Sunlight. First Time Since March 7

Darned friggin' depressing when trying to get seeds going. Rain here, rain there. I've been accustomed of late  telling the folks at the Weather Channel to f--- off. Yea that's a heavy F word, not like me really. Maybe things are bound to change. One thing is clear, that groundhog in PA was on target. It has been six more weeks of winter. Today is the first day I've actually had the back door open in the afternoon.

So what's new? Daffodils about town are in full bloom. Mine are trying. Must be the time I put 'em in the ground that's causing the delay? They look happier with some good sun today. Shown in the background are some Tulips raising their heads.

Down by the east pathway. Looks like I don't need the markers anymore.

I have oodles of Crocus here and there but only one lone flower.

Moving to the west side of the house I finally finished this garden. Ready to go for something come late April. I decided to cut down a few skinny Poplar trees for the border. It was supposed to be a raised garden area, but I got tired of bringing in more dirt. It's kind of raised. Good soil! Mulch, great black cow dung, and that other stuff from Canada...

And the hoop houses. Got some seed planted about 10 days ago in one. Lotta good that did with clouds and low temps. Oh well, at least I'm about 6-8 weeks ahead of just tossing it in the soil after the "last frost," providing winter does not continue.

Almost forgot these buggers. Filled with low growing stuff like Forget Me Not, Allyssum, Lobelia. Yellows, white, blues...purplish.

Oh, the Dianthus are flowering. They must like that cow crap too!

It should be an interesting spring.

Conestoga Wagons Train Stuck In Mud

Or that's what it will almost look like once I finish the hoop gardens. Windy weather has prevented the completion. Windy? I thought you didn't get wind down there in that valley? When it blows big time in the area I get some of it, but too much to try wrapping plastic around the hoops. Besides I have other stuff to take care of.

Finally got some cow crappings. I wish I had taken the camera along. I was referred to another dairy farm (started in 1840 or so the sign says) in a gorgeous valley setting. Homer Wright Road, about eight miles from home. They had oodles of wonderful stuff to enrich the gardens around here. For twelve bucks a scoop, I consider it a good deal, but I had to hand shovel it in the back of the truck. Heavy crap indeed. I was plum tuckered out, but not being in shape with all this cold weather has much to do with it.

I'll take up the offer of having it delivered when I need more. Two yards for $45 delivered by Yolando. I don't think he's a native. There were plenty of those guys around on the farm. Story has it the weather may get into the 60's this weekend. Yea, I keep looking and looking for warmer weather...but. Last March about this time there were for four straight days over 70 degrees...topping out at 82 one day.

More seeds on the way.  I won't be able to get all of them under the hoops, as I figure I have only 78 square feet to work with. Each little greenhouse measures 4 foot by 6 foot. If all goes well I may just do this up on top of the hill next year on a larger scale by clearing out some trees. Need firewood anyway.

Seeds ordered:

I got a case of click here for more..they're inexpensive. Now I have doubts if I can grow Begonias.


Swallowtail Gardens

IMPATIENS, XTREME WHITE 100 SEEDS
IMPATIENS, TEMPO WHITE 100 SEEDS
IMPATIENS, XTREME SALMON 100 SEEDS
ASTILBE, SHOWSTAR 25
BEGONIA, ILLUMINATION PEACHES 'N CREAM 25 PELETTED SEEDS
BEGONIA, GO GO SALMON 100 PELETTED SEEDS
BEGONIA, GO GO CHERRY 100 PELETTED SEEDS
SWEET PEA, MAMMOTH NAVY BLUE 50
SWEET PEA, FIREBRAND 50

Previous Order (Feb 25) From TM Seeds. Lousy service so far...no word

GRASSES ANEMANTHELE LESSONIANA
AQUILEGIA YELLOW STAR
COSMOS BIPPINATUS RUBENZA
DELOSPERMA STARDUST
SWEET WILLIAM SOOTY- black flowers!!
DIANTHUS MICROCHIPS
GRASSES: PANICUM VIRGATUM
HOLLYHOCK ROSEA HALO WHITE
LOBELIA QUEEN VICTORIA
VERBENA ST GEORGE

Hoop Garden

I started this about a week ago when temps were getting pleasant enough to plow through some soil. That didn't last long...frozen again. So today I thought best to try and bring the soil temps up for spring seed planting by covering with plastic. I have about 15 varieties either bought from TM seeds or the local Lowes. I had plans to get it going by March 1, but that ain't too far off. The soil underneath has been turned over; just needs some cow crappins and some decent top soil mix

There will be three hoops. Each measuring four foot by six foot and will be covered with 6 mil plastic visqueen. The area will get direct sun from 9AM until about 4PM until the leaves begin to form on the trees. That happens about the first or second week of May. Also about the time the last frost occurs. I should say the latest period for frost. I think I found an average date somewhere around April 20-25.

Hopefully by that time healthy little plants will be ready for replanting here and there.  The area is also hidden from winds. The entire area is really, protected by hills on all sides except for the west. For the last week I lost interest, but now...I'm getting there again.

White Oxalis /green (shamrock flowers)  bulbs on the way as well. 250 of them to be planted below the fence along the driveway and into some shade. Information obtained says if planted in mid March there should be some flowering around June 1.

Daffodils trying....

Tulip bulbs popping through where the soil isn't frozen...

And the only flowering plants around...Violas. I may make an effort to have a mass planting this fall from seed...along with some other winter flowers. 

Chimney Fire. Yikes!

Or that's what the chimney sweep dudes tell me. About two weeks ago I had noticed it became a little smokey inside. Then one day I started a fire, went outdoors for ten minutes, returned and smoke was pouring out the seams in the chimney pipe. That was enough. At least the fire extinguisher worked. Not that I needed it, but did have to put the small fire out and air out the inside with 20 degree temps looming outside.

So today I get a visit from the chimney dudes. Getting tired of that cold heat, plus the power bill was near $200 last month for a small 1100 square feet. It seems burning wet wood (I knew that) and moisture build up with the flue closed to get a longer burn was a good recipe for massive creosote buildup in the angled portions of the chimney pipe.

"Some of the pipe may be warped..." mentioned one guy. Today's rainy weather prevents them from getting on the roof for a full inspection. A warped pipe means a weaker pipe...I guess. It's not noticeable from inside or out, but I believe they said it's double insulated or similar to oil cargo ships that have two hulls.  Added protection.

"So I guess that rules out getting it cranked up until you come back?"

The answer was.."if it was mine I'd get it going."

I'm still thinking, but hey they're the pros. The wood is much drier now, or in a range woodheat.org considers good.

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