Dreaming of Spring Gardening in the Middle of a Wisconsin winter part 2

[Callender Girl]

Trying to catch up on all the BYC news. Looks like lots going on while I was away.

Got back yesterday afternoon and, for possibly the first time in my life, I didn't even unpack. It's a good 10-hour trip from the North Shore, and I dragged stuff into the house, waved goodbye to my sister (who had another three hours to get to her home), slapped together a sandwich and crashed on the sofa.

Today, the real world is calling loudly -- unpacking, laundry, coop cleaning and mowing are all on the list. The Saturday before I left, it rained most of the day after weeks of drought. While I was gone, my sitter said it rained every day. The gauges show 2 inches, and the high grass would be evidence of that.

While I was gone, at least some of my newest girls began to lay. Although Dawn was checking the nest boxes for the big girls, I found six little pullet eggs in the Taj Ma-Coop box last night.

I also hope Anjanette is doing well. I miss seeing her posts.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Glad you made it back safely Barb. Congratulations on getting some eggs out of your new gals.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Even 3 plants is a lot for us lol

 

[jvls1942]

Hi, it's been a while since I wrote. for some of those
days I had no internet service.
I have been busy re doing the slope of the ground
away from the north side of the house. the ground
had settled and the water was draining toward the
foundation. a lot of the work caused me to kneel
down, which kills my back. had to take lots of
breaks and tylonal . I think/hope I am at the point
where I can work standing up.
we got our first tiny tomato yesterday. I hope there
are many more to follow.
I am thinking of putting rain gutters on the other side
of the porch. then next year I can add a couple more
barrels. I still have not had to use well water for the
tomatoes. and both barrels are full. It seems such a
waste when it rains now, and all the water runs out of
the over flow..

 

[Callender Girl]

Yeah, but I'm sure there will be days ahead when there is no overflow, Jim. Hope you get to work standing up. Your first tomato? Mine are winding down quickly.

Yesterday started well with a sphinx moth spending a good deal of time sipping nectar from my flowers on my deck.

But things took an ugly turn when Gabby, my sweet, funny red frizzle Cochin Bantam was clearly not feeling well. She had been her lively, happy self Sunday. Before I could get her to her vet appointment, she convulsed and died. I've lost too many this year, but this one is particularly tough.

She was my last Cochin Bantam hen (I still have Billy, the jerk rooster), and one of the few chickens who knew her name and could come running -- because she was sure it meant treats. She had a plaintive voice that she used All The Time, which made her even more endearing than her unusual appearance. I'm going to miss Gabby for a long time.

Today, I dashed to town early to buy feed, watermelon and grapes for the poultry and a few things for me to eat. I have rescheduled a medical test until next week after the heat breaks so I can let my chickens out of their coops before it gets ridiculously hot. Sometimes, I envy people who don't have pets. But, more often, I feel sorry for them.

Despite all the cost, work and heartache, I cannot imagine my life without critters.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've been busy with sick dogs, and cats requiring surgery. I hate tick diseases. Seems I'm always dealing with something constantly because of them.

My garden is starting to look tired. That's okay because I'm getting tired of gardening for the year. Cucumbers haven't done much, I've had enough with tomatoes at this point, and my green beans are winding down. Just waiting on the carrots, and sweet corn to mature. I seeded some more lettuce a few weeks back with the hope of some fall lettuce. Some has germinated, but not all. Was worth a try.

Not looking forward to our mini heat wave. Definitely preferring our cooler days.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I've been busy with sick dogs, and cats requiring surgery. I hate tick diseases. Seems I'm always dealing with something constantly because of them.

My garden is starting to look tired. That's okay because I'm getting tired of gardening for the year. Cucumbers haven't done much, I've had enough with tomatoes at this point, and my green beans are winding down. Just waiting on the carrots, and sweet corn to mature. I seeded some more lettuce a few weeks back with the hope of some fall lettuce. Some has germinated, but not all. Was worth a try.

Not looking forward to our mini heat wave. Definitely preferring our cooler days.

Sorry about your sick animals.

 

[Callender Girl]

Hope all the critters are doing okay -- and you, too, Lisa. It's so stressful when they aren't well.

 

[jvls1942]

early this morning I watered my tomatoes.
I really soaked them good with rain water
from the barrels.
I hope the sun doesn't shine today. our little
AC can keep up if it stays cloudy

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I watered my garden yesterday and forgot to turn off the house for an hour and a half. One box got watered well. Was apparently too hot to think straight. I nearly got heat stroke. I cannot tolerate heat. Bring on the snow.