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

[Callender Girl]

Congratulations on the green beans, Lisa, and I hope you fought the flywheel and won, Jim.

Anjanet, congrats on canning those beans. My mom didn't can, we just froze stuff. ISU Extension is doing a canning 101 course this week, and I may attend. Although with this drought, I'm not sure I will have enough of anything to put up.

Michael and I spent yesterday morning building and hanging a gate on the south side of my deck. I'm planning to stain it to match the deck today.

The chickens are not happy about the new barrier. They took turns staring at it and crowding together against it as if they could will it to fall over. Ophelia, one of my Partridge Cochins, was the only one smart enough -- so far -- to realize she could still walk around to the ramp and come up to the door from the east. No gate there -- yet.

Since I'm staining anyway, I think I will get an extra gallon and do a second coat on the ramp and the section of the deck (it's three levels) in front of the door. With the dogs and me going in and out all day, I think the extra protection is worth it. While I didn't want to do 126 spindles and the railings, I'm pretty sure I can apply stain to a flat surface.

Cherry tomatoes are ripening like crazy, and my first Cherokee Purple (my all-time favorite tomato) is starting to turn.

 

[Callender Girl]

So, we're in the middle of a drought and I decide to stain my new gate. Guess what happens? Of course, we FINALLY got rain last night -- between a quarter and a half an inch. I dashed out, tarped the gate and all seems fine today.

Given how dry it is, maybe I should try staining or painting more stuff so we can get more rain?!

 

[WIchickMama]

Of course that happened!

We haven't gotten rain for days, and it doesn't seem like we will be getting any soon. Highs to climb back into the 90s this weekend, but 58 sure did feel nice this morning.

Working on updating/changing the chicken's roosting ladder today to allow for more room in the coop. 2-3 days until chicks hatch-trying to be as hands off as possible but I have had to cage off her nesting box in the morning til about 1 pm or so as I have one hen that just won't lay anywhere else! So frustrating. Building a bit higher lip to the box today too, so no chicks fall out. Hopefully I can shut off the coop for the day when they hatch and keep the others out until she moves them to the floor.

Hope you are all doing well.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Got enough green beans yesterday to freeze 2 quarts. Note to self; no more Wal-Mart freezer bags. One opened up on my way down to the basement freezer and I left a trail of beans. Lots of swearing followed.

Not liking the heat coming back next week. I guess it is August. Generally hot and dry. Hope not this year.

 

[jvls1942]

the mower starts only if I use starting fluid. but it doesn't seem to be getting gas. tomorrow I am going to take the carb off and take it apart. shouldn't have to do that with a brand new carb, should I ??
farmers would be proud to have hay like my lawn. we can mow about every 4 or 5 days.
Annie is a trooper for keeping it mowed.

 

[Callender Girl]

If Annie likes to mow, she would be bored silly here. I mowed on the 14th, when my sister was visiting, and I don't think the grass has grown at all since then. And, it's still plenty brown and crunchy.

I admire your persistence in fighting that mower, Jim. Show it who's boss!

 

[jvls1942]

If Annie likes to mow, she would be bored silly here. I mowed on the 14th, when my sister was visiting, and I don't think the grass has grown at all since then. And, it's still plenty brown and crunchy.

I admire your persistence in fighting that mower, Jim. Show it who's boss!

I don't know if Annie likes to mow. but she keeps doing a section each day. We have lots of lawn. I cut it as high as the mower setting will go. It has never turned brown .
I wonder if persistence is a virtue or a curse ??

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We cut ours every 5-6 days. Take it pretty short too. It just keeps growing. It's tough Wisconsin grass. Been getting enough rain this year so it hasn't gotten dry and crispy around the edges. So we keep mowing. Good luck on your mower Jim. Hope you figure it out.

 

[wyoDreamer]

DH and I spent all day yesterday mowing. He put the new belt on the mower deck and mowed the hillside behind the barn - the stuff at the bottom of the hill was about 10" high and had Queen Annes lace and milkweed growing in it. We really need to buy a brush mower.

I used the rider mower with the vacuum system to clean up the front yard. I hate that vacuum system - the hose is too short so I can only take right turns unless it is a long sweeping left turn. If the grass is too thick/tall/wet, it jams up and I have to stop everything and disconnect it from the mower and pull the grass out of the chute, then connect everything back up. On top of all that - it is a pull start and I have a real hard time pulling the cord right and getting it to start.

But that chore is done for 4 days. Forecast says rain tomorrow night - boo. that means mowing again on Friday.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We use a lawn sweeper @wyoDreamer . They last a few years before all the rattling breaks them down. When I was younger I'd rake up the piles. Seems crazy now. Seems summer is just mowing and more mowing.