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March 31, 2007
Pre-Emptive Strike
In a new attempt to keep the dreaded voles out of the garden, I dug the dirt out of our raised beds and stapled chicken wire over the bottom. Then I put the dirt back in, taking the opportunity to add some composted manure. We'll see if this helps keep the voracious little critters away from my cukes this year!
BTW, as I was replacing the dirt into the raised bed, a vole ran from under my feet. He was too quick for me, and lived to eat another day.
As far as using plants, like onions and marigolds, to keep voles away, forget it. Voles eat onions and marigolds. We have thought about using chickens to eat the voles, but they'd probably eat the plants, too.
(Any suggestions for vole prevention are welcome!)
Posted by DJSueellen at 12:11 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Though it was hard to imagine at the time, back on February 1, we planted seeds for some of our spring crops: cabbage, kohlrabi, and Indian mustard. Here they are being hardened, about a week ago. Now that the cold spell has broken and the snow has melted, we're hoping to get them in the ground today.
Posted by DJSueellen at 12:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 30, 2007
Avid Composters
Our chickens happily convert a pile of weeds, pulled from the herb garden, into manure. We plan to compost the manure, then work it back into the soil.
Posted by DJSueellen at 06:18 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 29, 2007
Our new back yard
The previous owner of our new home here in Connecticut was an avid gardener. Now that's the snow is gone, we're starting to see what she did. Lots of green sprouts are starting to shoot up in the garden beds, and there should be an explosion of flowers and color soon.
Posted by Bob at 08:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 28, 2007
What a Difference A Day Makes
The same view a couple of days later. Spring is not quite here yet.
Posted by DJSueellen at 09:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 25, 2007
Signs of Life
Winter may or may not be over-- the National Weather Service predicts snow this week-- but our flower bulbs are springing to life. These appear to be crocuses and tulips, with inevitable weeds growing along the house. How do weeds get so hardy compared with everything else we want to grow?
Posted by DJSueellen at 04:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 14, 2007
Backyard brook
I'm prouder than a megalomaniac with a weapon of mass destruction.
(Was that the right image for a gently burbling brook, or was I overreaching?)
Posted by Sue at 03:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 12, 2007
Why did the turkey cross the road?
To eat something on the other side, of course. He and his pal slowly moseyed in front of our stopped car, giving us the feathery eyeball. Part of a flock of 8 birds. We're hoping to lure them into the backyard with chicken feed. Might scare the cats witless -- turkeys are big!
Posted by Sue at 09:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack