chores

What’s Up? Dock!

– Posted in: Miscellaneous

From this space, roughly five feet wide by six feet deep . . . . . . I dug out all these dock roots (that's a 15-inch ruler) . . . plus this wagon full of rocks . . .plus these additional weed roots, mostly goldenrod This time of year, when the soil is saturated [...]

March is Going Out Like a Lamb

– Posted in: Garden chores, Weather

After the miserable snowy weather in the middle of March the month has made a dramatic turn for the better in these last few days. It started on Sunday the 28th which dawned clear and sunny. The day followed in the steps of the morning and Monday kept up the same and today as well. [...]

Getting Ready for Winter

– Posted in: Garden chores

Well, after that killing freeze we've had some nice warm days (and nights). I brought my rosemary in anyway because I don't trust myself to remember to bring it in for next spell of cold nights. And I dug the Bishop of Llandoff dahlia bulbs my sister had given me, mostly because Talitha really enjoyed [...]

Triage Weeding

– Posted in: Garden chores
Cobrahead inserted under weeds

As I've mentioned already, I'm perpetually behind on my weeding. Really behind. I decided I'd share my techniques with all of you, in case you find yourself up against a flower bed that's really been let go too long. Make sure the bed is moist, either from recent rainfall or from supplemental irrigation. Set aside [...]

Decoy weather: Unseasonably mild

– Posted in: Miscellaneous

Decoy weather--an apt term. Somehow, once October is over, it's hard to call it Indian Summer anymore. I have noticed around here that we consistently have one day in the first week of November that is warm and sunny. I always give the kids the day off from school then and have a general clean [...]

Planting prima donna peonies

– Posted in: How-to, Peonies, Plant info

The peonies from Reath's came on Monday the 7th, but because of various commitments I couldn't plant them until Thursday. They came wrapped in plastic with wood shavings to keep them damp, and then the whole shebang was packed in straw or hay--the first time I ever saw that used as a shipping material. I [...]

Prepare ye for frost

– Posted in: How-to

You were smart to bring them in. You don't want the roots to freeze. Once they are in the ground, I would try to protect the tops for about a week to let them settle in. (The traditional vegetable garden protection is bed sheets from the house. You could also use the pot they just [...]

Planting perennials in autumn

– Posted in: Miscellaneous

What's up with perennials? I brought them in because of frost warnings. Are they okay if I put them in the ground today? I think I am going to turn my cornfield into a giant nursery bed and just put stuff in the ground. When can I move stuff? Can I move them until the [...]

Weeding

– Posted in: Miscellaneous

I weeded half the asparagus bed yesterday. It hadn't been weeded at all this season because of my hospital stay and then Deirdre being born, and since it hadn't been weeded it was never mulched. The asparagus seem to be doing okay despite the neglect, although some are leaning way over, which makes me think [...]