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

[Cebarmlds]

We sure could use some of that rain.

 

[jvls1942]

we get the rain, but then it dries out so fast.
I spent a couple of hours watering all the new planted trees and grapes , yesterday.
Where the two grapes did not survive, I planted green cuttings. in about a week or so I should know if they take root.
The raised beds are doing great. one bed of strawberries has began to blossom again.
The resident deer is leaving the plants alone, so far.
When I was sitting on my chair and watering the tomatoes, she walked up to 20 feet behind me. I didn't know she was there. I startled her when I stood up.
we have another stray cat. maybe between the two of them they can catch the few remaining rabbits. they took care of all of the red squirrels and chipmunks.
I suppose it won't be long before we are swarming with kittens .
........jiminwaUSAu......

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Lots of deer here too. I'm sure they will clean me out of apples off my trees again. It seems to be the downside to planting dwarf varieties.

Often in the fall people will dump cats out here. It's unfortunate. If they would just ask I might take them and acclimate them. Otherwise they just run scared and disappear.

Our 3 resident cats are good hunters too. Wish they would stop leaving their victims all over the driveway and yard. My dogs always find them and either chew on them or roll in them depending on their state of ripeness.

 

[jvls1942]

I guess I am a glutton for punishment. I have it in my head to try to straighten out the old grape arbor. There is nothing left of the posts or wires. All the vines are lying on the ground in a tangled mess. I foresee a lot of pruning in my future. I know summer is not the best time to do this, but I want to at least get a start on it
I am thinking of making a T post for each main stem I find. None of them are lined up enough to stretch a wire between posts.
the new grapes are growing nicely. first year , they are just establishing their main trunks..
.......jiminwaUSAu.....

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like a lot of work Jim. Today is a nice day to work outside before the heat returns. How's Annie doing?

 

[jvls1942]

Annie's knee is mending. She is going to therapy once a week. can walk with a walker, but still uses the wheelchair for grocery shopping.. Has some pain when she walks. but that is expected..
I think I have a plan for the wild grape vines. I'll let you know if/when it works. I think I have to make individual T posts for each vine..
I want to transplant an elderberry bush from up the road in the ditch.. I am thinking I will just jerk it out with the tractor loader and divide the roots.. ??
I will do that in the fall after the berries are picked.
......jiminwaUSAu.......

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's good to hear Annie is slowly improving.

We had some elderberry shrubs that we removed a few years back. They spread by root, so just grabbing a chunk should work. I don't recall why we removed them. I think they were just messy to mow around.

These are the wild grapes? Those can be very long and heave. We let one vine go once and it became a massive thing that we have used as a shade arbor.

 

[jvls1942]

these grapes are concord that used to be my old arbor. the wires gave way so I pulled all the wires and posts . Now the grapes are creeping along the ground. They are getting crowded out by raspberries.. Instead of trying to save them as an arbor, I will dig them up this fall and transplant them. There are not too many ..
I got up early this morning and mulched the new arbor with grass clippings. I have to cut some more grass for more clippings. Was going to do that this afternoon, but it is too hot.
We didn't even cook today. Cold sandwiches and cantalope.
...jiminwisc........ .

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It is too warm out. I'm thankful we are getting enough rain so everything isn't dried out like it is many years.

I'm finally starting to get a few cucumbers and tomatoes. We had some beets, green beans, and carrots out of the garden for supper.

 

[jvls1942]

We lucked out with those storms. lots of rain, lightning and thunder. Not excessive wind.
I pulled 47 garlics. . they are curing in the garage.
training the first year grape main stems. they don't seem very robust. but as long as they survive, they will get stronger.
our resident deer shows up a few times a week. three days ago she came to eat the apples that the wind knocked off the tree. she brought some helpers along.
three spotted fawns.. they show up every day at dusk. So far she hasn't bothered the raised beds of beans and beets.
I am collecting the mowed grass and using it for mulch. My lawn sweeper does not work very good so I end up raking.
........jiminwaUSAu.........