is from that vine, so it's ahead of everyone else.

Today's heat index was 96 so I finally got outside to start the sprinkler, making everything green and growing very happy.

Meanwhile, Dolly and I have been hiding out in the A/C room, thinking cool thoughts.

Wherever you are in this summer's heat wave, please be sure to leave plenty of fresh water outside for your furry and feathered friends.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

No doubt you've marked your calendars . . .

and are waiting patiently for the Boring Tuesday Farm Report.

Well, after 7 consecutive days of rain, here it is.

 Sunflowers, 19".

 Potatoes, 23".

 Pumpkins beginning to take over their portion of the universe.  Once they get going, I hope the weeds are decimated in the battle.

 South 40 pumpkin / watermelon patch.  The race is on.

 South 40 weed border.  Not only is this meant to keep out marauding bandits, but also to entice monarch butterflies.

There may have been one in the vicinity yesterday (butterflies, not bandits), but perhaps that's wishful thinking.  Have you seen any in your garden this year?

Last, but not least, a very scarred English cucumber.  No doubt a victim of the territorial war being waged in my front yard.

Thought for the day.  I knew you'd enjoy this one.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Boring Tuesday farm report . . .. a bit late

It's a long one, so we'll wait while you pour out the coffee.

 Sunflowers really starting to shoot up now at 9-1/2".

 New potatoes 19".

 Now WAIT, ohhh my, what do my tired eyes perceive but THE FIRST PUMPKIN BLOSSOM.

This is just too exciting.  My feet are doing the happy dance.

 Still around 16" in height,

 The original volunteer pumpkin has more than doubled it's tendril vine since last week, over 72".

 It must be glad I'm doing more weeding.

 English cucumber almost 36", WITH blossom.  Yippee.

 Now out in the far south 40, a small patch of pumpkin and watermelon.

 No plant thinning here, I let them all grow to their full potential.  Plenty of sun for everyone.

 Here's the digger/cutter tool by Fiskars.  If there are invasive weeds in your garden, you'll want one.  Along with a big blue kneeling pad.

Remember those tiny shoots with only 2 stems, well here they are ready to soak up what's going to be a 94 degree day.

Good sun, plenty of water and alpaca manure.  That's the recipe for happy pumpkins.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Weekend wanderings.

Venturing off into unfamiliar territory at the big W-M store

 I discovered the new kinda Keds.  They may not make me run faster and jump higher, but I sure like the girly-girl colors and eyelit pattern.

 Saturday's breezy weather allowed me time to weed half the garden.

There's some very stubborn grass out there which had to be removed with my new knife/digging tool.  A handy gadget to be sure.

 Grapes and cantaloupe were my lunchtime reward.  Don't ya love the purple bowl.  That was hand made by a potter friend years ago.

Of course Dolly was hoping for steak and taters.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Boring Tuesday farm report.

Do you have your coffee?  Okay, here we go.

 The biggest pumpkin measures about 16" high (2" of yardstick is in the ground).

 BUT, the leaves have doubled in size since last week and are 12" across.

 At the bottom section, what I hoped were pumpkins are now actually blooming cantaloupe.  Mother nature is tricky isn't she?

 But just down from the cantaloupe are more pumpkins, about 14" high.

 Planted in a tree bucket, lots and lots of flower seeds for the bees and butterflies.  I've planted a lot of flower seeds throughout the garden, but because the weeds have become such an issue and many of the seeds are old, there is very little sprouting.

 English cucumber, finally taking off, 19".

 When mowing the south 40 on Friday, I discovered this little gem.  Hopefully it's a watermelon.

 At the southern edge of the garden, more pumpkin seeds.  Perhaps the packet of "jumbo", not sure.

And miracle of miracles, the potato seeds bought back in early spring are really sprouting.  I'm quite thrilled about this.

God planted hope in a garden didn't he?

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .