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

[WIchickMama]

Hopefully Ollie is back to his old self! lol

I can't process onions and garlic much either, but I do love them both and sometimes just suffer through it.

I usually shop at Fleet Farm for feed as well, but I didn't want to drive the 50 min to the closest one the other day when the feed store is 10 min, but I guess that is the price I pay (no pun intended).

Quiet day today, cleaned out some of the old run material and spread it over the new hardware cloth apron we put down around the run this weekend, hoping to feed the grass so it gross up through the apron. Need to get out and weed, though I am just not feeling it today. Did some laundry and DH put in a reinforcing 4x4 for the driveway gate since it started to sag after the winter thaw.

Maybe will head for a walk in the woods when I am done with work this afternoon, or maybe I will take a book out, sit in a chair and read while the youngest plays. Either way sounds ok to me, one just requires a lot more bug spray to ward off the biting flies and mosquitos

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

just requires a lot more bug spray to ward off the biting flies and mosquito

Here mosquitoes haven't been too bad. Debating giving the dogs their heartworm meds or not this year. I skipped June. We haven't had many mosquitoes in the last few years so I haven't given it as much. The deer flies on the other hand are horrible. Wish those would go away. Definitely take some time to enjoy the day. Weeds will always be there later.

 

[Callender Girl]

Congrats on Ollie's return home, jiminwisc. Hope you get to take him for a spin!

Some years ago, Jim brought my dad's old Allis Chalmers out here. He and an AC hobbyist spent a lot of time trying to get it up and running. Unfortunately, they never did, and it remains parked up near the house, flat tires and all. I use it to display seasonal yard art -- like pumpkins in the fall. Right now, my collection of vintage bird houses is hanging off it or lined up on a board across the front.

Anjanet, quiet days are good days, aren't they? Hope you got to read a good book, at least before the swarms settled in.

The flies here are outrageous and vicious. They annoy people and pets alike. One of my goats is getting the worst of it; they're biting Jack's knees and making him bleed. I have spray I can put on, but the goats -- unlike the sheep -- hate the spray and run when I try to apply it. I have a bunch of fly traps hung in the pastures and poultry area.

My place sounds kind of pretty, doesn't it? There's a decades-old, parked tractor and a boatload of trapped, disgusting flies that produce even more disgusting maggots.

Lisa, congrats on not having mosquitos. I wish I could say the same. Both dogs will get their monthly heartworm meds tomorrow.

As she was being held upside down by a vet and a vet tech, it was possible to see that my limping goose has about a three-quarter inch cut on one foot. Restraining Golly like that by myself is impossible. Last night, she took the first medication without incident, but it apparently tasted bad, so she decided to spray herself and me with the second med. It's pink, and so were both of us.

After I got cleaned up, I wandered out to the garden and was probably overly thrilled to see the first two green beans sprouting up out of the dirt. I planted two rows, and these are the only two up -- so far -- but I'm optimistic. Also, my kohl rabis are doing great, as are my yellow squash. The first Cherokee purple tomato is about the size of a golf ball -- well, almost. After yesterday morning's spray of neem oil, there wasn't a single beetle on the grape vines last night.

I keep seeing chances of rain in the forecast, but not many raindrops hitting the ground. I have plenty of outdoor work to do, but one good soaking would be appreciated.

 

[jvls1942]

well,, we had several rain drops hit the ground this morning. the rain is due to stop at around noonish. It is getting lighter outside already.
I didn't get to joy ride on Ollie yet.
that didn't sound right.
I am going to pick enough rhubarb for a pie. Not supposed to pick any during the first year, but I have enough plants that I can take a stalk from each one. that shouldn't harm anything. who knows ? by next spring I could be dead, and that would mean no pie, and that would make me mad.. lolol

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Make that pie Jim. Rhubarb is pretty forgiving, and can be invasive at times.

Hoping to get out and do my walking before we get any rain. Our corn is coming up great, but so are the grass weeds. Husband plans to try to hoe between the rows. See if it helps and if he gives up after a bit. We planted a lot of it.

Too humid outside. Had to move my 3 goslings to a new pen. The other was getting too poopy. Jim you are correct that I'm gonna have problems with the older batch. Especially the young males. They will go if necessary. Not planning to add anymore and am done breeding, so not sure if all will go or not. We will start with the troublemakers. Figure I got about another month before the 3 need to get outside, and out of the pen.

 

[Callender Girl]

Gosh, I hope the goslings work out. My geese are so amusing that I sometimes think I need more geese and fewer of chickens and ducks. Of course, I am working on Plan Attrition -- where I stop adding new critters and don't replace any of the current residents.

Every so often, I think it would be great to be able to travel, and it's such a hassle to get anyone to come out here and take care of the indoor and outdoor critters.

On happier notes, I gave Golly the pink med first and while she still wore a bit of it, I got away mostly unscathed; and I have counted FIVE little green bean plants sprouting.

Jim, I totally understand your rhubarb situation. I planted some last fall and have been chomping at the bit to cut and use it. Same frustration I feel with the new strawberry plants. Hope you got a pie!

 

[WIchickMama]

I am in the same boat with 3 rhubarb plants and about 50 strawberries, guys! I just wanna pick it all and taste summer

Last work day for a whole week! We have a college tour with our oldest next week and might be driving to IA for a get-away if the neighbors are around to take care of the chickens.

Hope to do one more strawberry picking and then raspberries should be right around the corner, blueberries too!

I have dishes and laundry to do this morning, but catching up here and coffee won!

I have so many green tomatoes, they are all going to turn at once and the BAM! Canning begins.

Happy Friday!

 

[Callender Girl]

Gee, I so rarely hear folks talk about wanting to get away TO Iowa; many more wanting to get away from the Hawkeye State.

Have your best Friday, everybody!

 

[jvls1942]

Houston,, we have pie..
I cut 65 garlic skapes and made three ice cubesfuls of pesto. My first attempt
today on the way home from my neck therapy, we drove through the zoo. first we say turkeys, then geese in a field, then a deer and then two badgers crossed right in front of us.
we had to stop for them.
Wausau has been infested with black bears all spring.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Bears are slowly becoming more common. I haven't seen any here, but have seen game camera footage from our area.

So glad you have a pie Jim. I bet it's delicious.

I spent half my day escorting my 3 goslings around the yard for exercise. They need to come out of their pen for part of the day, and I can't mix them with the older ones. Husband will need to eat a few of those young males. I did walk them through their area and had to chase those males off as they were trying to get them. I was curious to see how much trouble I will have.