What did you do in the garden today?

They want warm nights over 70 and soil temperature of at least that. Below that they stunt and start to fight nutrient issues and disease. At 40 they really start to suffer.
They were only outside for those two really warm days (and I brought them in at night because I don't trust the wildlife to not kill them on accident or on purpose). Other than that, they've been inside under grow lights.... maybe they got confused and are protesting being stuck inside!
Noooo! Summer sure swooped down quickly. I don't appreciate temperatures in the 90s, lol. It's too hot for this girl. 😆
I like your new picture!
 
I had to cover the fig tree last night, not sure if we actually got frost or not but it was close.

i saw a couple flowers on strawberries, which is weird since they’re June bearing. I’ll blame our lack of winter.

most of my EWO did not come back. I have 2 plants left of probably 20. I think I will call it quits with them an repurpose that bed next year. Weird since we didn’t have a winter, I know lots of you grow them fine through winter. 🤷‍♀️
 
Also, after the corn reached a certain age, fertilizing the soil prevents the kernels from growing.
We were taught to fertilizer corn plants in my agriculture class.

Corn is usually fertilized during planting, then again 4 weeks later. The first fertilization supplies all the phosphorus and potassium needed, and half of the nitrogen needed. The second application supplies more nitrogen. Corn can be fertilized all at once, but that may negatively impact the soil and harvest. https://northernhomesteading.com/index.php/2022/12/17/when-to-fertilize-corn-best-practices-and-methods/#:~:text=Corn is usually fertilized during planting, then again,that may negatively impact the soil and harvest.
 
Yesterday while I was watering my plants, I bumped into a Brads Atomic Grape tomato plant and an unripe tomato fell off. I was surprised to see that it was about the size they start to ripen. Although the TYLCV tomato virus is running rampant in my yard, I might still be able to taste these exotic tomatoes.

I have about 15 TYLCV resistant tomato varieties planted , but left the infected plants, so I could taste them.

I already got tired of eating squash, so I made Kim Chee with these to preserve them. I pick them young, so I don't have to take out the seeds.

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That is a great idea!
 
Some frost damage on wisteria, Japanese walnut and grapes. Pics of cuttings mulberry has roots and silver maple has callous tissue.
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Weather is cold, wet or overcast, and windy....basically yuck for late April.

So , instead, here are some chick pics.

In the bantam brooder. This is an old dryer drum propped on bricks with the heat lamp suspended.
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Bantam venturing out and getting food and water.
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The other chicks - regular size egg layers. High production breed. Although the tall stance of the one could be suspicious, At them moment the pic was taken, they saw me, AND were being clucked at by a very irritated hen on the other side of the fence.
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Too many eggs, so scrambled eggs and leftover peas for the regular chickens. The Silver Spangled male is 8 months old. The Silver laced Wyandotte eating from the pan is 5 years old - part of our original flock. Notice the two goats in the background watching the action!
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Other side of the run - they got a pan of their own bc the higher ranking ones would take it all if not for 2 pans.
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My bread came out perfect today, but its not always like that, so I recorded the steps to help me remember what I did right this time.

1) Taste: 1tsp sugar, 1/2tsp salt.

2) Moisture: 1cup water, 3 cup flour.

3) Oil: 1TBS to grease the bowl after dough is made.

4) Yeast: 1tsp

5) Dough: Should be slightly sticky, but not stuck to bowl while tumbling.

6) Resting: 1 hour covered.

7) Kneading: Did not use any flour, worked it into a lump free ball. When the dough first came out of the bowl it was fluffy and turned firm after kneading into ball. I think this may be the key for it to hold its round shape.

8) Proofing: 90F for 30 minutes

9) Baking: Breville Smart Oven 325F for 20 minutes.

10) Rest cooked Round Bread for 10 minutes covered with towel before serving. Top color of bread should be golden, not black. Lightly flavored for salted butter.

Note: While the dough was mixing I had to add less than 1/8 cup of water until all the flour came off the sides of the bowl and formed a free tumbling slightly sticky dough.
 
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Good afternoon gardeners. I got the remaining blueberry bushes planted. I moved some of the little logs around to line the path, then started laying more logs to outline the large new garden bed. Still so much to do. I had planned to bathe the dogs today but that will have to wait. I’m suffering with bug bites right now. The little black gnats have been attacking me around the eyes and I got a nasty tick bite the other day. I’m seeing my doctor on Thursday afternoon. I need to get to the grocery store and pick up some essentials. But I’m still hoping to get more work done on the slope, and put the grape arbors together. Still cool here just below 60F but we’ve had quite a bit of sun today. The peas are still looking good and I think the carrots may be starting to come up. I’m hoping to see signs of the onions soon. Fingers crossed 🤞
 

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