After raining on and off most of last week the sun has finally returned. The first thing we did was run the hand cultivator through the garden. Look at that new crop of baby weeds below. My first job this morning is to finish hoeing this garden and get the mulch down.
Then we have tomatoes and an entire new garden to plant with warm season crops before the rains return. So we will be planting tomatoes, corn, beans, squash, okra, sweet potatoes and melons. The asparagus bed needs to be finished edging and the mowing caught up with. We may have to bail the lawn if it keeps raining like this. All the rivers and creeks around us are bank full but so far no flooding other than extreme low lying areas.
I took a walk around the farm and noticed that not only are my fruit trees loaded but also the wild black cherry tree pictured above, along with a bumper crop of wild mulberries and plums. It's been about 2 years since we have had a really good fruit season so I am hoping this trend continues for the rest of the season.
We've been eating lots of salads lately as the lettuce and spinach is wonderful with the mild temperatures and lots of rain. The down side is that the rabbits have discovered both the lettuce and my beets. O Wise One is on patrol and I see the gun out in the shed by the garden up high on the shelf away from the grandkids. When he moves the gun to the shed I know he means business!
I see evidence of thrips, aphids and flea beetles already in various parts of the gardens and beds. It is going to be the year of the bugs. I am just starting to see the white butterflies that lay the cabbage looper worms. But on the flip side I am seeing lots of toads and birds so maybe they will even things out.
They say when the peonies bloom it is time to plant the summer garden and the peonies are definitely blooming here. Although with all the thunderstorms they are looking a little worst for wear. So we are planting the garden today.
Blessings from The Holler
The Canned Quilter
What wonderful photos. What do you do in your spare time??
ReplyDeleteCQ, Good morning! I love your cultivator. We tried to pickup an old plow and cultivator at the Farmers Market a couple of weeks ago but this couple beat us to them :-(
ReplyDeleteI pray that you don't have flooding problems from the creeks and rivers around your property. Thank you for sharing beautiful pictures from around your farm. I laughed when I read the part of your post about eating lots of salads. Were doing the same here to! We don't have have rabbits helping eat the lettuce, it's a thought though. Have a great day.
Oh, the battle of the weeds and pests! We are already in the same boat this year.
ReplyDeleteI ended up planting a "micro-garden" using my annual flower beds. I put in a dozen tomato plants and a dozen pepper plants, along with lettuces, basil, dill, cilantro, and onions. The bugs are having a heyday with my tomatoes and pepper plants. I am making a spray with garlic and 35000 HU cayenne pepper. Is there anything else I should be doing to prevent the bug damage? (I grew up using Sevin dust on everything, and I don't want that.)
ReplyDeleteRabbit stew? :o)
ReplyDeleteI think when I plant seeds, my new plants have to worry because I pull them with sprouted weeds...
Your garden looks great as always, CQ! :o)
Lovely flowers! I planted a peony, but very late. I'll be happy if it comes up.
ReplyDelete