tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45100678270827753632024-02-19T06:18:53.336-06:00North Dakota GardenKeeping a log of my zone 4 garden and what I learn.ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-34989194240327899332009-11-28T11:01:00.006-06:002009-11-28T11:32:41.606-06:00Fall Survivors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjAIRXVNTRRS9T5TvgxQpvJie__kQuRGnCgPp_9_asHxy8qBktiP60Jm0D3b7eP6vJRFRGUbs4g3s43q0RgH3YaFRC62XnLG-2CSwwNyg1IFekar6ArNDI6V965KetVG5U-FQXt3HhJGE/s1600/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjAIRXVNTRRS9T5TvgxQpvJie__kQuRGnCgPp_9_asHxy8qBktiP60Jm0D3b7eP6vJRFRGUbs4g3s43q0RgH3YaFRC62XnLG-2CSwwNyg1IFekar6ArNDI6V965KetVG5U-FQXt3HhJGE/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409201444205955538" border="0" /></a><br />(Kale in late November)<br /><br />I decided it was time to talk about the plants that are still surviving in our garden. This has been an above average November, so I'm sure things look better they would in other years. So far we have had most nights freezing, but only a few in the teens (F).<br /><br />Above, the kale hasn't been phased yet by the cool weather. In fact, it is probably tasting it's best with nightly frosts.<br /><br />Some common thyme we planted from seed seems to be alive above ground still. We will see if it can come back next year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFWMhStu3Vb4fcLhMIrFy7FJGf5RF-SOc6UmutFPl0s9DNDa6o22ZEDroqU7zhjqXG6z2v0Wrb6SV5O4qKnOebil9vcOS84d9sUUPyYjzLfNa73GyC698k8h-nuGc4LZ7MuWq7qdGtfOR/s1600/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFWMhStu3Vb4fcLhMIrFy7FJGf5RF-SOc6UmutFPl0s9DNDa6o22ZEDroqU7zhjqXG6z2v0Wrb6SV5O4qKnOebil9vcOS84d9sUUPyYjzLfNa73GyC698k8h-nuGc4LZ7MuWq7qdGtfOR/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409201439514578866" border="0" /></a><br />(Common thyme)<br /><br />I was surprised this lavender plant was still alive. It didn't really get the best growing conditions and is very small. I will try to protect it and see if it will come back. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7epVVuptDk6j6cxgECBHN4RCabfQjbUQtFzOx4Pe0bH6D-xpFK5JDIxp10M4sZrn_FpiU0cwIy_D0kg_j3oky2mRtI1uIHbiLg26HDtCazik5BmevTTNJot6GXul204OYWajXiPnhlFB2/s1600/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7epVVuptDk6j6cxgECBHN4RCabfQjbUQtFzOx4Pe0bH6D-xpFK5JDIxp10M4sZrn_FpiU0cwIy_D0kg_j3oky2mRtI1uIHbiLg26HDtCazik5BmevTTNJot6GXul204OYWajXiPnhlFB2/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409201433714358066" border="0" /></a><br />(Lavender Lady - <span style="font-style: italic;">Lavendula angustifolia</span>)<br /><br />The parsley always stays around into the late fall. This particular planting doesn't usually survive the winter, but our south side planting has come back this year and went to seed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiJb4cDgd_z_HMmCLy3RDqF5thwaVpVxqRom7-80SD3L2TsUkKAHqaJT8zPUMZkqE4qsWosZvRkUBnb83Rm0WNSn_hRwvPAqassozxpbC6oolHRa8TdTj2zaSam7IDO1JmDJsfomm2PcI/s1600/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiJb4cDgd_z_HMmCLy3RDqF5thwaVpVxqRom7-80SD3L2TsUkKAHqaJT8zPUMZkqE4qsWosZvRkUBnb83Rm0WNSn_hRwvPAqassozxpbC6oolHRa8TdTj2zaSam7IDO1JmDJsfomm2PcI/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409201432564960002" border="0" /></a><br />(Curled parsley)<br /><br />Walking onions getting their last bit of sun before the winter sleep. I think next year we want to try some potato onions as well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUolNInrzR2Fpj2OC-02N-Nq9T0VvQrbarHg3W-QDFiCa3eTBFWT2I5SzyqSrNdJ5aUzfy77PEh5VkSaNQf06_Pio7MUTocXTmykmB5gY7dMjU9eskjjaF-zsrIcFYWIQwAfCZI0mznqjB/s1600/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUolNInrzR2Fpj2OC-02N-Nq9T0VvQrbarHg3W-QDFiCa3eTBFWT2I5SzyqSrNdJ5aUzfy77PEh5VkSaNQf06_Pio7MUTocXTmykmB5gY7dMjU9eskjjaF-zsrIcFYWIQwAfCZI0mznqjB/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409201428485749746" border="0" /></a><br />("Walking" onions)<br /><br />Many leaves of strawberries are still hanging on. The plants on the north side have many red leaves -- a sure sign there have been hard frosts.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVxcdLFLdBaWNZko0Ns70zC5Dw46QeKndua7twENWVcH4eT6BwsuLD8e8RfyCMQLhfe4HO6XQebHL2CUsxKVI7bzunTvwYc081w4lU7hcHNSkQrailh7encNj_qGb0vZtX6_J4uXa3uSu/s1600/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVxcdLFLdBaWNZko0Ns70zC5Dw46QeKndua7twENWVcH4eT6BwsuLD8e8RfyCMQLhfe4HO6XQebHL2CUsxKVI7bzunTvwYc081w4lU7hcHNSkQrailh7encNj_qGb0vZtX6_J4uXa3uSu/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409201291144989042" border="0" /></a><br />(Alpine strawberry)<br /><br />Here are some parsnips we will leave in until spring. Also, in the lower right is a swiss chard that was a volunteer -- probably a dropped seed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXeS6Xuhf-o_nqgLZbszr5uQgEVA03HxdfcQPsi9zkdaH5jNBdaANjFR4u51Eg-oKpptRfmjCDkHZV3SLgfEH52jrWq2a8y1wiW4JD3S-gyCbu8iswbBVvRGwypWk2FD3hQA8CK3Js7oI/s1600/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXeS6Xuhf-o_nqgLZbszr5uQgEVA03HxdfcQPsi9zkdaH5jNBdaANjFR4u51Eg-oKpptRfmjCDkHZV3SLgfEH52jrWq2a8y1wiW4JD3S-gyCbu8iswbBVvRGwypWk2FD3hQA8CK3Js7oI/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409201283140226674" border="0" /></a><br />(Parsnips)<br /><br />I have noticed a lot of seeds growing in this mild fall. I wonder how many will actually survive and how many were just fooled.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoLJ2jjcBSLt1126egqu41vkTGDM46OSpyNvC2TCYdowBtJ2ekqltfd4dSCpn3XGrOKTPdNrecQ7MnSjFkosN-YFQzCvtL28qUTtprixnADDxsb1XBdqMqUiLDt5cWCUa4wcc6kTaYQZx/s1600/23.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoLJ2jjcBSLt1126egqu41vkTGDM46OSpyNvC2TCYdowBtJ2ekqltfd4dSCpn3XGrOKTPdNrecQ7MnSjFkosN-YFQzCvtL28qUTtprixnADDxsb1XBdqMqUiLDt5cWCUa4wcc6kTaYQZx/s320/23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409201284620562786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I like the fact that the heuchera never looses its color. Even with the leaves are dead and dried it will look like this.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVVpaZdkiMUtZ_rIQMnWz0pfSa-gKTP9GFZXCRmBr3ZUxqtFgn74gjkTzT7PM7MW2KatFvMvJIVkyZ6TM29SPkhiS1EKz0vvmWLMXAq0Wj4nv0XgHoH6ubj9IScpQEZeWJkvF1cB41rSK/s1600/24.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVVpaZdkiMUtZ_rIQMnWz0pfSa-gKTP9GFZXCRmBr3ZUxqtFgn74gjkTzT7PM7MW2KatFvMvJIVkyZ6TM29SPkhiS1EKz0vvmWLMXAq0Wj4nv0XgHoH6ubj9IScpQEZeWJkvF1cB41rSK/s320/24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409201278084803202" border="0" /></a><br />(heuchera)<br /><br />There are even a couple flowers still blooming. This viola waited until the canopy of dill died before spreading its own leaves. (Actually you might spot the dill seedlings in the photo.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-O5V7Zqs3RBafnDAQZYSsIxMc9UPfxbbnM29_nN4eSeFF9q9nePAgRaQ5EkVPyReK1bH_1e-0cEl3zKuerLqGmWmHD65E7IiHDHvTtfD3XsFYokKLuk6DUwmTuO2tqexvqGJjFyh7feDZ/s1600/25.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-O5V7Zqs3RBafnDAQZYSsIxMc9UPfxbbnM29_nN4eSeFF9q9nePAgRaQ5EkVPyReK1bH_1e-0cEl3zKuerLqGmWmHD65E7IiHDHvTtfD3XsFYokKLuk6DUwmTuO2tqexvqGJjFyh7feDZ/s320/25.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409201273925566274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Not sure what these little flowers are, but they are hardy -- probably a weed in someone's book. For us it is in a wildflower bed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq-op4DloWJ98QMQ_aNRI4yRuxgDf-r8kmYJbROetLiCxCn8jqaJTxJotxkmaFixqQKAJdxZSJeM4w0ZcfWxUwn0ExuzRbGtApjGidCXmskE4tTKUQJ4ATuUAcV3kpHoQgWGGGpW9qTDC/s1600/31.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq-op4DloWJ98QMQ_aNRI4yRuxgDf-r8kmYJbROetLiCxCn8jqaJTxJotxkmaFixqQKAJdxZSJeM4w0ZcfWxUwn0ExuzRbGtApjGidCXmskE4tTKUQJ4ATuUAcV3kpHoQgWGGGpW9qTDC/s320/31.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409201020036551842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We still have green grass, but the vegetable beds are ready for winter.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2shnXxpo9FcL1Y2pl6DYrMNJaOO6vuSsnMix-6HIFoOPmK8rUnx5QjbVDvaYr6wVMFMm11MwJ8RMYr2dsLm2EGgxuH-8WJ2YutylLjCnsGSYL3JL4dhYtv9Tsk4hSodosKJh-VRJLBte/s1600/32.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2shnXxpo9FcL1Y2pl6DYrMNJaOO6vuSsnMix-6HIFoOPmK8rUnx5QjbVDvaYr6wVMFMm11MwJ8RMYr2dsLm2EGgxuH-8WJ2YutylLjCnsGSYL3JL4dhYtv9Tsk4hSodosKJh-VRJLBte/s320/32.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409201026391932066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A number of plants are done for the winter like this rhubarb.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJKNqu9WemaV6xLMsnRfjNTCqpJMh45m25aFrtNkVYrcB2P4um6ESsdQ1n8qnrKzkrp9q8Q2cZVuA7wLU8JEe7XFwf2k7w4gM2a07Mo4WkB48Ups1mCVGgbkMcF2b_4ElBISCmfEm-Df9/s1600/34.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJKNqu9WemaV6xLMsnRfjNTCqpJMh45m25aFrtNkVYrcB2P4um6ESsdQ1n8qnrKzkrp9q8Q2cZVuA7wLU8JEe7XFwf2k7w4gM2a07Mo4WkB48Ups1mCVGgbkMcF2b_4ElBISCmfEm-Df9/s320/34.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409201029692260034" border="0" /></a><br />(Rhubarb)<br /><br />A (late) Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-67127782323818479972009-10-14T21:42:00.007-05:002009-10-15T22:49:24.599-05:00Our Sunchokes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHY3dM1bqKGmf6UV5hp-tWV6ZENr3_-0h69kz8WnDJvX9XnkVVJ74ETBjg7GLo6Ytsg2OAuGCTGO_MNndIgMLQZLrfF1Pc-993FjXdbbVuZvefHV8WSLGwZUyhmmvo2d6jYgHVK4YAWQP/s1600-h/33.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHY3dM1bqKGmf6UV5hp-tWV6ZENr3_-0h69kz8WnDJvX9XnkVVJ74ETBjg7GLo6Ytsg2OAuGCTGO_MNndIgMLQZLrfF1Pc-993FjXdbbVuZvefHV8WSLGwZUyhmmvo2d6jYgHVK4YAWQP/s320/33.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026460410497746" border="0" /></a><br />This past week has brought us some cold days. Our first frost, a hard frost, snow, and low temperature down around 17 F. There are rumors of some warm weather on the weekend -- maybe a chance to do some clean-up. At least the snow didn't stay yet.<br /><br />This post is really a year-end review of our sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes / <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Helianthus tuberosus</span></span>). This is our first year with this plant of the sunflower genus. We planted tubers in mid-May as soon as we got them. Over the season they grew 9 feet tall, provided wonderful flowers, and have yielded an abundance of edible tubers. On to the details...<br /><br />We planted 1 lb of tubers on 5/13/2009; cut into sections to make five plants.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9t0wLl6_d7Q3V_rCZXJFgTsfdhc8rKnTSXOer6QHWYh2LStw7RfHYvdkJ_2Xd_RYc3odj0vvE3F_Fe_N4K0iLDtQKEi86cFXTGj47Y3IJuw3TLblmRCgcalWr67vOibXVfsbQJACDyj5/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9t0wLl6_d7Q3V_rCZXJFgTsfdhc8rKnTSXOer6QHWYh2LStw7RfHYvdkJ_2Xd_RYc3odj0vvE3F_Fe_N4K0iLDtQKEi86cFXTGj47Y3IJuw3TLblmRCgcalWr67vOibXVfsbQJACDyj5/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026906844084978" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="font-style: italic;">Helianthus tuberosus</span>: sunchoke seed tubers)</span><br /><br />A suitable site was found away from other beds -- just in case they spread. The first shoots appeared early June after about 25 days. Next year they should be much earlier as the native stands (in the ground since last fall) seem to have emerged a month sooner.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLJqxjo0OjHEx3CxRoJ9YxE5SINlBxPzRtweIAcNUNZvciH84VRmHtpBBh-39uQeUhjGuLnbwROjyqSdwlE6ZhUwQMPpoyeY9NnJ6lmQIXS0x_-e8ZumzNrtW9xIqyZLo3nfBCmNbY-rR/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLJqxjo0OjHEx3CxRoJ9YxE5SINlBxPzRtweIAcNUNZvciH84VRmHtpBBh-39uQeUhjGuLnbwROjyqSdwlE6ZhUwQMPpoyeY9NnJ6lmQIXS0x_-e8ZumzNrtW9xIqyZLo3nfBCmNbY-rR/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026899389500626" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cPpSpzDoJlK1avfk3FcfSr5jzjkxlasQCIUL0FNecZmrqPXCEstofES9CEI7Cbl4R8VmGohozfG3AzLGDAfpWGAfDPiLQUz6BfgqKrjiTeTxvM5aqekhmeOXGk7urqGf48R7NKo7pfAh/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cPpSpzDoJlK1avfk3FcfSr5jzjkxlasQCIUL0FNecZmrqPXCEstofES9CEI7Cbl4R8VmGohozfG3AzLGDAfpWGAfDPiLQUz6BfgqKrjiTeTxvM5aqekhmeOXGk7urqGf48R7NKo7pfAh/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026891714679234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>A 5x2' bed; First sprouts June 7)</span><br /><br />It was a cool spring, but the plants grew to 1' after 40 days.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw8ETHOZz5malxj7Gxog7qyl2r1s50CqHDTEm_3Ot_nOD0qAzmbVX4UB0ZOguclcb1I4Fn2Pg903zssMQ3xPZTw7XT7L2J8_qhVlXD7Spyz1TluMGdJZZ-t1aZ4rEBf94slTnt9ZYlSxc/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw8ETHOZz5malxj7Gxog7qyl2r1s50CqHDTEm_3Ot_nOD0qAzmbVX4UB0ZOguclcb1I4Fn2Pg903zssMQ3xPZTw7XT7L2J8_qhVlXD7Spyz1TluMGdJZZ-t1aZ4rEBf94slTnt9ZYlSxc/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026872958439170" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdp9lmhkCy6hmR04FlnKLx-OWk3BrNgQFC3EcborhMmSR8MfkyXNMAsKCeM4s0XWkecVBaD3VpiWtnbTQjnNh9Rl3yqcqBqZjtPRIgtP-Wz4A0G7ylDeyDSj04xHunrrCQd9SsFIaVSloH/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdp9lmhkCy6hmR04FlnKLx-OWk3BrNgQFC3EcborhMmSR8MfkyXNMAsKCeM4s0XWkecVBaD3VpiWtnbTQjnNh9Rl3yqcqBqZjtPRIgtP-Wz4A0G7ylDeyDSj04xHunrrCQd9SsFIaVSloH/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026881220379362" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Growing up June 22)<br /><br /></span>Early July the plants where a foot taller...reaching Dakota dog height.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGTsaCn5oSLxDyXIi3SZy9v5fxHuRNBC8uhhalRN1pQYloCLzYxG0IKEav1_EEF4NImU0nLYjPB8WqMnHgl88joQubNkYiE2EhLwUuP_QaihOFkXdfCrmTBd8RJDDtnLZXZ_af6Wi9C_7/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGTsaCn5oSLxDyXIi3SZy9v5fxHuRNBC8uhhalRN1pQYloCLzYxG0IKEav1_EEF4NImU0nLYjPB8WqMnHgl88joQubNkYiE2EhLwUuP_QaihOFkXdfCrmTBd8RJDDtnLZXZ_af6Wi9C_7/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026711246194994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Sunchokes at least 2' by July 10)</span><br /><br />By August they were forming a nice screen at 4 feet. They were as tall as our chain-link fence.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kANuUfkI8FtegQ6nyk0bcJzIk_JtiiK0dVOUY2z7n7IrJV7aQtiOPQLz1mI1NNggrqJKmidDCxBMVaSprX_a2eqWSEtIpj9T-ymWrme8HW_rBmwqecNUSnl1hBS2NsHqf6XgYBhY3xBz/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kANuUfkI8FtegQ6nyk0bcJzIk_JtiiK0dVOUY2z7n7IrJV7aQtiOPQLz1mI1NNggrqJKmidDCxBMVaSprX_a2eqWSEtIpj9T-ymWrme8HW_rBmwqecNUSnl1hBS2NsHqf6XgYBhY3xBz/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026702793573090" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Climbing to 4' - August 9)<br /><br /></span>Two more feet were gained by September (5-6' total).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHIdJr1jnSdtaTjQDWrPmIpiMjEDuOQ87584H8m6tr8siNG0e2uIWpKQqIneOW-iHvhyphenhyphenwRODWeohJenqHKGd41sRdGNx8yOZCBl8anch1woM2Hh5oi-MY66RKEBT0m3Sv6LFIhLAPf7T8/s1600-h/23.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHIdJr1jnSdtaTjQDWrPmIpiMjEDuOQ87584H8m6tr8siNG0e2uIWpKQqIneOW-iHvhyphenhyphenwRODWeohJenqHKGd41sRdGNx8yOZCBl8anch1woM2Hh5oi-MY66RKEBT0m3Sv6LFIhLAPf7T8/s320/23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026693431333170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Sunchokes - September 5)</span><br /><br />Early to mid-September flower buds were forming at about 115 days. I was excited that we would have a chance for flowers. The sunchokes in the park were<a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/09/still-here.html"> already in full bloom</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2a6UmAbdG5_7POz0FTy_rxtDidUM1gg1VoQgdnX2jn5YlpkxNdoAEaEi5aaEua20uZmgHYSPOIZ1IcnO1h9s5d8-0J8W9GBRGlZJgkq41WZWmyhjSMW0s_5UxF72MjD2O0RThwooWWfAn/s1600-h/24.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2a6UmAbdG5_7POz0FTy_rxtDidUM1gg1VoQgdnX2jn5YlpkxNdoAEaEi5aaEua20uZmgHYSPOIZ1IcnO1h9s5d8-0J8W9GBRGlZJgkq41WZWmyhjSMW0s_5UxF72MjD2O0RThwooWWfAn/s320/24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026684055418754" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Buds on September 13)</span><br /><br />Mid-September the plants were towering at 7-8 feet. That shade was a favorite resting spot for Dakota...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0IcSLPkJ8w_v0IbFP8uW1X-1eQp4vXfPEd4G5k8Y8JhooM8S7yuU7ZKBlhj6qYuxfT_DWte4DwrPsdSW3TQDdnwytN_v_6Fy4d2JJZ0JA5nhRPyLzWKdK0QdJ3O5WuS6JD2uOjT9EE8z/s1600-h/25.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0IcSLPkJ8w_v0IbFP8uW1X-1eQp4vXfPEd4G5k8Y8JhooM8S7yuU7ZKBlhj6qYuxfT_DWte4DwrPsdSW3TQDdnwytN_v_6Fy4d2JJZ0JA5nhRPyLzWKdK0QdJ3O5WuS6JD2uOjT9EE8z/s320/25.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026676725560786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Sunchokes 8' - 9/13/2009)</span><br /><br />In fact, she decided to dig a little and exposed some tubers near the surface under the grass mulch.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX7csYzo3Oa5njJA4tFbFd0qXUlJoh0OuZiD8Gvopus9hYZ9UBEB0JQZdsKD6012TwPXIvt_2mOSAqK3X62YAerT3OaeaPWnlpTFFk2A9XKHKuWR2-nX7ujLSsCdjn4J1mbMQPh8qI7Iw/s1600-h/31.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX7csYzo3Oa5njJA4tFbFd0qXUlJoh0OuZiD8Gvopus9hYZ9UBEB0JQZdsKD6012TwPXIvt_2mOSAqK3X62YAerT3OaeaPWnlpTFFk2A9XKHKuWR2-nX7ujLSsCdjn4J1mbMQPh8qI7Iw/s320/31.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026481525029218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Sunchoke tubers near the surface)</span><br /><br />Later in September the plants peaked in height ranging from 7.5 to 9 feet tall. They finally began to flower after 131 days. Again, I expect next year they will flower a month sooner.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gYpNKRNHugq_pdbRI8uDYMbwV76zGKnF6s6Agehz25j2CQMnQtzLAShq5wpyYzel5mdRP8zkYjD6JCrhpgTSlDbdKCuMUVcSkun_vEW59zfT1TtUzZxn3CA_AW7X11n9kWpS63Le-PfH/s1600-h/32.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gYpNKRNHugq_pdbRI8uDYMbwV76zGKnF6s6Agehz25j2CQMnQtzLAShq5wpyYzel5mdRP8zkYjD6JCrhpgTSlDbdKCuMUVcSkun_vEW59zfT1TtUzZxn3CA_AW7X11n9kWpS63Le-PfH/s320/32.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026471771229858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Sunchoke flowers - September 26)</span><br /><br />We had a great display of the plants in near full bloom at the start of October. The plants shut down after a hard frost around 10/10/2009. I'll have to post a picture of the plants after hard this hard freeze.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxw44n_759LXnXmw42F3ucUdtoKRdldmJuWftO7X7Ww-7e-R8rLVwCdqftJioXLLiww-N8o69GZAGcLF2a1C0WGIwJO57RJsx2zVKYJ2gLMuzOt0fmNjFDk1g8bPxrrsCQw-c1WBCebut/s1600-h/34.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxw44n_759LXnXmw42F3ucUdtoKRdldmJuWftO7X7Ww-7e-R8rLVwCdqftJioXLLiww-N8o69GZAGcLF2a1C0WGIwJO57RJsx2zVKYJ2gLMuzOt0fmNjFDk1g8bPxrrsCQw-c1WBCebut/s320/34.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026447895553314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>October 6)</span><br /><br />After the frost I harvested 2 of 5 plants. We will save the others a little longer and come up with some storage options. We will place a few tubers right back in for next years crop. I did notice that maybe our ground was a bit too hard as the tubers were in a very tight block. Conveniently contained, but hard to separate. We will see next year if this was due to soil or the variety (after digging the soil should be much looser next year).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbOuhVvnSk5Q_VbgvCn2yQJms-gwVjOh33-mf6Yp1qVY5I1CNon6KMb3-14rJlKigTTasnulz7JJRSxCS1HNKPpHAZMI1pRFzO6cma8bvZPR7mKFANbhpYmhjRw5iTkES2Qi5Ww7IIWAg/s1600-h/35.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbOuhVvnSk5Q_VbgvCn2yQJms-gwVjOh33-mf6Yp1qVY5I1CNon6KMb3-14rJlKigTTasnulz7JJRSxCS1HNKPpHAZMI1pRFzO6cma8bvZPR7mKFANbhpYmhjRw5iTkES2Qi5Ww7IIWAg/s320/35.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026443812344194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Sunchokes lifted from ground - 10/11/2009)</span><br /><br />Those 2 plants gave 9 lb 13.2 oz of tubers....that's a yield ratio of 24.56:1 based on 1 lb planted! Compare that with our 5 lb of potatoes that yielded 31.31 lb for a ratio of 6.26:1. That's also not considering that the sunchokes took maybe half the space of the potatoes and no additional water or maintenance.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWG1W6o4mIUmOVP2XQZEiJOoZJh7_8np97MgjWUE0qlq5qRiiEMPEj4ukxgCeAZu9o7JWB413rjm6O_CiuRTqrhNf4ZDwVajJpuEzsjnwBEDHlRlgGQPI1LrTsDzA7rhz4Q0CHMu6sPnob/s1600-h/41.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWG1W6o4mIUmOVP2XQZEiJOoZJh7_8np97MgjWUE0qlq5qRiiEMPEj4ukxgCeAZu9o7JWB413rjm6O_CiuRTqrhNf4ZDwVajJpuEzsjnwBEDHlRlgGQPI1LrTsDzA7rhz4Q0CHMu6sPnob/s320/41.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026229672044434" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Half bucket of sunchoke tubers)<br /><br /></span>As a food, the tubers have tasted great so far. They have a similar number of calories as potatoes from what I could find. We haven't been too creative yet...tried boiled, microwaved, and baked and fairly plain with just some butter and salt they have a potato-like flavor. I tried baking some as chips and noticed that the skin seems to have more sugar than potatoes and can caramelize and burn (didn't taste so good). So for chips I still like the potatoes, but we have a lot more to experiment with.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggee3Mo00x4GvKJJ-E3grmwZETqFAFjtdE0mhaFh9AyJXtIEU2tpdXCXhPhuPVrTS90qMr0cCC7m0kmpnH91u6wFejJXO5NXyDTQX9SmabPKx3mUjASjkmOQhiC-69ylFtAOSJUcEim0Z0/s1600-h/42.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggee3Mo00x4GvKJJ-E3grmwZETqFAFjtdE0mhaFh9AyJXtIEU2tpdXCXhPhuPVrTS90qMr0cCC7m0kmpnH91u6wFejJXO5NXyDTQX9SmabPKx3mUjASjkmOQhiC-69ylFtAOSJUcEim0Z0/s320/42.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393026225621831602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Clean tuber)</span><br /><br />That's it. A fun experiment for the year and a plant we will keep forever in the garden....not that we likely have a choice :-)ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-61185207869581196532009-09-18T20:34:00.004-05:002009-09-18T20:54:33.506-05:00Evening Show<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XOwgS1bpHxjJBbE5wp2gmHA8ggcgvGoAWk7osq9GL0IhBgMVPOIyNR9dsGj723Bbp2amipl5H18yx1qWj9o7vXBIdUR6z3HMsC_xu-k1OhqDpc0n20zv_89zfo0MFAbpyTFZGvN29YeQ/s1600-h/11_primrose.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XOwgS1bpHxjJBbE5wp2gmHA8ggcgvGoAWk7osq9GL0IhBgMVPOIyNR9dsGj723Bbp2amipl5H18yx1qWj9o7vXBIdUR6z3HMsC_xu-k1OhqDpc0n20zv_89zfo0MFAbpyTFZGvN29YeQ/s320/11_primrose.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382986601164523954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I took some time this evening to view some of nature's fireworks. Just as the sun set I noticed the common evening-primrose flowers opening up. I guess in the past I never actually watched it happen. It took about 3-minutes for the flowers to open fully.<br /><br />The show wasn't done...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPNPtXjv18WFkhC4ibt7JyW7cmF0KNjFhTh3IhUtI-GlEcR1Q-WG7J_AOOWXiNLX6Np08vVighJPJHdLs2fMTum5JJBBNJpkB6rr_DEYdCogf_zpGV08obh8ce2k8xCwoUZG0sXKfN6ki/s1600-h/12_mothlanding.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPNPtXjv18WFkhC4ibt7JyW7cmF0KNjFhTh3IhUtI-GlEcR1Q-WG7J_AOOWXiNLX6Np08vVighJPJHdLs2fMTum5JJBBNJpkB6rr_DEYdCogf_zpGV08obh8ce2k8xCwoUZG0sXKfN6ki/s320/12_mothlanding.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382986592300354386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I spotted some white-lined sphinx hummingbird moths. I have seen them in past years and it is always an interesting show. They aren't too shy as long as I wait patiently.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtqbkpwKgd2KURyM01mc2eiHiFYBPrHNv9FCLWxfXKqNiO9bjvok3fsEBlJwyLRhU4tT7rrr-w4yCnUU55Suhq5-L_QPDCmralupiZcUtrW5vVS0hrhYLuF5jpcZtHHupuuEOS9d2gIR0/s1600-h/13_motheating.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtqbkpwKgd2KURyM01mc2eiHiFYBPrHNv9FCLWxfXKqNiO9bjvok3fsEBlJwyLRhU4tT7rrr-w4yCnUU55Suhq5-L_QPDCmralupiZcUtrW5vVS0hrhYLuF5jpcZtHHupuuEOS9d2gIR0/s320/13_motheating.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382986584878770354" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ854_uF4uZvsw1vFtK52plEwMb4e5t8ALXUkM2r28mUISCdM-GxDtlFm7Fei8wsg_rmKgMoz5FVizhdSZXu4y69tPz4tR0mWFHPv6NAmUmtBuhIG9r4XzJMulYCaFgaf5qpQK98-l82J/s1600-h/14_motheating2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ854_uF4uZvsw1vFtK52plEwMb4e5t8ALXUkM2r28mUISCdM-GxDtlFm7Fei8wsg_rmKgMoz5FVizhdSZXu4y69tPz4tR0mWFHPv6NAmUmtBuhIG9r4XzJMulYCaFgaf5qpQK98-l82J/s320/14_motheating2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382986575143528194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I think that the colors are so interesting -- especially in the fast fading twilight. Hummingbird moth is an apt name as they really appear as hummingbirds. I thought I saw a hummingbird in the daylight a few days ago, but I guess it was one of these.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDi4_xKpY5ga-Utzglifp2QgqqCd3-6q-hi7erugjEjZRy1bBbyeihRHkn35CjTjkD7AKtUIsh9SsrYrImZ3dCxPc-NHXXc1CBQ_7iMi43x8qLUOQq65RkFJOExWtsDJBZed3kWSCZ-hSv/s1600-h/15_sphinx_moth.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDi4_xKpY5ga-Utzglifp2QgqqCd3-6q-hi7erugjEjZRy1bBbyeihRHkn35CjTjkD7AKtUIsh9SsrYrImZ3dCxPc-NHXXc1CBQ_7iMi43x8qLUOQq65RkFJOExWtsDJBZed3kWSCZ-hSv/s320/15_sphinx_moth.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382986574185592466" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(White-lined Sphinx Hummingbird Moth at Primrose)</span><br /><br />I also see these moths out as well. Not sure if they are the same or just related and like the same flowers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVt5JgtP4j6XWP_MW07vtcUtaBE9Vg21Q_8Zc-SpRpudHqWjTL2JO96XEttWdxeeqINyborO-fxYAUpBasiFBgJ9ZjVnQ5BTjQY50n6iTJBe4qDjTkX3j3HdLt5DgeaAc2X1KTTd1uMrOs/s1600-h/21_sphinx_female.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVt5JgtP4j6XWP_MW07vtcUtaBE9Vg21Q_8Zc-SpRpudHqWjTL2JO96XEttWdxeeqINyborO-fxYAUpBasiFBgJ9ZjVnQ5BTjQY50n6iTJBe4qDjTkX3j3HdLt5DgeaAc2X1KTTd1uMrOs/s320/21_sphinx_female.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382986450098467138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Taking time out in the fading hours really gives a new view on the gardens.ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-60565547612232918842009-09-05T20:47:00.003-05:002009-09-05T21:01:27.519-05:00Home for Bees<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqaPfVE9441teK2DahlrG3N2vVdjV2-AjSPzm0vd82Yu7aDqtzNqnFfJ7NffHJKYPAQk__5mZHgDDCvf6EF7raSvVnTMcYQu6Eeox91haExRG-5XIF0pqW1i74fivA1fT-yGWi2ZdaAPM/s1600-h/11_bumble.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqaPfVE9441teK2DahlrG3N2vVdjV2-AjSPzm0vd82Yu7aDqtzNqnFfJ7NffHJKYPAQk__5mZHgDDCvf6EF7raSvVnTMcYQu6Eeox91haExRG-5XIF0pqW1i74fivA1fT-yGWi2ZdaAPM/s320/11_bumble.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378165644566418338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our friendly bees help so much in the garden and they don't ask for much. A few flowers all season for food and maybe some place to build a home.<br /><br />This Spring I decided to try making a bee house. If you search, there are many sites with plans and instructions. Basically, these holes in wood are where many solitary bees will place their eggs for the next generation. I made a few different blocks, but this one turned out be busy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCJfjWfJ-WlnqzAq9GTSTbTJg8Zr7l_bG0Y7n5-4qWe7t122gpDKNgsUP4DwmgiomQsFEq05HmH3eH3L5MfaNIw-ZF3xf2aefZkQeFq3S4A_vgW_w7BCcUTL1Ip4LkA277Dl-g2pO0Y8A/s1600-h/12_beehouse.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCJfjWfJ-WlnqzAq9GTSTbTJg8Zr7l_bG0Y7n5-4qWe7t122gpDKNgsUP4DwmgiomQsFEq05HmH3eH3L5MfaNIw-ZF3xf2aefZkQeFq3S4A_vgW_w7BCcUTL1Ip4LkA277Dl-g2pO0Y8A/s320/12_beehouse.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378165633792461026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lots of foliage near by for the leaf cutters.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiR_SrztxTX7Q4vbnf4hvPHSACnppXYY5yPtod34JXme6HtRHv6SfXjm4VqqFk7YXYCj8v001R5kCvCkP02eo7AysEgcTu-smnt-5LtE4zILMFBfBnY4GwiVWQXgF-U15jWBDE_lwTJk-/s1600-h/13_leafhole.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiR_SrztxTX7Q4vbnf4hvPHSACnppXYY5yPtod34JXme6HtRHv6SfXjm4VqqFk7YXYCj8v001R5kCvCkP02eo7AysEgcTu-smnt-5LtE4zILMFBfBnY4GwiVWQXgF-U15jWBDE_lwTJk-/s320/13_leafhole.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378165627851599682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was interesting to check every few days to spot activity. Here, in late June looks like leaf cutters were moving in.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DF3X72WgCerQYtrTkiKIAh16JJoOPZ78oSDSNLKE4rQxyjSev_LI_wFlGU_mRvjiUnpvOmZWYun8nH-UEg1EqSPfTXEtzfV5j4M-Kh2YHaq7XHYpHvOtCtaDhbdNs_m20quexUFB1SLq/s1600-h/14_leafplugs.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DF3X72WgCerQYtrTkiKIAh16JJoOPZ78oSDSNLKE4rQxyjSev_LI_wFlGU_mRvjiUnpvOmZWYun8nH-UEg1EqSPfTXEtzfV5j4M-Kh2YHaq7XHYpHvOtCtaDhbdNs_m20quexUFB1SLq/s320/14_leafplugs.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378165618730126498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A month later a few more hole were filled, and some were hatched.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSE6efrwQ0XYir12WoENv7q1txjfC8v5100c-HRe4G-ihZgQl4ZJwzRnSmPaZ2lxpFvT32qDDaKOjJBxi27_jdcXU7E2nCQf2EUPvZU5mDwTXInigBKU9gGtcsmLC6B1txI3UCrIeT3Ij/s1600-h/15_dryplug.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSE6efrwQ0XYir12WoENv7q1txjfC8v5100c-HRe4G-ihZgQl4ZJwzRnSmPaZ2lxpFvT32qDDaKOjJBxi27_jdcXU7E2nCQf2EUPvZU5mDwTXInigBKU9gGtcsmLC6B1txI3UCrIeT3Ij/s320/15_dryplug.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378165607408010786" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGvv2geFcaV2rDHs4oO-KWeVTO438GE6AvWDqy51xYrLnxpHL_MIl0jK3Z1qwZ8xCWUqvB1SjBZPqke67ZuzkDebZ2wLhviNfikt8DMqhJxitujerzRu821sAKs3w8mAuEqiDuQZbjehQ/s1600-h/21_beehomes.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGvv2geFcaV2rDHs4oO-KWeVTO438GE6AvWDqy51xYrLnxpHL_MIl0jK3Z1qwZ8xCWUqvB1SjBZPqke67ZuzkDebZ2wLhviNfikt8DMqhJxitujerzRu821sAKs3w8mAuEqiDuQZbjehQ/s320/21_beehomes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378165484290943538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />At the end of the season, this house is pretty full. I have another double block next to this one, but only one space was filled.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczvDhMCuOY4g6_f7HhmNn6xK848JjAnfgkADDNvI-cLFLNP_leAYLpPiyzAEXeMisJOQu-d4g3g1ovGTQY7ixlAnJjuIs0ZAWGIcj24EPuRUrsLlmznBW9JPVGBJuMc2jHvmybwMzbmPQ/s1600-h/23_fullhouse.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczvDhMCuOY4g6_f7HhmNn6xK848JjAnfgkADDNvI-cLFLNP_leAYLpPiyzAEXeMisJOQu-d4g3g1ovGTQY7ixlAnJjuIs0ZAWGIcj24EPuRUrsLlmznBW9JPVGBJuMc2jHvmybwMzbmPQ/s320/23_fullhouse.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378165475130760194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have really enjoyed the bees in the garden this year. Seems like a large number of bumble bees around. But there were also many smaller ones. I was very happy when some decided to use the house I made. The spot is protected under the eastern overhang of a shed roof -- next a mixed "wildflower" bed.<br /><br />I hope to see the other homes fill in next year.ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-26880660519705186842009-09-01T21:33:00.004-05:002009-09-01T22:05:55.550-05:00Still Here<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyOVolYX7nJbXUSwZlpAFg4sD1eRXkl8U5LbGMhjC9g0q0ITZuA99Q6Z7A1bXD9MeKslqFrI_68LvnEB6GKZJZ0Pk1qAd-OoLrz9fFYt_Gqe7au_NPTO1HUVB4giLTboj7iMfHIjenVWm/s1600-h/11_sunchokes.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyOVolYX7nJbXUSwZlpAFg4sD1eRXkl8U5LbGMhjC9g0q0ITZuA99Q6Z7A1bXD9MeKslqFrI_68LvnEB6GKZJZ0Pk1qAd-OoLrz9fFYt_Gqe7au_NPTO1HUVB4giLTboj7iMfHIjenVWm/s320/11_sunchokes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376693455055724434" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(above: sunchokes in the park)</span><br /><br />Okay, I'm not even going to try to catch up on what was missed since my last post! At least I beat the 3-month mark....This season has actually been quite exciting with new things in the garden. I'm sorry that I haven't been able to share it all. Maybe I will get to some of that over the winter.<br /><br />So, onward... This is a stand of sunchokes or Jerusalem artichokes in a park we walk through. They do put on an impressive display. You can see a tired Dakota in the foreground (we took a long walk that day). I took the opportunity to smell the flowers and it is true, they do smell a bit like chocolate. Too bad the ones in our yard are not flowering -- they are quite tall though. Maybe I should sneak some of this variety.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoEcHSnRbUCWDp2S0V01xKTrMxIFaOAHGf_QyWYNAd8m4kNE4JxPWDojQMm4Sc4IjTM5QVBw_o6flI0IJc8cHt87GjAwho7SVR3E7x0iqjQqv2T42i39V7i-qRt_Od9bT3dgx7o7jSH27/s1600-h/12_sunchokes.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoEcHSnRbUCWDp2S0V01xKTrMxIFaOAHGf_QyWYNAd8m4kNE4JxPWDojQMm4Sc4IjTM5QVBw_o6flI0IJc8cHt87GjAwho7SVR3E7x0iqjQqv2T42i39V7i-qRt_Od9bT3dgx7o7jSH27/s320/12_sunchokes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376693449962681602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(above: sunchokes in the park)</span><br /><br />This caterpillar was hanging on the back door. I carefully put it on the ground for a quick photo-op. Is this what they call a "woolly bear"? It sure moved pretty fast. I left it on the kale to make its escape. We have had a large mix of insects in the yard this year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1MUmzx5B87rifnei1yOSfEo-blQkr7ZTSBgETF0KvtYbNAE3HN6r4VKVpJJCXRqm5TyAxHEm_hJyZZC84T3cT-mUSeeZBA1VHCqu2QQFZgQUMznHJJ-N_hxL4c2MVsqsEfDyU9pnLeSA/s1600-h/13_yellowbear.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1MUmzx5B87rifnei1yOSfEo-blQkr7ZTSBgETF0KvtYbNAE3HN6r4VKVpJJCXRqm5TyAxHEm_hJyZZC84T3cT-mUSeeZBA1VHCqu2QQFZgQUMznHJJ-N_hxL4c2MVsqsEfDyU9pnLeSA/s320/13_yellowbear.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376693441555153170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(above: caterpillar)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGyww30yBt7MyCYZrlgqGMuVZveAkp36213_lyaaZvJTXWedzNQpd8TzRNCX3wr3twS5KVr_mcEQE6Vk6xmeXGLof_Z2LFgHHm4z1hC9PynBsO5MkVm2VY3zDs7yxIuCNlkYtsTjgcG82/s1600-h/14_yellowbear.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGyww30yBt7MyCYZrlgqGMuVZveAkp36213_lyaaZvJTXWedzNQpd8TzRNCX3wr3twS5KVr_mcEQE6Vk6xmeXGLof_Z2LFgHHm4z1hC9PynBsO5MkVm2VY3zDs7yxIuCNlkYtsTjgcG82/s320/14_yellowbear.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376693429889315330" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(above: caterpillar on kale)</span><br /><br />I guess the Monarchs are mostly moving south, but we saw a couple too tired to go anywhere. We were careful not to touch the wings of this one. It few off to the tree tops after a couple photos.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ryV0Sdl09_6BRvIdfnc6mFgTImxet78iqMmO8CyUVFi5b9fk-BklUzPpRdc2bz4avxl6HN5E799F9sVlUnxRpm_HV8d7Lp9-SzpREtqNlYzKlBYMU23gUh5kbe76CEYhdmXCMLQ2ys3G/s1600-h/15_monarch.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ryV0Sdl09_6BRvIdfnc6mFgTImxet78iqMmO8CyUVFi5b9fk-BklUzPpRdc2bz4avxl6HN5E799F9sVlUnxRpm_HV8d7Lp9-SzpREtqNlYzKlBYMU23gUh5kbe76CEYhdmXCMLQ2ys3G/s320/15_monarch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376693422542540482" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(above: tired Monarch butterfly)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP_Ci8dbqRsN8X6kn2Q6jNGEY7Ni-XWcJ7XSNelsAmL0kghq5V-5PYGyO8NmSErq_9JxYn4jlUSkc9GM8AtLf7_hRfGcRNCJX85Sk3KG-Rjral6zN4Zk67hJ4MODvOBF8_-b4csUqIBc3/s1600-h/21_monarch.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP_Ci8dbqRsN8X6kn2Q6jNGEY7Ni-XWcJ7XSNelsAmL0kghq5V-5PYGyO8NmSErq_9JxYn4jlUSkc9GM8AtLf7_hRfGcRNCJX85Sk3KG-Rjral6zN4Zk67hJ4MODvOBF8_-b4csUqIBc3/s320/21_monarch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376693105792831186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(above: tired Monarch butterfly)</span><br /><br />This seems to have been a year for dragonflies -- more to eat the mosquitoes. Here are a couple found resting in the yard. Overhead in the evenings are busy airways with much zig-zagging.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BEaJj6xDmAH0GPYXlrDp_E7MYmTOyGpTDEJdbZumFADcD2dQWydO_sL0neUzQPNdYZqd5ycD7sDBUKJHnjNoLnEwssbyRNd19cj6i-XWrntGRVhCCWdpPYAw0_RcNB-BCXOgmMRSn8Rh/s1600-h/22_dragonfly.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BEaJj6xDmAH0GPYXlrDp_E7MYmTOyGpTDEJdbZumFADcD2dQWydO_sL0neUzQPNdYZqd5ycD7sDBUKJHnjNoLnEwssbyRNd19cj6i-XWrntGRVhCCWdpPYAw0_RcNB-BCXOgmMRSn8Rh/s320/22_dragonfly.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376693130855515378" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(above: black/blue dragonfly)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u7B-KxmQUySDyXzrRoOmGY5DsuENh-s0S7DZzzgBlQgiDFRaTmfBnjdg2MA1vBb0qC7jB2iHpDJo19pMqQYGfLIHP18_6goryjx6HwQ7uW4uAvuiwDTxC0iym3xKlFjRlnPUrY4RfG45/s1600-h/23_dragonfly.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u7B-KxmQUySDyXzrRoOmGY5DsuENh-s0S7DZzzgBlQgiDFRaTmfBnjdg2MA1vBb0qC7jB2iHpDJo19pMqQYGfLIHP18_6goryjx6HwQ7uW4uAvuiwDTxC0iym3xKlFjRlnPUrY4RfG45/s320/23_dragonfly.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376693142727158834" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(above: red dragonfly)</span><br /><br />Finally, I cannot forget our wonderful bees! There have been so many. I think that a few have begun to hibernate near or in the yard, which may explain the increase in activity this year. I also built a bee condo/house and have had many occupants. They sure do love certain flowers. Echinacea seems one favorite, but sunflowers and raspberries have attracted the largest groups.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMz7JysytaZc3OpapWzcqmtKVnWtX3QOLwBVKUbnyiklkjmMCLpL3cnA0ZEASt68xaSlEWHl4NYgI02Z8yppGH7to7nSOGjv93PU9yuNnF80WGU4zHgwlaKGkJf2gB5oRQ3TMZurcuaEr/s1600-h/24_bumblebee.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMz7JysytaZc3OpapWzcqmtKVnWtX3QOLwBVKUbnyiklkjmMCLpL3cnA0ZEASt68xaSlEWHl4NYgI02Z8yppGH7to7nSOGjv93PU9yuNnF80WGU4zHgwlaKGkJf2gB5oRQ3TMZurcuaEr/s320/24_bumblebee.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376693152028672530" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(above: bumblebee on echinacea)</span><br /><br />Well, we are still here in ND and the garden has grown this year. The season is not done and I am hoping to get some vegetables before the fall frosts come.ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-55629229996718663202009-06-09T11:05:00.010-05:002009-06-09T11:37:56.976-05:00June Update - Part 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGt3zqEwOgchqk2niOE1R8ethS_vdzIb37ZnCD0tqWrifxN5wIlksqv6EDhaAJxBF7tVz6ftCCcr4oe9pmsAkUxnRNXtqrHKEWEZSnfvZz0mAUIamvZLLLudCwiLNNBobAvBKrrCp9qVSU/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGt3zqEwOgchqk2niOE1R8ethS_vdzIb37ZnCD0tqWrifxN5wIlksqv6EDhaAJxBF7tVz6ftCCcr4oe9pmsAkUxnRNXtqrHKEWEZSnfvZz0mAUIamvZLLLudCwiLNNBobAvBKrrCp9qVSU/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360411248893346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the Part two of my June update....here is <a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/06/june-update-part-1.html">part one</a>. This is kind of like one of those vacation slide shows... Well if you are here, maybe there is something interesting you will find in our June garden.<br /><br />I love these flowers (above and below). The barrel on the right has what I have thought are "purple tansy"...they look nice as seedlings, in bud, and purple blooms later.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4x6FO9CY0CXsn9Ef4V94juWy1mY7KmC_n4J4VU2UTYGCIoT7Ji5o9J-11qFVUhZkRrn-PLfWrnfKkb1LVWU6gViOJMOTzuFF-2SrD6yYHpEn-SoSp4W_9IwJzj0WWXQufVUJ4bLbZ9EgD/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4x6FO9CY0CXsn9Ef4V94juWy1mY7KmC_n4J4VU2UTYGCIoT7Ji5o9J-11qFVUhZkRrn-PLfWrnfKkb1LVWU6gViOJMOTzuFF-2SrD6yYHpEn-SoSp4W_9IwJzj0WWXQufVUJ4bLbZ9EgD/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360410934730514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We started a rain barrel in the ferns by the garage. I wonder if they will fill in and hide the whole garbage can. At least it has been full so I know it won't tip over with the weight of water.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUykRlxJSuR8klceSsAyhm6dH5a0k75nqdt_m6jnDVws2poFC14Cn0cM2WTk2_Xdmtiz1FUVNTKP8lERXCP9uN6hPmW1ebgRatWTw6NIAQmFsltCMcJAGrnWW30e3PWiyrYJZixk_O8Jm4/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUykRlxJSuR8klceSsAyhm6dH5a0k75nqdt_m6jnDVws2poFC14Cn0cM2WTk2_Xdmtiz1FUVNTKP8lERXCP9uN6hPmW1ebgRatWTw6NIAQmFsltCMcJAGrnWW30e3PWiyrYJZixk_O8Jm4/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360407131565314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This year we are growing parsnips...the ones in the back are a couple weeks ahead of those in the front. This brick really has no purpose.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPj9wVUEQNSD8umjcYVi-flBy9ihgqaAJsrufVKuEd-7diFav_PxK2F9NhmPMOrakayEzHnEhHXd1QMTGCAO0ADh2e2a_S3B59xkK84YmPzEYj6vDAr4OJtrPP7iNUK-sCyy8JG3lR8N2x/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPj9wVUEQNSD8umjcYVi-flBy9ihgqaAJsrufVKuEd-7diFav_PxK2F9NhmPMOrakayEzHnEhHXd1QMTGCAO0ADh2e2a_S3B59xkK84YmPzEYj6vDAr4OJtrPP7iNUK-sCyy8JG3lR8N2x/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360404195064114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I never knew parsnips look like cilantro...I will have to check the spacing and maybe thin these.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee49oinJFverYbd3A4rnMLLSpr259lgK_3TyigipxKc4Nd3Kw_gfYoh2YsXtSSnf360h2v2fQ4dlm0-YLfLjzBq9pfKrR3p_V94aP-5cbp8yk1KrUjD_ja3SrUIW54tCl5oUC-1P0mnt5/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee49oinJFverYbd3A4rnMLLSpr259lgK_3TyigipxKc4Nd3Kw_gfYoh2YsXtSSnf360h2v2fQ4dlm0-YLfLjzBq9pfKrR3p_V94aP-5cbp8yk1KrUjD_ja3SrUIW54tCl5oUC-1P0mnt5/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360398583143602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It is a time of alliums here...chives are blooming. Given a warm, sunny morning I should find some bees in them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71GguO-J-GKio2iMntLztqCih017gMBi4AfXwrKrjYtimxl9SGh2Ez6oZms2OivtYwOfOoUgGERwKx2lm_QHzhwA4mCZADICRhxakH2mNOp9veyW6GYtmOWSSsZgnDGqyWpRMhNotvwsv/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71GguO-J-GKio2iMntLztqCih017gMBi4AfXwrKrjYtimxl9SGh2Ez6oZms2OivtYwOfOoUgGERwKx2lm_QHzhwA4mCZADICRhxakH2mNOp9veyW6GYtmOWSSsZgnDGqyWpRMhNotvwsv/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360259684848834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Another allium, love the tall blooms of these.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQ_NbFKCxQYE02wEZMpKuxuwpSDJhadpoptLWyUb5jFwCUprGF2L77ejD6Cj1n19TZFV8Aamv8jTdiVCREjUAAC4nS780COVoTP0j3zt6kAXNdprW2Ak0N3ivy3BDvViNAsLzJMCb8oRd/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQ_NbFKCxQYE02wEZMpKuxuwpSDJhadpoptLWyUb5jFwCUprGF2L77ejD6Cj1n19TZFV8Aamv8jTdiVCREjUAAC4nS780COVoTP0j3zt6kAXNdprW2Ak0N3ivy3BDvViNAsLzJMCb8oRd/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360254401781106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We are starting some ever-bearing strawberries to supplement our June-bearing harvest. There are also some pole beans and cucumbers in this barrel...we will see if they grow over the fence.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OhMNW6tjr6U6mo2RIiZeX1LOL8vGyrKkRf2xWfGna5-HOIwB88lYhajGSq0lactX7lQLEp1TNgd9yVm1BWmKe-nWlfs6MGgN9jNB43enM0MBeLJuobUMyr2EPIHE9Kc-0_s86UQ4XlvU/s1600-h/23.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OhMNW6tjr6U6mo2RIiZeX1LOL8vGyrKkRf2xWfGna5-HOIwB88lYhajGSq0lactX7lQLEp1TNgd9yVm1BWmKe-nWlfs6MGgN9jNB43enM0MBeLJuobUMyr2EPIHE9Kc-0_s86UQ4XlvU/s320/23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360252842842450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jerusalem artichokes / sunchokes are another new plant this year....here I have some in a container...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCSvb5agC7Bhvm9jxthQGTQ1UIYAUsp-Usq9qvwO_DObyZQZmEBIxm7EOJuT1jhJDoer60ieYL26uR3Cc0aEgh-VlIzdoq1aGipbGwcaDT82-qizumf4plK45rbIaaW56ODm4DkYxPJi1/s1600-h/24.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCSvb5agC7Bhvm9jxthQGTQ1UIYAUsp-Usq9qvwO_DObyZQZmEBIxm7EOJuT1jhJDoer60ieYL26uR3Cc0aEgh-VlIzdoq1aGipbGwcaDT82-qizumf4plK45rbIaaW56ODm4DkYxPJi1/s320/24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360249690245170" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We also have a bed of sunchokes started. It will be fun to see how they look in the fall.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_fSy4clcmQx1rcBSVEcpMgST_4-WG7NY0L5wNfixZ3RceC797HrDDvZRRfaMDpMVpyQVd1IsMfI80xdz0eGmGrFn6Bnk0PfaidtVicR6sJiZwsJ0tRWYZsUf1cWEYyJ8gcbO5R2eByrE/s1600-h/25.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_fSy4clcmQx1rcBSVEcpMgST_4-WG7NY0L5wNfixZ3RceC797HrDDvZRRfaMDpMVpyQVd1IsMfI80xdz0eGmGrFn6Bnk0PfaidtVicR6sJiZwsJ0tRWYZsUf1cWEYyJ8gcbO5R2eByrE/s320/25.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360246534150210" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These are some very nice hostas we inherited with the house. I really like how large these get -- they fill in most of this North side of the house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_p1XJdzXwrhHtgvrTqByQhstrPc88jnw1bh5jKCjdIHrQShyxwXFoY6M1-ux4qzlj63E0ICw5s-LzuVR_jz5MHcFFSqxomWaOlzYGlfvJ7AXAhCABcov22GB_hovArFXX0s0zK-z4So6/s1600-h/31.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_p1XJdzXwrhHtgvrTqByQhstrPc88jnw1bh5jKCjdIHrQShyxwXFoY6M1-ux4qzlj63E0ICw5s-LzuVR_jz5MHcFFSqxomWaOlzYGlfvJ7AXAhCABcov22GB_hovArFXX0s0zK-z4So6/s320/31.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360095543134178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A volunteer viola -- I hope to get more growing. These are another of those edible flowers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXuNEL7fdxKOhLtPFQ6AvqoOBcJEwfmjw-znXiFA_SG3SWm-N3Wp7o1CjDOc3EDy5I8gOMfhFk9je0wkJnv7gw0r5slSA0nlVUk7J04ewcnE5Ayw1cEBfSnazMhvo-XphUznmmQITJ6vQ/s1600-h/32.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXuNEL7fdxKOhLtPFQ6AvqoOBcJEwfmjw-znXiFA_SG3SWm-N3Wp7o1CjDOc3EDy5I8gOMfhFk9je0wkJnv7gw0r5slSA0nlVUk7J04ewcnE5Ayw1cEBfSnazMhvo-XphUznmmQITJ6vQ/s320/32.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360091539470290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Parsley from last year is starting to build a seed stalk. It will be the first time I see parsley flowers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mjUXYqzCBtAA6vBss59CzQ9awV0u1Hh9qek5tOeSipkzxvc9IyB-DSFTXJBqX_w69SbAg91cwvrft_UckTbLWsKFbVnK0EDPEbW6Q981nXUkDhohhmCLbPIS-iA4nBUqgsRBS17SbHDo/s1600-h/33.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mjUXYqzCBtAA6vBss59CzQ9awV0u1Hh9qek5tOeSipkzxvc9IyB-DSFTXJBqX_w69SbAg91cwvrft_UckTbLWsKFbVnK0EDPEbW6Q981nXUkDhohhmCLbPIS-iA4nBUqgsRBS17SbHDo/s320/33.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360087722341058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />June raspberries are almost here...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYGgr5Ap3R4hCDjvSacDoTDV-fLUGiHx2mso8cjXye57chukh36ANStsnWl-4n1F3qrXMlRL4VEfKn5eeFr3o07n6u3i9sQUDYdtAvTpG31TmnzVMT4ghKdGoixXWOljmJJlNFcVAF4cn/s1600-h/34.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYGgr5Ap3R4hCDjvSacDoTDV-fLUGiHx2mso8cjXye57chukh36ANStsnWl-4n1F3qrXMlRL4VEfKn5eeFr3o07n6u3i9sQUDYdtAvTpG31TmnzVMT4ghKdGoixXWOljmJJlNFcVAF4cn/s320/34.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360082608747906" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Finally, I was impressed to see an herb return from last year. This lemon balm returned where parsley failed to survive the winter. This made a great addition to my wood sorrel cold tea.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2BwAcYcTHUCQyfXxaC_JtyVzAfe2xNnj6qkZYSB-DEZu71pponLBilsOnn3SRrQuoY5SwILecJKs95F7Jot-nXkJXV2lv0VZXy9EKgDimShfYofdlXBH5SItXHWZRkYEChhpTyqTc95l/s1600-h/35.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2BwAcYcTHUCQyfXxaC_JtyVzAfe2xNnj6qkZYSB-DEZu71pponLBilsOnn3SRrQuoY5SwILecJKs95F7Jot-nXkJXV2lv0VZXy9EKgDimShfYofdlXBH5SItXHWZRkYEChhpTyqTc95l/s320/35.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345360082837573554" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thanks for visiting our garden!ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-83946042197913023632009-06-08T14:57:00.009-05:002009-06-09T11:39:05.103-05:00June Update - Part 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiHGVavZ1K9dX4_uIV5DxQCtc5QgQ6_pO11dSqURVUvDypF6VIb4gURyC7HyC1Rj_0KdxKCqsJfZlJd6LHj4FzJuJaWTM-sj4-uUNwywqPe6N3MBc_cK1MpjFBe5YmxiVUadlsUgMF6AO/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiHGVavZ1K9dX4_uIV5DxQCtc5QgQ6_pO11dSqURVUvDypF6VIb4gURyC7HyC1Rj_0KdxKCqsJfZlJd6LHj4FzJuJaWTM-sj4-uUNwywqPe6N3MBc_cK1MpjFBe5YmxiVUadlsUgMF6AO/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050740753274242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Once again a few weeks have gone by and I find myself with lots of garden updates. This is part 1, soon to be followed by <a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/06/june-update-part-2.html">part 2</a>. Things have been growing okay this year -- except the weather has now decided to be tough as you will see...<br /><br />The walking onions have grown are are starting to form little springy tops - new bulblets ready to jump out and walk...perhaps a sunny location will aid the spread of these plants.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CFBZsEiilBSfciz32nRRBC1ndOMEHXf3-HRD859vR62hLLKRUg4YVy7plOI4QCSJJMb-hKhPXnDDfhoT8wgWaOmtOngFlvzrkmgfiDwwhDfUUcIfe2PtvmZWbmucsqXFodi9Mhz-W1nh/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CFBZsEiilBSfciz32nRRBC1ndOMEHXf3-HRD859vR62hLLKRUg4YVy7plOI4QCSJJMb-hKhPXnDDfhoT8wgWaOmtOngFlvzrkmgfiDwwhDfUUcIfe2PtvmZWbmucsqXFodi9Mhz-W1nh/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050739399113970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have continued to sample some of the wild edibles in our back-yard. I have sampled wild violets. Below, yellow wood sorrel makes a nice addition to a salad, or an interesting tea....though sources warn to use in moderation due to high amounts of oxalic acid.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9AgdyQcDcejEE35IYML8lKB_sVsbg0YBZj3SKXmuhiWvvGJmI90HM0EZyvB_lXevdYilLasWjYLXJmQojlI_7siJqX4QO-4h79IHQlPlXdC0i6uwHhfwvNQAdSafdpaD2Z8IZ3iYz46W/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9AgdyQcDcejEE35IYML8lKB_sVsbg0YBZj3SKXmuhiWvvGJmI90HM0EZyvB_lXevdYilLasWjYLXJmQojlI_7siJqX4QO-4h79IHQlPlXdC0i6uwHhfwvNQAdSafdpaD2Z8IZ3iYz46W/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050735462168930" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh yes, the weather...well the past number of days in June have had highs in the 50's F. That's like the average low or something. I don't know the effect this will have on things like broccoli and cauliflower, but it is taxing some plants and looks to have killed others....below is the before and after of a zucchini that was doing well until a night of near frost.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOybw9F01UVZb7fvgdYSoM-UnUAFRpWNK69XwSehhIIJx524i2CmdQRlCIYuzfIlO8N_pybKOekEtu59jl-TwjZ4v9Bo1LI0oL0oDvZCRDITM9vbHUVMztH0w_wuqnS-2C0CFrCXncoA_D/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOybw9F01UVZb7fvgdYSoM-UnUAFRpWNK69XwSehhIIJx524i2CmdQRlCIYuzfIlO8N_pybKOekEtu59jl-TwjZ4v9Bo1LI0oL0oDvZCRDITM9vbHUVMztH0w_wuqnS-2C0CFrCXncoA_D/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050733504052146" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0ogpdqf0JijjCxLHsL34J0342Oogj8xczxJ4uuhjLysplnpRCH1OgSHQ9KtSMpv7AmmUqKet_UDSV6kU6YFKJuGLGL-pCT4XGcHAc9Kysbz1hPG7boAHY1UU7QTWelj1qe1zy9LmyPga/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0ogpdqf0JijjCxLHsL34J0342Oogj8xczxJ4uuhjLysplnpRCH1OgSHQ9KtSMpv7AmmUqKet_UDSV6kU6YFKJuGLGL-pCT4XGcHAc9Kysbz1hPG7boAHY1UU7QTWelj1qe1zy9LmyPga/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050731441937810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We also lost a pumpkin plant or two, but some did okay. The tomatoes are next to the house and looking fine. Tonight will be cold, so I will cover what has so far survived.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakZhtH_AscYV7IxI_-S9JKYfLpXepENmfHLP9IjAkzV4WRkr4mDO6lIP3hI0tV2bWz21GqqIpEV4ZScczWwQ00Bbkt6IR_UsIhAM0j8yCxe6myt90RM8Jn3s_dHjHnM_kmfdpMuAex_z9/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakZhtH_AscYV7IxI_-S9JKYfLpXepENmfHLP9IjAkzV4WRkr4mDO6lIP3hI0tV2bWz21GqqIpEV4ZScczWwQ00Bbkt6IR_UsIhAM0j8yCxe6myt90RM8Jn3s_dHjHnM_kmfdpMuAex_z9/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050342370020722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Cool season plants are doing well, the kohlrabi I transplanted looks healthy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhHodXDJno9tGxpyskp7_l6VlunlPZq4S7Gifa4k1fFCMBuVde85GJcj4zDcaAZCsJG4f6sHK3VHwkPCvHisSwLSiF58AHk7wGeRvUmRxKKyA8N2CrsbhmS0RNCemw6NNwA0iwbepWwW7/s1600-h/24.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhHodXDJno9tGxpyskp7_l6VlunlPZq4S7Gifa4k1fFCMBuVde85GJcj4zDcaAZCsJG4f6sHK3VHwkPCvHisSwLSiF58AHk7wGeRvUmRxKKyA8N2CrsbhmS0RNCemw6NNwA0iwbepWwW7/s320/24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050350496525106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The stems are beginning to swell, so a harvest is soon to come.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrea-oNTeJWSvVOc1tgB8HRIpGo3I2fsIReHa2QLAILwB095c2092lZ93odVIWWDF2-PsnXTgwKoQOjSu5ZkqzAZTqIULww3kJNfbfn0v2rBD7qSRDoQU5gBdIfvQWRIcoLYVyXt20fTh/s1600-h/25.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrea-oNTeJWSvVOc1tgB8HRIpGo3I2fsIReHa2QLAILwB095c2092lZ93odVIWWDF2-PsnXTgwKoQOjSu5ZkqzAZTqIULww3kJNfbfn0v2rBD7qSRDoQU5gBdIfvQWRIcoLYVyXt20fTh/s320/25.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050361280790386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Pop-corn looks to be surviving, though I worry what the next nights low temperatures will do.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkZTzyVKRMOHfSeCiYnMUGQdxb_oEEfDSDwNfyC78OkavWy2kIvWV_D3PO3oKvYudL72Hm18L0X_UOhhPvOaSRG1TFK7NmhsK4GpQuD-C56fpXTAzTJOLuY5taeox60iv817E-cZgMN0i/s1600-h/23.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkZTzyVKRMOHfSeCiYnMUGQdxb_oEEfDSDwNfyC78OkavWy2kIvWV_D3PO3oKvYudL72Hm18L0X_UOhhPvOaSRG1TFK7NmhsK4GpQuD-C56fpXTAzTJOLuY5taeox60iv817E-cZgMN0i/s320/23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050345018042322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Cabbages are one of the crops I think is perfectly happy at the moment.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzLZoVvYy28M1t4gD9hpwKaY0sTIgdC71EmFLFGhTuMuG6PpcW0-Rvuw47-WdKoCqjOhxmZylyhJeDgSVYuWr083s56pgFYBae1h4mBFNlHCdpK2pltCgLNXp56LyB-HshVRN_U00j0iy/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzLZoVvYy28M1t4gD9hpwKaY0sTIgdC71EmFLFGhTuMuG6PpcW0-Rvuw47-WdKoCqjOhxmZylyhJeDgSVYuWr083s56pgFYBae1h4mBFNlHCdpK2pltCgLNXp56LyB-HshVRN_U00j0iy/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050348330626386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Peas seem to be ahead of last year, even though they got a later start. These early bush shelling and snaps are flowering.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aE1eNeDB5_2BfeaXDpVFsyKw44c375haW2auVid2_OG_CzoRXiiYKfUUiDB9Egf5aaJTqY0wrM7KiEYeumC5VUkvUKQ6w0eYM_AmyyjiYACwFf9f12qKu2KzzsfIPrkHVnf110xImeNO/s1600-h/35.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aE1eNeDB5_2BfeaXDpVFsyKw44c375haW2auVid2_OG_CzoRXiiYKfUUiDB9Egf5aaJTqY0wrM7KiEYeumC5VUkvUKQ6w0eYM_AmyyjiYACwFf9f12qKu2KzzsfIPrkHVnf110xImeNO/s320/35.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050085552851186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Carrots are in need of thinning...I have a couple varieties here and one that was just sown a few days ago.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY4DfMJoAD3GU5WayNsdHjbdPmg882HBnsCqxGdJ52xRlMePJnhfEGKCjE4OxpixJlA2D6SlDI4PaXNlVFwlJVXdmrSz17jeSSMh0l7uaEvoGlOR21Ly0VRcLdZs4HWbR-qNZHzJZ7b_p/s1600-h/34.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY4DfMJoAD3GU5WayNsdHjbdPmg882HBnsCqxGdJ52xRlMePJnhfEGKCjE4OxpixJlA2D6SlDI4PaXNlVFwlJVXdmrSz17jeSSMh0l7uaEvoGlOR21Ly0VRcLdZs4HWbR-qNZHzJZ7b_p/s320/34.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050074500547058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Potato plants are getting huge and bush beans are popping up -- I hope the cold doesn't hurt them too much.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGpEAZEJMQ2lZNAhZqPlde04ySaYfkhytaWeuHmPy3qxQD5wSmdIogQ45qhDHHiy9QfT_yFpuiWpCdJlNnfJZj7zNSWujJl3VDhW89cQjtqNHA5xEdOhD1oSOZSEpWd2vAVj6MN8Ko-C2/s1600-h/33.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGpEAZEJMQ2lZNAhZqPlde04ySaYfkhytaWeuHmPy3qxQD5wSmdIogQ45qhDHHiy9QfT_yFpuiWpCdJlNnfJZj7zNSWujJl3VDhW89cQjtqNHA5xEdOhD1oSOZSEpWd2vAVj6MN8Ko-C2/s320/33.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050077552854914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Leaf lettuces and radishes are coming up nice. We have harvested some radish, though we tend to just let them flower. The lettuce could probably stand to be thinned. The brick keeps rain gutter water from digging a deep hole in the bed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbgiJTZdzJhcuoWfhqaJx23IGfeI9euBR9whDaE0CDs2JA8PGIPry8dxL-1EtjmZVk8lHVjMYw0F9qHV6Tx6zH0rqOo0gVYB5_FobDQERVKXxpL33voJj2fFrq58AuOFamJh7VFYF8xFW/s1600-h/32.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbgiJTZdzJhcuoWfhqaJx23IGfeI9euBR9whDaE0CDs2JA8PGIPry8dxL-1EtjmZVk8lHVjMYw0F9qHV6Tx6zH0rqOo0gVYB5_FobDQERVKXxpL33voJj2fFrq58AuOFamJh7VFYF8xFW/s320/32.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050072285680322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Spinach is ready to really produce and the kales are liking this weather I think.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-VMhyphenhyphen9eKzIvqAXd3HnXX_tqnuVEja90pjh9DhXMYxpzXhnDttIfNzrrp0eibSjBo_M9LL-kn3TsMxiZ7Aj17uGdeWSWUN57QFi5rWf_Q1souJVXfo3TiVOHsc9_ril8EavZ2MJ5_S_OH/s1600-h/31.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-VMhyphenhyphen9eKzIvqAXd3HnXX_tqnuVEja90pjh9DhXMYxpzXhnDttIfNzrrp0eibSjBo_M9LL-kn3TsMxiZ7Aj17uGdeWSWUN57QFi5rWf_Q1souJVXfo3TiVOHsc9_ril8EavZ2MJ5_S_OH/s320/31.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345050065322028882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well that's it for this half. Hopefully I can get the rest up later tonight. [Here is <a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/06/june-update-part-2.html">Part 2</a>]ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-69379466751312929442009-05-21T21:21:00.006-05:002009-05-21T21:48:05.451-05:00Ten Days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSKo7EkE63iZQw_VSHT7gDmvGihEGcnrf4yCLtvXzwk6F35Tej58EFkA9mVbMHjUkeiK0kfNlJI2kte4wKf34Uwtu9yWGfKLk5dJIi4UEj_3ntA76wsivtz6WDan0xBcoNlmwECNXB2uD/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSKo7EkE63iZQw_VSHT7gDmvGihEGcnrf4yCLtvXzwk6F35Tej58EFkA9mVbMHjUkeiK0kfNlJI2kte4wKf34Uwtu9yWGfKLk5dJIi4UEj_3ntA76wsivtz6WDan0xBcoNlmwECNXB2uD/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468590452423074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Again I need to find time to make updates on the blog (my written journal is a little more updated). What a difference 10 days can make...here are a few pictures of the garden ten days apart from May 5 and May 16. I know, today is the 21 - so I'm still behind!<br /><br />[Below] The daffodils have bloomed and now there are seed pods standing in the place of flowers. I never knew how interesting these pods looked.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z66Sz0XtKxQgkKZOXZb5JBn47l5jZmJP9pPhOYh8JNRPvf9n2DlezqWi0w5awAwaYUSmDzwmJ9bppK_lawl9A2XEAd4QJfuxrxO1rluokaGV06g3KBr9W9SIHW2eACc5ND52hd3zQRT_/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z66Sz0XtKxQgkKZOXZb5JBn47l5jZmJP9pPhOYh8JNRPvf9n2DlezqWi0w5awAwaYUSmDzwmJ9bppK_lawl9A2XEAd4QJfuxrxO1rluokaGV06g3KBr9W9SIHW2eACc5ND52hd3zQRT_/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468589260821202" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZrNp7akIBeuvYnEr3AES2l6TmG01K7UGGb-gMq2fusSX7VAtXQzbAYhtltARlm-lcHlcIRXRbtns4LBqYrbwMqoQWGIvCKzMAK82_TaLxIi7m7GlSeNtuq8mtAGVuu2LlBd4_9cCv8sg/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZrNp7akIBeuvYnEr3AES2l6TmG01K7UGGb-gMq2fusSX7VAtXQzbAYhtltARlm-lcHlcIRXRbtns4LBqYrbwMqoQWGIvCKzMAK82_TaLxIi7m7GlSeNtuq8mtAGVuu2LlBd4_9cCv8sg/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468583086875122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />[Below] You can click to get a little bit larger images...most tulips have been bright and are now fading. Other plants are getting larger to take their place later in the summer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UI4ku4yXpOsytmbqxvrHLYEH-4-G8qbksHeIimSxPqRfQHxxP37qEKp2VreEB_ATXbAT6k8Oj7S4z89nPxW5fnK_eTQhNlSLMj2bwoLevis4J5s8eReNDE3fGcCMOa-wft5UHq2i0kiW/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UI4ku4yXpOsytmbqxvrHLYEH-4-G8qbksHeIimSxPqRfQHxxP37qEKp2VreEB_ATXbAT6k8Oj7S4z89nPxW5fnK_eTQhNlSLMj2bwoLevis4J5s8eReNDE3fGcCMOa-wft5UHq2i0kiW/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468583073770578" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SmMQB9izyNN07XNGaoTWOPodlMKrsBsWKslxYXZfVXLfwO0z4_RYQhMg7ee0QeUylKz_v_RhRxFQEd8rzMxdUSxtWXi5Dj6RjmBtFq_5NnghtzgHIkWnF0jCPwoMK-fV6U-_DR8FvGPh/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SmMQB9izyNN07XNGaoTWOPodlMKrsBsWKslxYXZfVXLfwO0z4_RYQhMg7ee0QeUylKz_v_RhRxFQEd8rzMxdUSxtWXi5Dj6RjmBtFq_5NnghtzgHIkWnF0jCPwoMK-fV6U-_DR8FvGPh/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468578202855202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />[Below] On the 5th, peas were just poking up above the soil...not much to see.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-nH7jL-5abwoKfRui1P14K8eZ7Fu_6kfST3DXEHjoc2wUsZIptf_FnWB-BbWJsGBovyDcXbexq1pL-bdtsESSb5c2F2oEJkCN3X98vGulyfgtw6HP7qhx7_Y8YvIZ5Acsy3l0c5tprS8/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-nH7jL-5abwoKfRui1P14K8eZ7Fu_6kfST3DXEHjoc2wUsZIptf_FnWB-BbWJsGBovyDcXbexq1pL-bdtsESSb5c2F2oEJkCN3X98vGulyfgtw6HP7qhx7_Y8YvIZ5Acsy3l0c5tprS8/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468443209314386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />[Below] Just over a week later they are very visible. It won't be long before they start putting on a lot more height.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTcNgPMBK5opgqO8MPpbu1AOjHPs_3G1-8X9YeJuhhnMoIoNIJ6x7kghiqGhe6bf0FlFClxAUJyFpUNyYznQiAjJCKI9l-wtUcTOVe6O6yMETzuhmncpp6mODTsUlAJ3wRA3pBYlMhv9K/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTcNgPMBK5opgqO8MPpbu1AOjHPs_3G1-8X9YeJuhhnMoIoNIJ6x7kghiqGhe6bf0FlFClxAUJyFpUNyYznQiAjJCKI9l-wtUcTOVe6O6yMETzuhmncpp6mODTsUlAJ3wRA3pBYlMhv9K/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468442110974882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />[Below] New raspberry plants are sending up some shoots and starting to fill out some canes from last year...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27q8NeCDZTEKhiiAPoObzdIAV9xVQ711MzA0QviqB5bZqK_ZYrzcUmajxcHi0h2EdE06tBGRkgwSQGTTH23CzcSxGysHQpxxOef8BHnG-bTCPcokEHXlQopz3JVuUUyhD8FX2UxgoKVeK/s1600-h/23.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27q8NeCDZTEKhiiAPoObzdIAV9xVQ711MzA0QviqB5bZqK_ZYrzcUmajxcHi0h2EdE06tBGRkgwSQGTTH23CzcSxGysHQpxxOef8BHnG-bTCPcokEHXlQopz3JVuUUyhD8FX2UxgoKVeK/s320/23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468439819045842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />[Below] A few days of sun and the leaves are really filling out the plants. I am looking forward to harvesting some berries this year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iIUI17oeAikCNq2_IeTL5lnkHOJpt_mir8OhQbvwoypY91xJdm-gDzkaHvfOBNc4ueKwKEQt9UjqN2dV2407CAYE6R1dZIW3SReCk19e2rYMoSLg84HvQsAz2UvaNlbzWp7BXj3AA5uD/s1600-h/24.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iIUI17oeAikCNq2_IeTL5lnkHOJpt_mir8OhQbvwoypY91xJdm-gDzkaHvfOBNc4ueKwKEQt9UjqN2dV2407CAYE6R1dZIW3SReCk19e2rYMoSLg84HvQsAz2UvaNlbzWp7BXj3AA5uD/s320/24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468432251804194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />[Below] Two varieties of rhubarb were just filling out on the 5th...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL-5lIx0dGTo3Qtxh-OO8OPNKNq2oYpUWBFviw4nUpOSqRi10eAd9kofRrQ12VvQSEn7dTIdJT-w0QN20W4eyL-Ioty3rDz72MR4SyudpiEKtlehe9jTBCAkl-4Al3Iq3N_tWD9UA8uKl/s1600-h/25.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL-5lIx0dGTo3Qtxh-OO8OPNKNq2oYpUWBFviw4nUpOSqRi10eAd9kofRrQ12VvQSEn7dTIdJT-w0QN20W4eyL-Ioty3rDz72MR4SyudpiEKtlehe9jTBCAkl-4Al3Iq3N_tWD9UA8uKl/s320/25.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468427104635410" border="0" /></a><br /><br />[Below] Now they are starting to bulk up some stems...won't be long for a harvest.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5Wv6whmWnFaAFESm_8wj-f3Ch6pKulS-hij11n-UJKmSf3Cg9aIXBDor3_fm-Igy2LbCZasDcEg1yyDc6bGJbinD9g7JOEQdQG47_GvqL4wRMRF6iTfRfWweoS1pR3c2UhYXxJmdqV5b/s1600-h/31.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5Wv6whmWnFaAFESm_8wj-f3Ch6pKulS-hij11n-UJKmSf3Cg9aIXBDor3_fm-Igy2LbCZasDcEg1yyDc6bGJbinD9g7JOEQdQG47_GvqL4wRMRF6iTfRfWweoS1pR3c2UhYXxJmdqV5b/s320/31.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468118630976242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />[Below] Okay this pair is a bit different. These are lettuce seedlings that were direct sown. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaExslOPBua9aWP9SFQtC_W-O1eKwa09y-62at8v4VJ1UH9iaOBCItm0y-9yR98iq91gM-TntD4yBsX08ctqBYaZnMHrSwc_IHPtd_i-1ZcMTkk64EOkz5Fh1sL6zOyRaGYk6cmnf8NAC/s1600-h/33.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaExslOPBua9aWP9SFQtC_W-O1eKwa09y-62at8v4VJ1UH9iaOBCItm0y-9yR98iq91gM-TntD4yBsX08ctqBYaZnMHrSwc_IHPtd_i-1ZcMTkk64EOkz5Fh1sL6zOyRaGYk6cmnf8NAC/s320/33.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468124020192562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">[Above: A spinach seedling in the lower left, pea shoots, mixed leaf lettuces, and a few scattered radishes.]</span><br /><br />[Below] Here are plants that have been transplanted rather than direct seeded. The lettuce can be harvested now.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrnZkCvOJsm_eagElSf9ZIIgY744jj1K9F45w4no8dresKyC0f0Uf27USwtwida3WGdOdlisQbqQfJUjR7ezLVUcae0LcA-x_X7gHVMlltEkBBmVrUOlsyYJI6id1bL8Gw6b-6cBTmV4B/s1600-h/32.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrnZkCvOJsm_eagElSf9ZIIgY744jj1K9F45w4no8dresKyC0f0Uf27USwtwida3WGdOdlisQbqQfJUjR7ezLVUcae0LcA-x_X7gHVMlltEkBBmVrUOlsyYJI6id1bL8Gw6b-6cBTmV4B/s320/32.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338468119217553890" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">[Above: There is butterhead and green ice lettuce, curled kale, kohlrabi, and clover in this picture.]</span><br /><br />Ten days can hold quite a bit of growth and activity in a garden!ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-68974071667547822882009-05-05T11:11:00.005-05:002009-05-05T12:43:50.243-05:00More Edibles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGrJFKlnnBN4Aa5EMSYA7KEXhUTnGTd2sRnJSKgZP8Mv9lMM0vCYNafuT1p1PQe7r9w7FXMs2UCUz7rchXO5oziNq7n4NXpqGc46oGSARnBhRS17tnSTbuQGIlNfime7boLiO8vvsxXWc/s1600-h/1ev_primrose.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGrJFKlnnBN4Aa5EMSYA7KEXhUTnGTd2sRnJSKgZP8Mv9lMM0vCYNafuT1p1PQe7r9w7FXMs2UCUz7rchXO5oziNq7n4NXpqGc46oGSARnBhRS17tnSTbuQGIlNfime7boLiO8vvsxXWc/s320/1ev_primrose.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332375523413455442" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Common Evening-Primrose)</span><br /><br />Spring is coming along well here....I have a couple of updates waiting, starting with this one. In a <a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/04/crocus-and-bee.html">previous post</a>, I mentioned my research into "wild edibles" in our yard starting with the common day-lily. I have now had the chance to try a few more from the list. It's really been interesting so far...and so many can be found well before the first domestic vegetables.<br /><br />As you may tell from the top image, the main focus this time was the common evening-primrose. The old image below is the day-lily bed...you can spot the old evening primrose stalks in the front.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqVo9LINRliNCwe66QJxmbzfLLtEop1lmh_N2KkQQAZtFzno0dOI7obTTbflkGKm1Fez8WCVDnbl-cJB5qePCXYDXspAU6Kfnjg5pm_-Y9yIlx6syPdUaR70bChl9mUDnFTEL1ogEZGdl/s1600-h/24.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqVo9LINRliNCwe66QJxmbzfLLtEop1lmh_N2KkQQAZtFzno0dOI7obTTbflkGKm1Fez8WCVDnbl-cJB5qePCXYDXspAU6Kfnjg5pm_-Y9yIlx6syPdUaR70bChl9mUDnFTEL1ogEZGdl/s320/24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325045777398733170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Bed with primrose stalks and day-lily shoots)</span><br /><br />Photos from <a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2008/07/independence-day-july.html">last year</a> show the mature plants.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuGCYLBQU6S-emH3zsKabbnu3ytotE9Sg2YKjulvCuix1GZ2ywsF1PeK_xOx_HHlv8YVV3-uYDVoWQxHaGpnp8dEnICakDTsG7qhuDzVMrEQ54SaBhbMmQR0JxKIKxE_E8ZWLgf_37Vs/s1600-h/54.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuGCYLBQU6S-emH3zsKabbnu3ytotE9Sg2YKjulvCuix1GZ2ywsF1PeK_xOx_HHlv8YVV3-uYDVoWQxHaGpnp8dEnICakDTsG7qhuDzVMrEQ54SaBhbMmQR0JxKIKxE_E8ZWLgf_37Vs/s320/54.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219184780582156850" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxlHzXdB17tKgdEIAvM69G8GTJAQf3J7mo5iHUnrzTn_Of5zb0GUbp7BQ01spVZmFG5j3-8yASPPm9w7a8pbUejsAd-4dtJ2EyPWzTcanLP7_lfGh9UigO5sE_sYhsQiD-xstBdM4S4Y/s1600-h/55.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxlHzXdB17tKgdEIAvM69G8GTJAQf3J7mo5iHUnrzTn_Of5zb0GUbp7BQ01spVZmFG5j3-8yASPPm9w7a8pbUejsAd-4dtJ2EyPWzTcanLP7_lfGh9UigO5sE_sYhsQiD-xstBdM4S4Y/s320/55.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219184785062048178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The plant of interest is the early spring specimen. From my trusty field guide, I find that the young leaves can be used in salads or as a cooked green. As the description said - they are a bit peppery. They were not really bitter for me used fresh. The leaves are hairy, so the texture is a bit different.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoaYI3GTCOr9jqkSQherhwnhyj9hz1LLRF3Aby2JLV3owyS8u6kQTDPDijEXxw1ZjlMKqJtcxkXTHMqK1B7Fc0H5oEAnygGA4CdQhWL8zsJPyYAiZxVluthkRXjY4nPCTPH1iCAxUURKV/s1600-h/2ev_primerose_top.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoaYI3GTCOr9jqkSQherhwnhyj9hz1LLRF3Aby2JLV3owyS8u6kQTDPDijEXxw1ZjlMKqJtcxkXTHMqK1B7Fc0H5oEAnygGA4CdQhWL8zsJPyYAiZxVluthkRXjY4nPCTPH1iCAxUURKV/s320/2ev_primerose_top.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332375520117343698" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Common Evening-Primrose Top)</span><br /><br />Another edible part is the cooked first-year roots...it is said the fall and early spring are the best times to harvest as they can become "quite peppery". I tried the cooked root, plain but it really was strong. It would likely be improved by using it as part of a dish and following the procedure of using 2-3 changes of water (I didn't want to go through the trouble - but should have for a better experience).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFqx5ovJnbLkF0cbHY_FCpMsAuKnZaOGcpy5rIYyLCCZ1s4qMDjplhOHJKGf5JVig1zvF5GPSPqZug6lyU-ZiZBxMN3ZhRpRXAdHzu2xEDT_-gfwC4_2d1QSQlPtTeezcEbr4y2uTGhzq/s1600-h/3ev_primrose_root.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 138px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFqx5ovJnbLkF0cbHY_FCpMsAuKnZaOGcpy5rIYyLCCZ1s4qMDjplhOHJKGf5JVig1zvF5GPSPqZug6lyU-ZiZBxMN3ZhRpRXAdHzu2xEDT_-gfwC4_2d1QSQlPtTeezcEbr4y2uTGhzq/s320/3ev_primrose_root.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332375518346528194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Common Evening-Primrose Root)</span><br /><br />So a little summary based on the guide book and an online <a href="http://www.sacredearth.com/ethnobotany/foraging/EveningPrimrose.php">article</a>:<br /><br />Early Spring: Tender leaves, cooked or in salad<br />Early Spring: First year roots, cooked<br />Summer-Fall: Flowers<br />Fall: Seeds, crack and add to baking<br />Late Fall: First year roots, cooked<br />(Peppery flavor can be reduced by using multiple changes of water in cooking.)<br /><br />I have been making some Spring salads with various greens. Here is a common plantain. The young leaves (Early Spring) are used in salads or cooked. Older leaves will get stringy -- you can see the fibers in the leaf veins. They don't seem too invasive and are also medicinal for cuts and stings. Here is a nice <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBeI3tc6Xdo">YouTube video</a> by "Eat the Weeds" Green Deane.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge89OVM68C0DvDrN9naHQ6fuJuJ2mTZK6m_gdoKskMj-C9zcrpeU_4T3yNjaYOkxfsY0AM-uIJGzlzIjUSXWvdyGJWlBdHuazF9YdfdSRMxFvgPLZa7xcMbqAaobinGqmHrQdEzMjF3vr_/s1600-h/4plantain_common.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge89OVM68C0DvDrN9naHQ6fuJuJ2mTZK6m_gdoKskMj-C9zcrpeU_4T3yNjaYOkxfsY0AM-uIJGzlzIjUSXWvdyGJWlBdHuazF9YdfdSRMxFvgPLZa7xcMbqAaobinGqmHrQdEzMjF3vr_/s320/4plantain_common.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332375516102122882" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Common Plantain)</span><br /><br />It seems most people are familiar with dandelions. I have been mixing in some of the greens in salads as well. I notice that plants that grow in shadier places have much less bitter leaves. Dandelions have quite a list of edible uses: Salad leaves in Early Spring, Flower buds (like the one below) can be boiled or pickled, Flowers Spring to Late Summer can be cooked as fritters or used to make wine, and Early Spring and Fall roots can be roasted and used like coffee. (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0yFeKN1Pw">Dandelion Video</a>: He can't get them to grow in his yard!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFOL0xuLj2Z4ubm6Z1ljsB9E_Shs-BoBTuI_OAYShvIQLM4H5wk40ojEAP0uEyIeifn7RcDhG_OV37TQSVXbWCT8iKmdJhL2AJ6IOh2LwQJgUmAOwqhmoPI0N_SAqrIUdJ3rAaUwgAi9i/s1600-h/5dandelion_rosett.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFOL0xuLj2Z4ubm6Z1ljsB9E_Shs-BoBTuI_OAYShvIQLM4H5wk40ojEAP0uEyIeifn7RcDhG_OV37TQSVXbWCT8iKmdJhL2AJ6IOh2LwQJgUmAOwqhmoPI0N_SAqrIUdJ3rAaUwgAi9i/s320/5dandelion_rosett.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332375510506825602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Dandelion Rosette)</span><br /><br />There are much better sources of this information than here, but since this is what I am learning in the garden I will write about it. It seems that weeding can now be harvesting :-)<br /><br />PS: While I am linking videos, here is the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb9A3vO5cHU">day-lily video</a>.ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-61784429725420279872009-04-19T19:26:00.004-05:002009-04-19T19:53:48.591-05:00Another Bee!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdAkc6unMPv4abbEXUYUTPZOWGySUbjjSo4d0-IIGxH6mmgWJr2Is5NeEJgYlrYATtm26n76J5WbP8bNOukkBTFoK6Cv6M_n4jSCK_YJidh8v2FaGBsNFcoIcrcYeQTq7dCZwXfHloMiR/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdAkc6unMPv4abbEXUYUTPZOWGySUbjjSo4d0-IIGxH6mmgWJr2Is5NeEJgYlrYATtm26n76J5WbP8bNOukkBTFoK6Cv6M_n4jSCK_YJidh8v2FaGBsNFcoIcrcYeQTq7dCZwXfHloMiR/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326568279458624066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Home from work on Friday, I was surprised to find a bumblebee in the day-lily shoots. The garden really is coming to life. I even got some gardening tasks done this weekend, including the layout of some new vegetable beds.<br /><br />I don't know if this was the bee <a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/04/crocus-and-bee.html">from the other day</a>...but it looked very comfortable inside this crocus bed...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5w4N275UVMjAn_szJXqJX9u7KUp5vHJPEgpUolwxAliQfY0iMLvuQ38xZYrj-ffwqYQ9PYalLh8q34vZAAxGha_TO-wfh4fYRFqCTOpLXMjg1aftwfcFUbmttF5y2j8g3OAN95BxKkJLQ/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5w4N275UVMjAn_szJXqJX9u7KUp5vHJPEgpUolwxAliQfY0iMLvuQ38xZYrj-ffwqYQ9PYalLh8q34vZAAxGha_TO-wfh4fYRFqCTOpLXMjg1aftwfcFUbmttF5y2j8g3OAN95BxKkJLQ/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326568274777841314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It really did not seem to have plans to vacate anytime soon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYznHNFKvV4_9c6GDB2UtJgEuhY2TBWTJYmnxNpfK8doy9LQ-n1yDeg7xDZfjMII-SPGdXqtMzG2HOx_9He8Dzzs7B-JL29H1G-BHYA-the1q7FQjX9v_yJ5Iuif_pXQ9F6Lhj1X7bLv2/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYznHNFKvV4_9c6GDB2UtJgEuhY2TBWTJYmnxNpfK8doy9LQ-n1yDeg7xDZfjMII-SPGdXqtMzG2HOx_9He8Dzzs7B-JL29H1G-BHYA-the1q7FQjX9v_yJ5Iuif_pXQ9F6Lhj1X7bLv2/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326568272429744306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The bulbs are starting to put on some nice shows...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISJzUekA6w9FkFN-WXwQGx0sRU6UJs338qaLdaJCuqT1iRQVYN7U5xM8DqGpxstdqEZLIz8JWdq0y_XTEkFgwXSmRmiCekEKYQylMiM1NgfW82bXInmsPSja_gNkW0TdEG4z-SF00juuw/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 385px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISJzUekA6w9FkFN-WXwQGx0sRU6UJs338qaLdaJCuqT1iRQVYN7U5xM8DqGpxstdqEZLIz8JWdq0y_XTEkFgwXSmRmiCekEKYQylMiM1NgfW82bXInmsPSja_gNkW0TdEG4z-SF00juuw/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326568269260824882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There is still a lot of bulb potential to keep me happy until the spring plants pop up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimElFcj9yWY554d4sIChqSh1uj9G_fFupFl3K6TiEiTX4QpeRl4EM69ezMpKiDZVi9uYKamru71f-aGJiWqFtCKwX4Xh86f6B3OTMhz4P3reAGK0aqtG5vNt4EYrl-67C9D_zzO67ghDu9/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimElFcj9yWY554d4sIChqSh1uj9G_fFupFl3K6TiEiTX4QpeRl4EM69ezMpKiDZVi9uYKamru71f-aGJiWqFtCKwX4Xh86f6B3OTMhz4P3reAGK0aqtG5vNt4EYrl-67C9D_zzO67ghDu9/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326568269691062530" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThrqZtndnN8ix4y8h9TxuxNr9rENEPczKQk_5EjNFN6-m4vEcN_xLVArbxclIhISJmKoDt-qrL5vdc2dGgWiwpR6RxMETFF3jZWb_NBRKs8AiR_RGUJxE4kDyMDXZ9mRABfGAAg_wwkMI/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThrqZtndnN8ix4y8h9TxuxNr9rENEPczKQk_5EjNFN6-m4vEcN_xLVArbxclIhISJmKoDt-qrL5vdc2dGgWiwpR6RxMETFF3jZWb_NBRKs8AiR_RGUJxE4kDyMDXZ9mRABfGAAg_wwkMI/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326568063344325026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAdGMa3FpdmkMV4Eu7OgoxnV18ea8szj_TjCRylnfVM3fiFNm4etAYKYcHHNEwCUaLSh4ZWEilQwhCL5dLl5J8kUGF1pvxrQO0Qsw5ob2REk-YyuPxQlf39SRkfSF6mgw5wAkYUlKsyux/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAdGMa3FpdmkMV4Eu7OgoxnV18ea8szj_TjCRylnfVM3fiFNm4etAYKYcHHNEwCUaLSh4ZWEilQwhCL5dLl5J8kUGF1pvxrQO0Qsw5ob2REk-YyuPxQlf39SRkfSF6mgw5wAkYUlKsyux/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326568060452778946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If the temperatures cooperate next week I should get a bit of planting done...yey!ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-72584523288452326092009-04-15T17:16:00.006-05:002009-04-15T18:03:16.399-05:00Crocus and Bee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJy2T_1CV0f1pYDos-aV4abQf57gdmD_2FlmfBgmplztEn8E2Ecfru9oQmwx_pvqshEtIWO-DMPV8DDUjEgdBpKOeXdfbA6zn1ZsrHdhDpQI-RvrNDV8xnugGtJFA_wlVU7KuUGyZtluh/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJy2T_1CV0f1pYDos-aV4abQf57gdmD_2FlmfBgmplztEn8E2Ecfru9oQmwx_pvqshEtIWO-DMPV8DDUjEgdBpKOeXdfbA6zn1ZsrHdhDpQI-RvrNDV8xnugGtJFA_wlVU7KuUGyZtluh/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325046196938066242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(bee and crocus)</span><br /><br />I am so happy! We have crocuses blooming and the first bee of the season....Time to get the bee house out/made. I decided to take a tour of the yard now that all the snow is gone and found this surprise. The first crocus bloom was actually on April 9th, which seems fairly average here. But the pictures with the bee are so much better!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPZIhJqS05E8KYMFcpQyX7-w2fPGHD7NHJ5YuonPVZO_YkTNKe857ht_LRhFOMM89n4Ay9iyGEsMWL1lza-C-WZdV30VYQOw5z9YZPDgR9LVvSUb0Jgz81pwAawNGHD6E5j_HU_zidRAI/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPZIhJqS05E8KYMFcpQyX7-w2fPGHD7NHJ5YuonPVZO_YkTNKe857ht_LRhFOMM89n4Ay9iyGEsMWL1lza-C-WZdV30VYQOw5z9YZPDgR9LVvSUb0Jgz81pwAawNGHD6E5j_HU_zidRAI/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325046191541118818" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(bee and crocus)</span><br /><br />Finally we have a few days in the 60s F. Many shoots can be spotted like this hyacinth.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObubI3FVroIReHInbzxqQNtUXP3VaNWIwJpUvYxH4wKhC2HVQt7Y-K0zM9SEkyF-lrE1S5TFWthF1moscZBbjFCCrz6Ayi0r6Z5oLHIkW5zn_wreAS2BwA6aC4HFeCDg9Wgp-2s4wWvXU/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObubI3FVroIReHInbzxqQNtUXP3VaNWIwJpUvYxH4wKhC2HVQt7Y-K0zM9SEkyF-lrE1S5TFWthF1moscZBbjFCCrz6Ayi0r6Z5oLHIkW5zn_wreAS2BwA6aC4HFeCDg9Wgp-2s4wWvXU/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325046188089942578" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(hyacinth)</span><br /><br />Chives are starting to shoot up as well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEwwAGGW5a0lpmq2odJWyyT0u-EXmyh00Ap1tnTxQQ_-4NbrgG6sqjiVwAoE3wIZ40nYj1_Gwy_q3z-tKX5u7tcZa167cvGLBqZmsw0yWNXO-HOxQKGZxoVrXn9czB4hUejrplVx4jte7/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEwwAGGW5a0lpmq2odJWyyT0u-EXmyh00Ap1tnTxQQ_-4NbrgG6sqjiVwAoE3wIZ40nYj1_Gwy_q3z-tKX5u7tcZa167cvGLBqZmsw0yWNXO-HOxQKGZxoVrXn9czB4hUejrplVx4jte7/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325046188189210962" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(chives)</span><br /><br />We added rhubarb to our garden last year...here is a shoot just starting to rise above the leaves.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRjj54z4zhmsJVq8EsJ9naWpnoGBbno9pMKYWNk6OzjddOiGrfNPvDIyJwpZoxFTzfP0eFz5wSRBBDtGQKXv3Fp3DH1rzXUGiX02UblnNkOYCtmvxEZUSwmsuPFOWzkBO35AGa1amqvUq/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRjj54z4zhmsJVq8EsJ9naWpnoGBbno9pMKYWNk6OzjddOiGrfNPvDIyJwpZoxFTzfP0eFz5wSRBBDtGQKXv3Fp3DH1rzXUGiX02UblnNkOYCtmvxEZUSwmsuPFOWzkBO35AGa1amqvUq/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325046186720087490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(rhubarb sprouting)</span><br /><br />Our only flowers right now are the crocuses. This is a new addition last fall. I like the effect of the purple striping.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiP2IzDI60RzPYhwMCmnnkzN8G0iaD9Cpz5ROvs_LtG3J6btCz6ITiwaAcQ92hC3lNBdCeL8zkhzrjyiOKLDLHfahPeQ6E-0NVnONEnXS1vhOCEPfGyTHcTRWeZHUTtFFNfIIvOEWtcKqm/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiP2IzDI60RzPYhwMCmnnkzN8G0iaD9Cpz5ROvs_LtG3J6btCz6ITiwaAcQ92hC3lNBdCeL8zkhzrjyiOKLDLHfahPeQ6E-0NVnONEnXS1vhOCEPfGyTHcTRWeZHUTtFFNfIIvOEWtcKqm/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325045768216997394" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(purple painted crocus)</span><br /><br />Here are more purple with some pure white as well...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tcipcdpi8VZ-I7c56DnIf88wjhVv-BIyFod3fa1_j0xIfOpbESHYALMoZRe-RGHAOs6hWmGJeDh9o_6WZ3uFMrPKN9mfJhHJW7P-MjjoV4fuQN7z6O4OypP7U6JNVStUbcImGAmi8ABg/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tcipcdpi8VZ-I7c56DnIf88wjhVv-BIyFod3fa1_j0xIfOpbESHYALMoZRe-RGHAOs6hWmGJeDh9o_6WZ3uFMrPKN9mfJhHJW7P-MjjoV4fuQN7z6O4OypP7U6JNVStUbcImGAmi8ABg/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325045772001585346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(purple and white crocus)</span><br /><br />Here's the first group that started to bloom - on the west side of the house. I think next year the new additions (above) on the south side might take over the honor.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBwi8FWh-cI0_wlBebwmjvX4QgDxZ9WzotTFBXfTE-b_1Msgh3-8KJpqGbLIEgW2QRddjmblPmoafOdOkfVdB0XOiDp1l9L85K1DOKX-CaP_Ll75WPwEEJBVl4KDOSk9fVXBC5RkNSucc/s1600-h/23.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBwi8FWh-cI0_wlBebwmjvX4QgDxZ9WzotTFBXfTE-b_1Msgh3-8KJpqGbLIEgW2QRddjmblPmoafOdOkfVdB0XOiDp1l9L85K1DOKX-CaP_Ll75WPwEEJBVl4KDOSk9fVXBC5RkNSucc/s320/23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325045770068214802" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(light yellow crocus)</span><br /><br />I have been reading up on that resources we might have right in our yard. I already knew a few things like dandelions are available, but here is the first prize for a "wild edible" this year: day-lily shoots. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqVo9LINRliNCwe66QJxmbzfLLtEop1lmh_N2KkQQAZtFzno0dOI7obTTbflkGKm1Fez8WCVDnbl-cJB5qePCXYDXspAU6Kfnjg5pm_-Y9yIlx6syPdUaR70bChl9mUDnFTEL1ogEZGdl/s1600-h/24.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqVo9LINRliNCwe66QJxmbzfLLtEop1lmh_N2KkQQAZtFzno0dOI7obTTbflkGKm1Fez8WCVDnbl-cJB5qePCXYDXspAU6Kfnjg5pm_-Y9yIlx6syPdUaR70bChl9mUDnFTEL1ogEZGdl/s320/24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325045777398733170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(garden bed with common day-lily shoots)</span><br /><br />[Please note aka disclaimer, eating things - especially wild plants is at your own risk. Be sure to correctly identify the plants. Also, individuals can have reactions to plants others can safely eat, so go easy at first.]<br /><br />I have read in many sources that day-lilies are edible. After checking the blooms from last year (<a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2008/07/independence-day-july.html">4th of July</a>) it looks like ours are the common day-lily <span style="font-style: italic;">Hemerocallis fulva. </span>I guess a typical urban yard fits the profile of a waste ground or disturbed land. According to my Peterson Field Guild there are many stages at which this plant can be used:<br /><br />Early Spring: Small, tender shoots in salads<br />Early Spring: Small shoots cooked like asparagus<br />Early Spring: Young tubers in salad or cooked like corn<br />Summer: Buds as green beans or fritters<br />Summer: Flowers as fritters and seasoning<br />Fall: Older tubers can be cooked like corn<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWhu_SaGss_5q4eH4-ShXUPJ1hEoXDDg6MwWdxeXU-RLBeENVZF_KZACVio1Nv2D9pd2rKiE2mD3qg9FjNUcUjIA_07IlPUcOZpvz4S_NucJVqFCwXu74OulckkmkiNJfxegjTnw1Imkt/s1600-h/25.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWhu_SaGss_5q4eH4-ShXUPJ1hEoXDDg6MwWdxeXU-RLBeENVZF_KZACVio1Nv2D9pd2rKiE2mD3qg9FjNUcUjIA_07IlPUcOZpvz4S_NucJVqFCwXu74OulckkmkiNJfxegjTnw1Imkt/s320/25.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325045773880242514" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(harvested day-lily shoot and tuber part)</span><br /><br />I have to say, the raw tubers and shoots were not bad at all and quite mild. I prefer the salad option to the cooked. I can't wait to try out the flowers...for now the next edible may be dandelion greens...ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-70980644144693914182009-04-07T18:03:00.009-05:002009-04-07T19:40:09.428-05:00April and Spring<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AGqlsxnDaUeNav8_TgvdDKh_9TUrSQY7-DB8mnBZ8RSof048YLTYBHR99gcnRu_kr9vN8Ic4dzW8Z0N23PWs8Wk-KLqwyMbBTnUM15jtVeGyxwLNlsMkTYIltBWh3cXpBpDr-GZ3zV1Y/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AGqlsxnDaUeNav8_TgvdDKh_9TUrSQY7-DB8mnBZ8RSof048YLTYBHR99gcnRu_kr9vN8Ic4dzW8Z0N23PWs8Wk-KLqwyMbBTnUM15jtVeGyxwLNlsMkTYIltBWh3cXpBpDr-GZ3zV1Y/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322106317847760770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />April is here and Spring is showing some signs of arrival. We have had a wet winter, heavy snow in spring, record river levels, and below average temperatures. Even though the yard is snowier and wetter than last year, things don't seem to be too far behind.<br /><br />Above is a photo of ladybugs in the south foundation bed -- it was actually taken March 20. It is interesting to see this bed come to life first...the beetles are the first moving insect of the garden! I really must make better use of this early bed with its heat.<br /><br />No outdoor seeding yet, things are way too wet still. I will try to transplant some lettuce this year and see if we get salads sooner than direct sowing. If that works, then I will repeat again.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa8Cp-2FtFA6euVU4hUbLoexHDrMKmQR9Cq3-mY7yI71Nny2mFWPxoWwnkFwL0sIlIhzy-S9lA5wOZYzRgAbBqbo82NpHFqS445jrtWNnvqYSnQYo0Le4wvS0w7bYj61cK61l6QkxFsmx/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa8Cp-2FtFA6euVU4hUbLoexHDrMKmQR9Cq3-mY7yI71Nny2mFWPxoWwnkFwL0sIlIhzy-S9lA5wOZYzRgAbBqbo82NpHFqS445jrtWNnvqYSnQYo0Le4wvS0w7bYj61cK61l6QkxFsmx/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322106318809080770" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(lettuce seedlings, 7 days old on 4/5/2009)</span><br /><br />Cool-season transplants are growing nicely...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYThcfci2x8B2Y79fv_4WheaWKtR_OQPlb50uVGOaC65KUhhIY9URT8pmvEC8s3tChkz9wKcY2W_d5ahVv2Bp0M2gZaEKxncosNM786xWIPkyoIC93tVsuh9125ev10hBAL4wUgmasGmp1/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYThcfci2x8B2Y79fv_4WheaWKtR_OQPlb50uVGOaC65KUhhIY9URT8pmvEC8s3tChkz9wKcY2W_d5ahVv2Bp0M2gZaEKxncosNM786xWIPkyoIC93tVsuh9125ev10hBAL4wUgmasGmp1/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322106317804728322" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(early cool-season seedlings on 4/5/2009)</span><br /><br />Some are chomping at the bit to be put out. I may start some hardening off so they can go in as soon as the garden is ready. I see some round swiss chard leaves, and the kohlrabi and kale are hard to tell apart at this point (kale is on the end).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbV8R9wI5xdZyLPc4agocsEdho5Q-yFpKMwLmNh8W2zPh0CjxoMbv84LpAOqT03MmdZuFK29TNDXbgtI9ehD89k9BSA_Sp04DcOh-AaXYxlYDItVs0CVcbR3gN4AnZiYQQzYly9mjyDsR/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbV8R9wI5xdZyLPc4agocsEdho5Q-yFpKMwLmNh8W2zPh0CjxoMbv84LpAOqT03MmdZuFK29TNDXbgtI9ehD89k9BSA_Sp04DcOh-AaXYxlYDItVs0CVcbR3gN4AnZiYQQzYly9mjyDsR/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322106319020195458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(closer view of seedlings on 4/5/2009)</span><br /><br />But, as you see - that last 12 inches of snow is holding on still. That is probably good though as the river levels are still falling (they will rise again come this weekend maybe). I do know it is spring...robins are singing, staying in the trees - what is up with all that white?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0poa5mhdCUfZ13a7WbGgST8A3bW56jhd_p_3XLPWVvSFiQpTc9Fzr7KM3unLA3emq_rb9RSjJEWzjLUoeBBgSC3uvvEJyBUGLcArT0vzLGZln-y87nhvGymG45El18mDYqq_ZQ2vamHUO/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0poa5mhdCUfZ13a7WbGgST8A3bW56jhd_p_3XLPWVvSFiQpTc9Fzr7KM3unLA3emq_rb9RSjJEWzjLUoeBBgSC3uvvEJyBUGLcArT0vzLGZln-y87nhvGymG45El18mDYqq_ZQ2vamHUO/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322106313675214178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(snow from late March storm 4/5/2009)</span><br /><br />This is the first vegetable showing its green. Walking onions I planted last year. I am hoping they will take off in their second season. I think I will be happy with this perennial giving a yearly supply.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoPb085fqzKH9GRJbZfAQPdYUyFEELyX16Ju2JVKEW7a6Q7ftjHaWrwQ1ccjoW8mjo5p6E5Z8QxmAP-xVoU-EN6qI4yY33LD6Y6H1oXM-6uowgQ77mdCc36YjZtHRJ_raqAzsGi1uCls5/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoPb085fqzKH9GRJbZfAQPdYUyFEELyX16Ju2JVKEW7a6Q7ftjHaWrwQ1ccjoW8mjo5p6E5Z8QxmAP-xVoU-EN6qI4yY33LD6Y6H1oXM-6uowgQ77mdCc36YjZtHRJ_raqAzsGi1uCls5/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322106132669779250" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(walking onions 4/5/2009)</span><br /><br />In the south bed, day-lilies are sprouting nicely. They are a bit water-logged this spring, but about as tall as last year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuyXcWaiF5EDA1-fxXxqWS8o9e7eNuZyAcHsnm9Wyz3VlrBTFtZMPoHefhWcg3wlxM_raMpcWRsBcpHpEb4W3OjIYCzpsI6KNPhhHYL04hVzzDzh-xbYsalhsQxyh6hwoHLhh7Oq0kQ7k/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuyXcWaiF5EDA1-fxXxqWS8o9e7eNuZyAcHsnm9Wyz3VlrBTFtZMPoHefhWcg3wlxM_raMpcWRsBcpHpEb4W3OjIYCzpsI6KNPhhHYL04hVzzDzh-xbYsalhsQxyh6hwoHLhh7Oq0kQ7k/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322106134691907890" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(day-lily in southern bed 4/5/2009)</span><br /><br />I think this some kind of crocus I planted last fall. Either way it was planted last fall and it is coming up now.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FWNJKgrn9unvNM6Sks7-E5djk9SKyl3VB8IL6oaCWWSo9ugFR8-asKJaR3e0L9EhjM1wAs1mqAB0m1jAFL4HAXBpVWx8UNw4WytuZJal40ysRBDGvJxobTF6aOzfX9GMWwlVPmGlhYRM/s1600-h/23.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FWNJKgrn9unvNM6Sks7-E5djk9SKyl3VB8IL6oaCWWSo9ugFR8-asKJaR3e0L9EhjM1wAs1mqAB0m1jAFL4HAXBpVWx8UNw4WytuZJal40ysRBDGvJxobTF6aOzfX9GMWwlVPmGlhYRM/s320/23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322106137776209314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(bulb in southern bed 4/5/2009)</span><br /><br />I'm getting excited to get out and plant and see what is coming back under the snow!ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-35759443765708659232009-03-19T19:18:00.006-05:002009-03-19T20:35:41.620-05:00Records<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYTQAJ5mD8iiZBzn2-5o6SxDrGryQX-wCkifZjo4EtLTKfjsy3718is6-_KTfKiBa01ilL6RqGYYGKQ-wgMEDKxhCN2rRnOMbhl4g8QX8LhslXBbKIAlq5K0-urRcMjGVhEpVCZE8EdBe/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYTQAJ5mD8iiZBzn2-5o6SxDrGryQX-wCkifZjo4EtLTKfjsy3718is6-_KTfKiBa01ilL6RqGYYGKQ-wgMEDKxhCN2rRnOMbhl4g8QX8LhslXBbKIAlq5K0-urRcMjGVhEpVCZE8EdBe/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315070893852138322" border="0" /></a><br />It was about time I got myself a little journal to keep some of our garden records in. Got the book, now I need to make sure I keep writing in it - though the blog last year has helped. Much to do with record keeping now as the spring season approaches....<br /><br />I have sown some seeds to get a start on cool season crops. Things like kale, broccoli and cabbage will go in the ground as soon as they can, which is usually mid-April. I even updated my <a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/03/planting-records-2009.html">planting records</a>! Also I am settling on where to put all of our crops this year, you can look at the current plans on the records page.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEw5LpS_TV-vKKCWibJPtnMiYUZvF5z8Ycqq0X-qWcOOZxQ0JnQKi7teuNQ3sfgl6SZi7ANpQ8wqrPYJPgZ3maa9nVWGf4gwA7IsoRZux9jSfZtR7Sxh8OOpUAqrAdUF7gZDCQgsB0iAq/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEw5LpS_TV-vKKCWibJPtnMiYUZvF5z8Ycqq0X-qWcOOZxQ0JnQKi7teuNQ3sfgl6SZi7ANpQ8wqrPYJPgZ3maa9nVWGf4gwA7IsoRZux9jSfZtR7Sxh8OOpUAqrAdUF7gZDCQgsB0iAq/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315070889027576450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We got our last order of seeds in last week from Pinetree Garden Seeds. They have some smaller sized packets for our smaller garden. I was really excited to get some Alpine Strawberry seeds. Those went in the freezer to be cold treated so that I can get them started in spring. Now we are only waiting on two crops for the garden - Sunchokes that will arrive in April from Jung Seeds and Potatoes I have yet to purchase.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlFhOSms5Kml6hIsl58Kqls8cQYunIpK50NY0d4_G5Z-9r1P0BUI996YOYc2kdM40y3r-qpMjdj08EPYuKQepoGVtgxD6oyOpnvt7SMgFU0gMddzNfhH4WQY11SLc4RFyl6KhPMwf4GYC/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlFhOSms5Kml6hIsl58Kqls8cQYunIpK50NY0d4_G5Z-9r1P0BUI996YOYc2kdM40y3r-qpMjdj08EPYuKQepoGVtgxD6oyOpnvt7SMgFU0gMddzNfhH4WQY11SLc4RFyl6KhPMwf4GYC/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315070888956098738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's been an interesting last week for weather. As I mentioned, last Tuesday (3/10) we had a blizzard with a total of 10 inches of blowing snow. This wasn't as bad as our <a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/01/winter-reports-late.html">December Blizzard</a>, but it buried the car deeper.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfPZ9TAwxxGN9eizOV5hlPmIahJcmwZI-RcXIVsldtfJLRsRLuCJPWKDVynRLw2IjvuPk2fxrMRsIbT_kZUfcU7DVdr5SDNUEQXkB-N_bsvfm0RyrypqAATgjyLqAkGYOIS445kd3r6ih/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfPZ9TAwxxGN9eizOV5hlPmIahJcmwZI-RcXIVsldtfJLRsRLuCJPWKDVynRLw2IjvuPk2fxrMRsIbT_kZUfcU7DVdr5SDNUEQXkB-N_bsvfm0RyrypqAATgjyLqAkGYOIS445kd3r6ih/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315070896561755922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After the blizzard blew through, in came the cold air... -17F in the early hours of last Thursday (3/12). That was over 30F below the average for this time of year. I guess to make up for the cold and snow, we were served with a heat wave of +47F on Sunday and Monday. Wonderfully warm days above average...but that lead to huge melt-off. The water had no where to go but our back door. Luckily the ground slopes more to the side of the house, so the water went around the house and down the street. Now we have been glad to get a couple of days back below freezing just to slow the melt some and give the water a chance to settle. It won't last too long as predictions are for warmer temps over the weekend, which might take care of the rest of the snow.<br /><br />Enough of the crazy March weather...I'm off to find a sunny and dry blog to read.ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-81622487190078395182009-03-10T09:00:00.000-05:002009-03-10T09:00:00.616-05:00Seed Orders<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEI4jbli5Xe_43HI_HrUqRGN1DVNgRpVGGt4j6Rp4jXbJQvsTy_y1PKwF-fkLKV0U3DGZf053zHdtHo0vPaE3neA6vPH7bj22_XD2N3BAy4ZHZ1_8z7urWQTxmYhBnrNRHqFmKyF2DVXt/s1600-h/P3010002.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEI4jbli5Xe_43HI_HrUqRGN1DVNgRpVGGt4j6Rp4jXbJQvsTy_y1PKwF-fkLKV0U3DGZf053zHdtHo0vPaE3neA6vPH7bj22_XD2N3BAy4ZHZ1_8z7urWQTxmYhBnrNRHqFmKyF2DVXt/s320/P3010002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309497959410129138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Since we are awaiting a blizzard today, I figured I could get a post up :-)<br /><br />We have received some orders of seeds (actually some weeks ago). This will be the first year of ordering many seeds rather than getting them at a local store - just more variety this way I guess. The two orders (of three) came from <a href="http://rareseeds.com/"><span class="semibold">Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds</span></a> and <a href="http://www.jungseed.com/">Jung Seeds & Plants</a>. <br /><br />You can find a seed list and planting records for 2009 <a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/03/planting-records-2009.html">here</a>.<br /><br />It was actually exciting to get something I wanted in the mail (not just junk). Baker Creek is a great source of heirloom seeds and non-GMO. I ordered nine packets from them and got a bonus pack of white carrots...which is funny because I was excited to try growing parsnips this year. Also among the packets are some common edible flowers I want to try.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYtm3LNZqMgFfH6N__eB3TfR21t6cBgZK5t0J9Vnds81CtHgwGqW05daznzBxdlUMKFV2TnirgC5qJ83yuGo7XsGGccd3n6nw_n2H6VYK4ho0avL7zaNkg0bYjHcamUZUM4CIPHttCjOk/s1600-h/P3010004.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYtm3LNZqMgFfH6N__eB3TfR21t6cBgZK5t0J9Vnds81CtHgwGqW05daznzBxdlUMKFV2TnirgC5qJ83yuGo7XsGGccd3n6nw_n2H6VYK4ho0avL7zaNkg0bYjHcamUZUM4CIPHttCjOk/s320/P3010004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309497959709496242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />From Jung I ordered one packet of seeds and got three additional free trial packets that I didn't expect - happy to have more seeds. I also have some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_artichoke">Sunchokes </a>coming from them later in April when I can plant the tubers - never eaten or seen them in person though. I thought they would be something new. Although after reading more, I am a little afraid....they get very tall and are difficult to remove (don't know how aggressive they are about leaving an area). I will just plan a more permanent spot for them and try to have a border.<br /><br />I can expect another set of seeds in the next week or so (weather dependent I suppose). My next task will be to get a few more starting supplies and some seeds I planned to just buy in the stores.<br /><br />As for a <a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/03/planting-records-2009.html#actions">planting schedule</a>, there isn't too much to start yet. Later in the week are some hardy plants that need more time to germinate. They can go out mid-April whenever the soil dries out some. Most cool season plants I will try to direct sow in April, though some are recommended as transplants - so I will make some indoor starts of those. Warm crops like tomatoes will be started late-April since they cannot go out until around May 25 (I don't want them to get too big indoors).<br /><br />Winter is hanging on here, so thoughts of seeds are cheery....and visiting other blogs helps too!ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-34124603176801229012009-03-08T22:32:00.012-05:002009-03-19T19:59:07.150-05:00Planting Records 2009Record of 2009 seeds and plantings. This page will (probably) be updated throughout the season as plants are added and growing notes are made. I will put a planting layout, garden information, planting dates, and a plant/seed list. Some things will be "TBA" while I get it all in order.<br /><br />Contents:<br /><a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/03/planting-records-2009.html#past">Past Seasons</a><br /><a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/03/planting-records-2009.html#plans">Garden Plans</a><br /><a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/03/planting-records-2009.html#actions">Planting Actions</a><br /><a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/03/planting-records-2009.html#list">Seed List</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Past Seasons:</span></span><a name="past"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2009/03/planting-records-2009.html">Planting Records 2009 (here)</a><br /><a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2008/03/planting-records-2008.html">Planting Records 2008</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Garden Plans:</span><a name="plans"></a><br /><br />Layout for Spring 2009:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0s-iJkTGW0kwxdeBUQ6TE8P8cdqt8_Vr6A6KH-7Rh1ZvTIRizl1aMXmCBYv6Vr3J0g0frHxUFZW44ijm516F1uO5FBbXNPH5DKqr6EkRFW4kW29aIi5L4uqSpHHMH3cT9zrC6AaXFk686/s1600-h/Garden2009-spring.PNG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0s-iJkTGW0kwxdeBUQ6TE8P8cdqt8_Vr6A6KH-7Rh1ZvTIRizl1aMXmCBYv6Vr3J0g0frHxUFZW44ijm516F1uO5FBbXNPH5DKqr6EkRFW4kW29aIi5L4uqSpHHMH3cT9zrC6AaXFk686/s320/Garden2009-spring.PNG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315065786632211714" border="0" /></a><br />(Click to Enlarge)<br /><br />Here are the vegetable beds I am planting this year. I have filled in some things like perennial crops and will soon fill in other crops. The new beds will not get started until after the ground can be worked - I will add compost and raise them.<br /><br />Additional layout notes:<br /><ul><li>I decided to put the sunchokes in a northern part of the yard (position not reflected in the diagram). This way they are far from other beds and vegetable production. </li><li>I will try to so a spring and fall planting as well as some succession plantings, so a few of the crops will change over the season. </li><li>Radishes will be planted in various spaces as they fit.</li><li>This year I will really try to get some companion planting done. It will make the new space more inviting to a the insect friends and to people. I will just have to keep and eye and make sure not to crowd anything out (I have done that in the past).<br /></li></ul><br />Garden Information (Some are also links on the right bar)<ul><li>Zone 4 (<a href="http://www.arborday.org/media/map_change.cfm">1990-2006 Maps</a>)</li><li>Dates: Frost Dates (<a href="http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/climatenormals/climatenormals.pl?directive=prod_select2&prodtype=CLIM2001&subrnum=">NOAA</a>)<ul><li>Soil Workable: April 06 - April 15<br /></li><li>Last Frost Date: May 10 (50% 32F), May 20 (50% 36F), May 27 (10% 36F)</li><li>First Frost Date: Sept 27 (50% 32F), Oct 07 (90% 32F)<br /></li></ul></li><li>Seed Germination Range by Temperature (<a href="http://www.victoryseeds.com/information/storing.html">Victory Seeds</a>)</li><li>Soil and Weather Observation (<a href="http://ndawn.ndsu.nodak.edu/">NDAWN North Dakota</a>)</li></ul>Some Useful Sites for Planting Times:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/hortcrop/h1185w.htm">North Dakota Ag-Extension</a></li><li><a href="http://carletongarden.blogspot.com/2009/02/personalized-planting-calendar.html">Skippie's Vegetable Garden Blog</a></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Planting Actions</span><a name="actions"></a>:<br /><br />Note on key dates:<br />Cool = As soon as soil is workable 4-6 weeks before last frost.<br />Warm = After last frost (up to 3 weeks later depending on crop).<br />Fall = From date of first frost.<br /><br />(<a href="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pj76QtRNIXSVkk5W2rWLSMg&chrome=false&gid=7">Open in full page</a>) [Scroll over for more rows or columns.]<br /><iframe src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pj76QtRNIXSVkk5W2rWLSMg&output=html&gid=7&single=true&widget=true" width="100%" frameborder="0" height="330"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Seed List:</span><a name="list"></a></span><br /><a href="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pj76QtRNIXSVkk5W2rWLSMg&chrome=false&gid=8">(Open in full page)</a> [Scroll over for more rows or columns.]<br /><iframe src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pj76QtRNIXSVkk5W2rWLSMg&output=html&gid=8&single=true&widget=true" width="100%" frameborder="0" height="350"></iframe>ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-79021728037800717122009-03-01T11:48:00.006-06:002009-03-01T12:40:10.701-06:00February Cactus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx1LKrsb8C37ZN6yIQAGZTUdgp57AtdhDWT0DMGMZxTHW3kd8UcUzYE2kZDmB5gDPrytqyNkO3r52LZe02m6wM_XPgCEcCQDL-rnwWN4XcB3yAmgzkQ3GgYHwxsu15HCzNZGIFY6SnAEJ/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx1LKrsb8C37ZN6yIQAGZTUdgp57AtdhDWT0DMGMZxTHW3kd8UcUzYE2kZDmB5gDPrytqyNkO3r52LZe02m6wM_XPgCEcCQDL-rnwWN4XcB3yAmgzkQ3GgYHwxsu15HCzNZGIFY6SnAEJ/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308284748477212418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This first picture is not a cactus - though those little teeth can be pointy...<br /><br />Our Christmas cactus has turned out to be more of a Valentine's Day cactus. This year the bloom opened right on Feb. 14th. I saw blooms last year around Feb. 18.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8EtcwGsIfzAECPSEWStzCnTMnUy4I4slk4RRodB2xGYWLE5NjMEw3RtyOEwREMa5IcheExzq0F7mSJmGKiOfd8c3FTNiWk4gSDdk2bKi_0-qPJuK0nY5pfslANrUwJAHJunUT9yIqkjw/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8EtcwGsIfzAECPSEWStzCnTMnUy4I4slk4RRodB2xGYWLE5NjMEw3RtyOEwREMa5IcheExzq0F7mSJmGKiOfd8c3FTNiWk4gSDdk2bKi_0-qPJuK0nY5pfslANrUwJAHJunUT9yIqkjw/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308284750585575010" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As the Winter begins to wane, I am starting to get more in sync with the blog world. Last post I was behind 1.5 months. Now, I'm down to .5 months. Maybe next post will be right on time :-)<br /><br />I tried to capture some of the differences as the blooms open out...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYNd6TaLJoHWfWLwM7QllCOXo0j5Pb_XXS1o_ehSNk8CnUROtVx-ynTb2fnAw1EYWojgbHSXRKCFMc5pmec032q2vB_xpdn40lfjOJBbVZYxLo35QyB598SI9ML5jyOjXJP7bxHtVSj_4/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYNd6TaLJoHWfWLwM7QllCOXo0j5Pb_XXS1o_ehSNk8CnUROtVx-ynTb2fnAw1EYWojgbHSXRKCFMc5pmec032q2vB_xpdn40lfjOJBbVZYxLo35QyB598SI9ML5jyOjXJP7bxHtVSj_4/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308284755887630994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I thinks it's interesting how they move from a real red to an increasingly lighter color.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVj11iyHTFUK9g3QsJQ7nF4ZBI2giLn9my3CWbwWT3zz8soVfFef17STgnGZGNtMUu60aHBFyPjVIv4E7rhOVjmUJ4tmmFDbPglqK5S54Ws1NwC5XYcv0v6drI4vaBav04IynzSBfrAgjk/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVj11iyHTFUK9g3QsJQ7nF4ZBI2giLn9my3CWbwWT3zz8soVfFef17STgnGZGNtMUu60aHBFyPjVIv4E7rhOVjmUJ4tmmFDbPglqK5S54Ws1NwC5XYcv0v6drI4vaBav04IynzSBfrAgjk/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308284756366916050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This "cactus" has a history. It is a cutting from one that my father has - from his father's funeral when I was very little. His mother plant blooms at Christmas. I guess it is the difference between light and temperature exposure.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rO-pxO_nRIPqCDaE17TeuIy3ZE_T-rd-GuVmUlZbw9z5l13p7MxL2RWfe48WR99HsP4-rK7Us3hyv5ZualZm6Cl9d-YTVoCNk7OSXcPQrEJbBbVkWd_StNaeOLukAprl5sa-5xAHw3fW/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rO-pxO_nRIPqCDaE17TeuIy3ZE_T-rd-GuVmUlZbw9z5l13p7MxL2RWfe48WR99HsP4-rK7Us3hyv5ZualZm6Cl9d-YTVoCNk7OSXcPQrEJbBbVkWd_StNaeOLukAprl5sa-5xAHw3fW/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308284764658264882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is the same photo without flash - the colors do not stand out well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAarxPbU0F7hXlqFUykTpDZ4AVhZn11RvT_whjqxJdr2pdZaBBHTSDo7NbHGt_LZNCh9uYl5amdmP69ryV9RRoB_j_84XX0EE4dyoSmfcm5ZJ4Q0sK4z6bGLRcVgVl8dqbmfbxe7VtVhGY/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAarxPbU0F7hXlqFUykTpDZ4AVhZn11RvT_whjqxJdr2pdZaBBHTSDo7NbHGt_LZNCh9uYl5amdmP69ryV9RRoB_j_84XX0EE4dyoSmfcm5ZJ4Q0sK4z6bGLRcVgVl8dqbmfbxe7VtVhGY/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308284627340008914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well, there have actually been some pretty nice days this past month. A few stretches of above freezing! Winter is holding on some with some last "arctic" air intrusions. Spring is coming though, I have evidence from the blogs I visited over the last month. I will be starting some seeds at the end of March and I see I planted peas at the start of April. Only a month awayChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-19051948574658555172009-01-29T17:47:00.007-06:002009-01-29T18:38:18.304-06:00Winter Reports -Late<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BSyk5ejV9kZ-floPA6I7Bq-lSbK5Vm1iQ5jyJwlol5oq2lSF8E8rosh8G68HwcuFxPaHHSxgERnyYtr7-4C3w3POECntolt5OH3TS0Q2WESBTOmVZ5fBQnQsVJRgYtZQnscSHLWRkJjZ/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BSyk5ejV9kZ-floPA6I7Bq-lSbK5Vm1iQ5jyJwlol5oq2lSF8E8rosh8G68HwcuFxPaHHSxgERnyYtr7-4C3w3POECntolt5OH3TS0Q2WESBTOmVZ5fBQnQsVJRgYtZQnscSHLWRkJjZ/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296873130781036370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's Winter! Well, it has been winter for a while including record snow in December and frigid temperatures in January. I have meant to do some updates these past months, but I think a hibernation mode set in once the snow started to fly. I've been visiting my favorite blogs over the winter - but have not left many comments (don't be surprised if you get comments on old posts!).<br /><br />Let's take a snowy tour of the last couple of months...December was the "snowiest" in record - at least in terms of inches of snow fall. Everything was helped along nicely by a blizzard around 12/15.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapawyEKriMEO7HYLB4UTE8Y-I0SsLFXk3hebfptVHL_EWtXDOig2JqJuyof3GG_H8rqAd9SrSHnPAmlGNvLXri0yhA8ktzgWYZp62UNWxN4NowgUAVKhmeFX-pXzeGBd7W6zSKmkAvQb9/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapawyEKriMEO7HYLB4UTE8Y-I0SsLFXk3hebfptVHL_EWtXDOig2JqJuyof3GG_H8rqAd9SrSHnPAmlGNvLXri0yhA8ktzgWYZp62UNWxN4NowgUAVKhmeFX-pXzeGBd7W6zSKmkAvQb9/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296873130534966050" border="0" /> </a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(North Dakota Blizzard 12/15/2008)</span><br /><br />It was interesting to see how the stiff North wind made the windward side of buildings and fences almost bare to the ground...meaning the leeward side got double the snow as it swirled back.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HgPvFaOv8e6BN_wBpzDWzEuaVaEaDlh8A_SVEdX6RmvvwPkVIc1rOD9mY0Y61c6UxMYu0GCyRNGFMleCNJUpgMft1Nj9X6wHBT_AzEqgVcEgPk76VKcVv67AJyCGRtoWmyqSMcfr2fWg/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HgPvFaOv8e6BN_wBpzDWzEuaVaEaDlh8A_SVEdX6RmvvwPkVIc1rOD9mY0Y61c6UxMYu0GCyRNGFMleCNJUpgMft1Nj9X6wHBT_AzEqgVcEgPk76VKcVv67AJyCGRtoWmyqSMcfr2fWg/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296873141541589314" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ__2XgQC6mDvEGaXiy9fEjP8-i5bxqJ_Wtr2sE4Ur4ZQF4Nv69l_Txxx-5_r6PtMgqsUCdjFgsWD2j4VYxed3s2sxCfHqa1DslP7inGYIKfL1y_eSaHMJtZuCnBqNqjNjUWFS3wWoaY7O/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ__2XgQC6mDvEGaXiy9fEjP8-i5bxqJ_Wtr2sE4Ur4ZQF4Nv69l_Txxx-5_r6PtMgqsUCdjFgsWD2j4VYxed3s2sxCfHqa1DslP7inGYIKfL1y_eSaHMJtZuCnBqNqjNjUWFS3wWoaY7O/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296873136530845186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My wife's vehicle was on the windward side and free of snow. My vehicle...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XMNjbgbr4Np1elYTbjfq3a0EQwxZK2xAmRYpa-jo1Bv8vJnY-EvT9CmxlHLxSBZ9LSlOSPuyaPVQqMb1KNvOpK5Nse0ySFYRRxBbVtWh_-53lEdcbgDERYarFR-cqD1kW2bxINCXgYee/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XMNjbgbr4Np1elYTbjfq3a0EQwxZK2xAmRYpa-jo1Bv8vJnY-EvT9CmxlHLxSBZ9LSlOSPuyaPVQqMb1KNvOpK5Nse0ySFYRRxBbVtWh_-53lEdcbgDERYarFR-cqD1kW2bxINCXgYee/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296873140526953426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />January has been a calmer month than December, but colder. Nice, clear sunny days didn't feel all the sunny in the arctic temperatures.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SCj1YSLIzpxnQO5kGd7UsRYE0RtdO8bdSignA8IdjYg9uQvJoAsUPqJdxXgbbWOl2HQFd9O158baGZGgbCwEHEZftrgCfOzsCSUmgG7Ooy984rqni_zSay_qHf8RNTRdKwIttCn-Jk0G/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SCj1YSLIzpxnQO5kGd7UsRYE0RtdO8bdSignA8IdjYg9uQvJoAsUPqJdxXgbbWOl2HQFd9O158baGZGgbCwEHEZftrgCfOzsCSUmgG7Ooy984rqni_zSay_qHf8RNTRdKwIttCn-Jk0G/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296872903412152226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Clear cold day 01/04/2009)<br /><br /></span>As winter wears on, the view of the car gets smaller and smaller.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHlGF7L072Tji45jf85KleDyf48f9b_WlYoTXMaMSnG8MUqJOUKn-YgVflcVeZ_r4VlQjPDx3qYEN8X1_XFJ1wPQFff2wA8dk28mdBcnc81tvepWGmwJbCR5lyIFyNA7sJ1sOPL0wzO2M/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHlGF7L072Tji45jf85KleDyf48f9b_WlYoTXMaMSnG8MUqJOUKn-YgVflcVeZ_r4VlQjPDx3qYEN8X1_XFJ1wPQFff2wA8dk28mdBcnc81tvepWGmwJbCR5lyIFyNA7sJ1sOPL0wzO2M/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296872901955742242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The dogs, especially our little one, now have tunnel-like tracks around the yard.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLL3ZK4k0hSS5nyCBt6oZ_xpmIig3OtLgw1NzrmaMcQIxMwIJ9wAg7nHEzXck0O1Oc45JUfq8zm2N8_yfpKL-4yw-4dk-xId6pIeLYUSrzSJs3BredczcHRwoOGxeT7V_m0-BolZe7s0c/s1600-h/23.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLL3ZK4k0hSS5nyCBt6oZ_xpmIig3OtLgw1NzrmaMcQIxMwIJ9wAg7nHEzXck0O1Oc45JUfq8zm2N8_yfpKL-4yw-4dk-xId6pIeLYUSrzSJs3BredczcHRwoOGxeT7V_m0-BolZe7s0c/s320/23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296872903078618114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Dakota is in her element -- she is always Queen of the Hill.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgillYJ6bwxQ2l1Wbi23rGxFL_c3MHg7AMre-6VKal36Rbas-kVS8esw_WIJCx7RLACbgfcoXNaVxhHArN5yI25QUAnJETuR0v3kWCHnAgDfdyBoQOkgnTxwPM-pQjPOWXF7DWiHEWlWiqz/s1600-h/24.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgillYJ6bwxQ2l1Wbi23rGxFL_c3MHg7AMre-6VKal36Rbas-kVS8esw_WIJCx7RLACbgfcoXNaVxhHArN5yI25QUAnJETuR0v3kWCHnAgDfdyBoQOkgnTxwPM-pQjPOWXF7DWiHEWlWiqz/s320/24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296872909157890418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The features of the garden are limited to some structure from seed heads that are not yet buried or eaten by rabbits.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDtM60Vq48KmedAX-3r3fDdUQoW5vmMg7r1BXPtamNYjuhOecqPQfs91dNs-dFrBcARjo8SdO4_DW_0_d10Kj6UIbgD4Nt7stX7HHqd1M1j_TVd3wS-pICoSGWPEZ72xfiiloMefioq5u/s1600-h/25.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDtM60Vq48KmedAX-3r3fDdUQoW5vmMg7r1BXPtamNYjuhOecqPQfs91dNs-dFrBcARjo8SdO4_DW_0_d10Kj6UIbgD4Nt7stX7HHqd1M1j_TVd3wS-pICoSGWPEZ72xfiiloMefioq5u/s320/25.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296872913762007058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I think someone wants out...only to sit in the snow.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe8DM4BPov6wDDkIdb90AiIekYN6g8iwKQep6zBy4AHP6KWqknd6KQnCJB7hqsUGyrHlEnOoa48E_oZzPyqJHIKLKkPwBjy06EVyUIZporGEreqN3ChlCXK2HBmMraSt3jJ8wjhNX-EMz/s1600-h/31.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe8DM4BPov6wDDkIdb90AiIekYN6g8iwKQep6zBy4AHP6KWqknd6KQnCJB7hqsUGyrHlEnOoa48E_oZzPyqJHIKLKkPwBjy06EVyUIZporGEreqN3ChlCXK2HBmMraSt3jJ8wjhNX-EMz/s320/31.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296872754859826210" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I would say December was a time of embracing Winter and snow. January has been a time of dreaming about the next growing season (posts about seeds and catalogs to come soon).ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-14820569556625620912008-11-17T16:19:00.003-06:002008-11-17T16:44:32.330-06:00Still Fall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyQRTW63dpP4MM4lK5GNmmq0kAhyphenhyphenT1j5cKfAX7Wf6ByOCDWRUQBKnlbHLvjr_Lm2FsRX8SULmYqGKwboW8LJthWhZKKtO9Mzar0TcIkXkElguEk8GYubrTgtqvN6bnGz9e22wwNRFjTpw/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyQRTW63dpP4MM4lK5GNmmq0kAhyphenhyphenT1j5cKfAX7Wf6ByOCDWRUQBKnlbHLvjr_Lm2FsRX8SULmYqGKwboW8LJthWhZKKtO9Mzar0TcIkXkElguEk8GYubrTgtqvN6bnGz9e22wwNRFjTpw/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269757899874373778" border="0" /></a><br />I feel compelled to produce evidence that it is indeed fall here and not the dead of winter yet. <br /><br />Yes, the days are shorter and we tend to experience snow "sprinkles" rather than rain - but it's fall. Taking walks this time of the year tends to be interesting for wildlife spotting. It's easy to spot deer and squirrels in the trees without the cover of leaves to hide them. Surprisingly I haven't really spotted rabbits near the house this fall.<br /><br />In the morning any little bit of water tends to be frozen, but the river is still flowing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN1QAs7hK-63vzCnLNa73Uq8KtCBopVgiN5j4zA6GSWuQIH_ZZp34ktmPNdMsETvip04G1qHQYb8MzMP10QQFDTdJJWstsgmESokG6vnUA_P0LfyqfhFHe5F3UWbH9tgLPw0AY315OPPT/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN1QAs7hK-63vzCnLNa73Uq8KtCBopVgiN5j4zA6GSWuQIH_ZZp34ktmPNdMsETvip04G1qHQYb8MzMP10QQFDTdJJWstsgmESokG6vnUA_P0LfyqfhFHe5F3UWbH9tgLPw0AY315OPPT/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269757896848247346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just a few leaves left in the yard. We did get a great day over the weekend to clean up most of the ones that fell in the front yard. The back tends to stay fairly leaf free on its own. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0Un6GzhFhn1YdgxJcprPZEomJ6Tur1JzOGMu5lCqZb1nuba6aMcZdHr58EDMewgDK9h7TaQ1u0Xk6fNi75rs9JvLomjwIQAUBwoIr1DyjOdPM0RUZ9-7d8I2Fn8h1YYye7h2yxVhkFQm/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0Un6GzhFhn1YdgxJcprPZEomJ6Tur1JzOGMu5lCqZb1nuba6aMcZdHr58EDMewgDK9h7TaQ1u0Xk6fNi75rs9JvLomjwIQAUBwoIr1DyjOdPM0RUZ9-7d8I2Fn8h1YYye7h2yxVhkFQm/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269757901332170498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This brings up one question I have been pondering lately - do I need to clean up my leaves? I have vaguely heard somewhere that if you have a fine type of grass that too many leaves will damage it over the winter. I wonder how much is too much...which begs the question, if grass really isn't suited to where it is (under trees) what is better...<br /><br />Highs: near 32 FChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-88704734199688168192008-11-08T10:03:00.005-06:002008-11-08T10:18:51.652-06:00What is Quiet?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchyphenhyphend43xz9xUXbmO1smLCMKH-gh87g7I22zrqpLNSLtwuVw1-S_k6RldbaGXRX6QflPwGPix5FZpjmpZz4BIbBKLZ4_Pzh7yrZJIaj6qw7_UUdut_zoFomkH7F1pPqltXgW45dFnDo3BZp/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchyphenhyphend43xz9xUXbmO1smLCMKH-gh87g7I22zrqpLNSLtwuVw1-S_k6RldbaGXRX6QflPwGPix5FZpjmpZz4BIbBKLZ4_Pzh7yrZJIaj6qw7_UUdut_zoFomkH7F1pPqltXgW45dFnDo3BZp/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266318341342089778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That's the question that came to me the other night as walked outside and noted how quiet everything was. It might have been the late hour - everyone was home from work and the sun was set. It might have been the rain - every sound seems to become dampened in the wet. Finally I knew what it was....there was no wind!<br /><br />I had become so used to the blowing and rattling of leaves and branches that it was so different for things to be very still and calm.<br /><br />As timing and luck would have it I am making a post with snow again - get used to it because it will become more common from now 'til spring. The snow we had before did disappear - really.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcOKlliPOel9V6o6wEX-yAOsupm8d1ujwkLu5hzoXMKYp_pY1OPTgee7EaS_3CwdpqWc2hmfBGPKJ9NmqamZBDrU-1PUs7fC-rdNzxLDf1OEx9fGO9298AbBGtqI2Ujj6DHL4QWYTKqy8/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcOKlliPOel9V6o6wEX-yAOsupm8d1ujwkLu5hzoXMKYp_pY1OPTgee7EaS_3CwdpqWc2hmfBGPKJ9NmqamZBDrU-1PUs7fC-rdNzxLDf1OEx9fGO9298AbBGtqI2Ujj6DHL4QWYTKqy8/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266318347584657298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We are on the lucky side of things...no blizzard with 50 inches here. Just rain and now a small amount of snow.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTonX8cXGookSDbxO272bPWjhpXkv-DQ4-iXyenCbOEJCj4nEhunbZa1Em4HocZHMOvB2UfL7WsJ0blwwXf6xdxKaAmS8j-QylJzr1ah9mmKO6sgr_xuLx-QGFzDhBOqqEE4GUiywek1nb/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTonX8cXGookSDbxO272bPWjhpXkv-DQ4-iXyenCbOEJCj4nEhunbZa1Em4HocZHMOvB2UfL7WsJ0blwwXf6xdxKaAmS8j-QylJzr1ah9mmKO6sgr_xuLx-QGFzDhBOqqEE4GUiywek1nb/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266318345831124626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There are some awards for plants that have stayed around longest through the frosts...raspberries (can't wait 'til next year when we get to harvest them).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMq4OcCYcT-7m0_GLq9-CQBHONturZiOnaQ1EQXsnt0tnxhM-khQZpTtHqzcJPeMDk6MdOToizLIl-z96ET1gcRk7mr4dSzCr6KkwgyxOZIEJThRwJqK8OquFk5Z5tpyqjit_A5BBNYJy/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMq4OcCYcT-7m0_GLq9-CQBHONturZiOnaQ1EQXsnt0tnxhM-khQZpTtHqzcJPeMDk6MdOToizLIl-z96ET1gcRk7mr4dSzCr6KkwgyxOZIEJThRwJqK8OquFk5Z5tpyqjit_A5BBNYJy/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266318354368828546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Curly parsley has proven fairly hardy as well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJp4i5ouq7Ti9nwmKVD3omEjoZqKDlWDvXvmNWHhlYlVM9rmy1BwpQ4iQ4ZjSzZQYBLrpk3YkeT1-ngeFM9XJ0tE_SngveeGbSj6OAt6tsnmX8IdSJkqO19gMq6xVQFYrHXFsZwgejuwX4/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJp4i5ouq7Ti9nwmKVD3omEjoZqKDlWDvXvmNWHhlYlVM9rmy1BwpQ4iQ4ZjSzZQYBLrpk3YkeT1-ngeFM9XJ0tE_SngveeGbSj6OAt6tsnmX8IdSJkqO19gMq6xVQFYrHXFsZwgejuwX4/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266318358066032818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The swiss chard near the house has also survived.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhqA_wuWspqoaxoQKJJzN4mWiyAr4zLz9Zh1mKRTS-O0sgDMPuGmcB41yhPrqvmd6Mew_8e6ncxR9ZklMPzHiLPdrurGCLCJ_WkI0VB2TlSyQlmQGXx_lId4Br_s5luL8toWV6CQ5mlfb/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhqA_wuWspqoaxoQKJJzN4mWiyAr4zLz9Zh1mKRTS-O0sgDMPuGmcB41yhPrqvmd6Mew_8e6ncxR9ZklMPzHiLPdrurGCLCJ_WkI0VB2TlSyQlmQGXx_lId4Br_s5luL8toWV6CQ5mlfb/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266318219068843282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and let me know...how to <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span> know when it is really quiet?ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-30473463466900077082008-10-26T15:02:00.004-05:002008-10-26T15:17:47.675-05:00First Snow 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgaX0whz5_4IFjpgQWnY4YYKE5HsitF_OusjRrS_zAPdwAguqJ18b25jKvtG6QUIyWVHBG7HjOgorLY1iucPY6aLcE_kiaTDGBh4MNnUzyYrp9Bocdwgjuo-PEUpi0dPOmmkNM_fUrmdT/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgaX0whz5_4IFjpgQWnY4YYKE5HsitF_OusjRrS_zAPdwAguqJ18b25jKvtG6QUIyWVHBG7HjOgorLY1iucPY6aLcE_kiaTDGBh4MNnUzyYrp9Bocdwgjuo-PEUpi0dPOmmkNM_fUrmdT/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261556131482646802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I will call this our first snow of the season...with a howling wind, we received a bit of snow that is sticking around for the day. I'm sure by tonight it will be mostly gone. Next week is supposed to have some pretty nice days, so this will not last - but it's a first look.<br /><br />Dakota was not too excited yet...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN98L1Txy368A1NAKAroFBXiEwAPeF1mUavWAdZeSS-QHMReTBgQWxhyrVZ8bQUSmSuVl-dOfJzeytleKKOwZz73piErLSDn1Ro3yxt8j-jOaaODpnDCd00mBek43313LmwDjltGWbtOjW/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN98L1Txy368A1NAKAroFBXiEwAPeF1mUavWAdZeSS-QHMReTBgQWxhyrVZ8bQUSmSuVl-dOfJzeytleKKOwZz73piErLSDn1Ro3yxt8j-jOaaODpnDCd00mBek43313LmwDjltGWbtOjW/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261556141751862162" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Snow covered most of the plants today - I think many will suffer from the snow and overnight freeze.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0hJDlRzl0vH5rcAHRgKHD7yE5ZDxVjY6oUmFH-yMqTEo9VvEz9m9iijVmYJZi6evU7G5XWxjLvSTPzarGNWYjhq451q9tvT3CqXXGInc64pi4YY18cbsZ92b8Odm2BISpbugJAt2NBfI/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0hJDlRzl0vH5rcAHRgKHD7yE5ZDxVjY6oUmFH-yMqTEo9VvEz9m9iijVmYJZi6evU7G5XWxjLvSTPzarGNWYjhq451q9tvT3CqXXGInc64pi4YY18cbsZ92b8Odm2BISpbugJAt2NBfI/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261556138893766626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A few days ago it was rain we had, and the last late flowers were still trying to race the freeze. I think some have missed their deadline to produce seeds...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XfNyX5tvqs0yeFRQ6gXUkZSRSBBLremGw20Z761sHBzI5okz30xfAlOL4pr_McLh8mcKNisWy5sYMfUJLoKqxDpqhvc1PRyfI8GHamJqGPWbvQnQEzSvamcwcNfBDlGDTgHPQADUnll-/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XfNyX5tvqs0yeFRQ6gXUkZSRSBBLremGw20Z761sHBzI5okz30xfAlOL4pr_McLh8mcKNisWy5sYMfUJLoKqxDpqhvc1PRyfI8GHamJqGPWbvQnQEzSvamcwcNfBDlGDTgHPQADUnll-/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261555976828858178" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPbw-SI3hYIS5AhB6K-nmDeh7J_EcLzlwDCPcgxGMeGqt3MbEsYV8Sb7BESJkgmxEs8Rjzd8sKV2cgWtUZeixN4gj53W4hd4mmX6qSzDqeB7kJcCZOj7rm51RqRB_551knf7FJTfZPKpX/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPbw-SI3hYIS5AhB6K-nmDeh7J_EcLzlwDCPcgxGMeGqt3MbEsYV8Sb7BESJkgmxEs8Rjzd8sKV2cgWtUZeixN4gj53W4hd4mmX6qSzDqeB7kJcCZOj7rm51RqRB_551knf7FJTfZPKpX/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261555981975641218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The sunflowers did produce, and birds are happy<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIiN_q6Ks3Dkn1HDyn39P3J-ek6Avxlr7i-Ocl_sdHPVRhvpId_T9QuQYGHUgccOG6ClecMqNpzecFzZJE6yv9wnnirO1jJxPUUslDNlqdvekVK1RC0gHafc4-ZQVYAxyc4H-ZIdgb4HG/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIiN_q6Ks3Dkn1HDyn39P3J-ek6Avxlr7i-Ocl_sdHPVRhvpId_T9QuQYGHUgccOG6ClecMqNpzecFzZJE6yv9wnnirO1jJxPUUslDNlqdvekVK1RC0gHafc4-ZQVYAxyc4H-ZIdgb4HG/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261556143843025026" border="0" /></a>ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-4018831451962590222008-10-21T18:54:00.004-05:002008-10-21T19:10:37.187-05:00It's Fall...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSrwyOFojlj0hJPPUHagfKJElgS5cn2EQC1RxiSnO3YSdSPRRQhqJPCrBpHbkktvqMzRsDwBeWtQV5QhY4TWrWox4rIaTRfZJHkRl3Jf50GoVGTgpsndQndSGHkZfEYNqYTuJyvmUI2vP/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSrwyOFojlj0hJPPUHagfKJElgS5cn2EQC1RxiSnO3YSdSPRRQhqJPCrBpHbkktvqMzRsDwBeWtQV5QhY4TWrWox4rIaTRfZJHkRl3Jf50GoVGTgpsndQndSGHkZfEYNqYTuJyvmUI2vP/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259760483586197394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...And I am falling behind in my garden updates. I will try to make some posts even into the winter, but as you can tell I have slowed down a lot from Spring.<br /><br />This time of year the garden is moving into hibernation and the weather is turning. The fog above is my breath Monday morning - our first frost to hit the car windows. We've had a couple light frosts, but this was the first I had to scrape from the windows.<br /><br />The grass was highlighted in white, although many protected areas did not get condensation this time. Today many very tender plants like Basil and Tomato have been killed. Many hardy and semi-hardy plants are still fine.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeJ2AS0ghlcepJp3qUR49YhT0yUdUA7N1Nqv56ZMI8Z0wJTkPDptKG09pJcqVYrBfpbrLM6Mj0vUFLCFjmkLoQL-Ea9ILqdy9M7jgYftewDwblAoRhKYEQqJo9ZEXq8Jv-dRZpDkHJLo2/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeJ2AS0ghlcepJp3qUR49YhT0yUdUA7N1Nqv56ZMI8Z0wJTkPDptKG09pJcqVYrBfpbrLM6Mj0vUFLCFjmkLoQL-Ea9ILqdy9M7jgYftewDwblAoRhKYEQqJo9ZEXq8Jv-dRZpDkHJLo2/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259760486406178098" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ah, the autumn...the last warm sunny days are great with smell and sounds of fallen leaves.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSz7r6nlES-p93nEgsDz0omXWzgOiPGGEsrwVV_K3d8qTJHVpZyiE71zABVdX_CWB1mY49wxMtkivunPlai78KLhHaaPDt2cUUfDbv9FFLK6gH1Pceitp_cmwq76kCyWw8PYL2D7EGtO-/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSz7r6nlES-p93nEgsDz0omXWzgOiPGGEsrwVV_K3d8qTJHVpZyiE71zABVdX_CWB1mY49wxMtkivunPlai78KLhHaaPDt2cUUfDbv9FFLK6gH1Pceitp_cmwq76kCyWw8PYL2D7EGtO-/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259760488608044306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The sound of little paws crunching though the many piles brings a smile.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPYZygDwKzWklIU6wAdWE9VDsN0_SO8TQ_mSWKXT1TQJ72cnhYP-hdkuIn5T7HWqa3RtzMoT9M3_F7U18zcXZIt3P6TJES2R_IvcY97g583bD7o3dmUem6deSqod_04xdLmjDLJfJHB8u/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPYZygDwKzWklIU6wAdWE9VDsN0_SO8TQ_mSWKXT1TQJ72cnhYP-hdkuIn5T7HWqa3RtzMoT9M3_F7U18zcXZIt3P6TJES2R_IvcY97g583bD7o3dmUem6deSqod_04xdLmjDLJfJHB8u/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259760494513410386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Red River of the North had a late flood this year with a very wet September.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnArWeRSKYYfhF7kjj2DvXQnsJK3QsHkr9DFsRNHyi_eKKFliV_G4ObGtA8LG337dq-uzrA6lWStrwdnc0Ll9pktSqyFurTBN3ldqcReXA-svbs87GAhVjOOtprZZ5eT1Krag8reU4Vyk/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnArWeRSKYYfhF7kjj2DvXQnsJK3QsHkr9DFsRNHyi_eKKFliV_G4ObGtA8LG337dq-uzrA6lWStrwdnc0Ll9pktSqyFurTBN3ldqcReXA-svbs87GAhVjOOtprZZ5eT1Krag8reU4Vyk/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259760502052167810" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3KUv6_ZtOotP-6kqQnbvb_GKtiXnZnooSchthMvfQyLt4TsmiQWK26hC9soRWqSb9wbar4pS4NxeKniqjHkoyeDZ3H2vCtXoRtJuerI_apyT1ZKxfQNrpyFQQ2J4frFoUvg2CfFcOmfB/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3KUv6_ZtOotP-6kqQnbvb_GKtiXnZnooSchthMvfQyLt4TsmiQWK26hC9soRWqSb9wbar4pS4NxeKniqjHkoyeDZ3H2vCtXoRtJuerI_apyT1ZKxfQNrpyFQQ2J4frFoUvg2CfFcOmfB/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259760301320137154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just last week the river was about 7.5 feet above flood stage - enough to cover no parking signs on the low roads. If I recall this was close to a record for fall. Today it is below flood stage until Spring.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNvMbbXuSnhx1Ig0cl0EbdJIiOSeEob_qeUythmw2LjyEKF-rxN1wX5LppahPAL4uVtG8Gl0js6uFmH-m46SfRwXOJgpqt4o-KoEKqduDCue1usxZfCeLleYYXToXhx0R80YjjByNnwzg/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNvMbbXuSnhx1Ig0cl0EbdJIiOSeEob_qeUythmw2LjyEKF-rxN1wX5LppahPAL4uVtG8Gl0js6uFmH-m46SfRwXOJgpqt4o-KoEKqduDCue1usxZfCeLleYYXToXhx0R80YjjByNnwzg/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259760309168927026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well that's my update - now I need to visit all of my bogging friends out there.ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-85287173961556361802008-09-24T16:29:00.007-05:002008-09-24T22:11:03.753-05:00The Little One<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0jMDHz0h8lycUl4yy-RgS6S6oxeGkpGHzHnTaqmriNgh_JGMtXdKze_8k2LVXeAGVUly-lyWFdspZGdH2mtVjfkYxJcBu3P17HkuOwJHCeftvAW4aYGdNf0yd-LeG6lbjQMXnmS4nloJ/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0jMDHz0h8lycUl4yy-RgS6S6oxeGkpGHzHnTaqmriNgh_JGMtXdKze_8k2LVXeAGVUly-lyWFdspZGdH2mtVjfkYxJcBu3P17HkuOwJHCeftvAW4aYGdNf0yd-LeG6lbjQMXnmS4nloJ/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249703673971139490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Okay, by popular demand this post includes a picture of our new addition.<br /><br />These two get along pretty well - like sisters.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfj2my6MV2khKxiK72hSTDy-2dkr0pWQEyacMIikTbFQRFIYJjpRX-DLh6sR_rii2bKv9nk5DEq6NQIO750XLlko9hpCGlhynUp0x6V_3QloskJG2nRwTk6NwfumHtYDCkfdUsIknAqyh/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfj2my6MV2khKxiK72hSTDy-2dkr0pWQEyacMIikTbFQRFIYJjpRX-DLh6sR_rii2bKv9nk5DEq6NQIO750XLlko9hpCGlhynUp0x6V_3QloskJG2nRwTk6NwfumHtYDCkfdUsIknAqyh/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249703682242012114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They love sitting in the yard and finding new things...here is a Monarch that decided to hold on here.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U6QzxTfNk43ZnKe25H39OII0qTqPRsDBPNM_Sd62qWOODNowPoyeRN72GJnC9544sd7_voFY5Xr0cqmzV3XGh0Gar5IazOtHZwx3wZNH5bt_ZMoMbqTKZqHzXmZfaPZDQerZTKSyZQla/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U6QzxTfNk43ZnKe25H39OII0qTqPRsDBPNM_Sd62qWOODNowPoyeRN72GJnC9544sd7_voFY5Xr0cqmzV3XGh0Gar5IazOtHZwx3wZNH5bt_ZMoMbqTKZqHzXmZfaPZDQerZTKSyZQla/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249703681536789586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The aster is starting to bloom...once it's a mass of purple it looks great.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOovyK0Hp4P0Ixw8VwabklOAF_BYlFvjNldFg2GoKjyV1eq9pvOkCRgT5hp4KbmiZPsuIahuNWWaFmEKesMXAqsguxbjCqJM5CSIXMu1Bps-hwvBHJ4Q7GPXKvirZDqXtzPH7QxeDNUAY/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOovyK0Hp4P0Ixw8VwabklOAF_BYlFvjNldFg2GoKjyV1eq9pvOkCRgT5hp4KbmiZPsuIahuNWWaFmEKesMXAqsguxbjCqJM5CSIXMu1Bps-hwvBHJ4Q7GPXKvirZDqXtzPH7QxeDNUAY/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249703685448474578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A late planting of seeds has filled in.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXne-KZsubOl1rbKMLHZYQmfVkUesWokVjLvseFavqIBgbed1x5chM31mWxJjv2f5wFJ01nIsLR2aMorXF-57AZ0850qF_878ua0jBZMBXDFDIlZxfQG4v8mKLzNjVLVD28JneGPJBvAr/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXne-KZsubOl1rbKMLHZYQmfVkUesWokVjLvseFavqIBgbed1x5chM31mWxJjv2f5wFJ01nIsLR2aMorXF-57AZ0850qF_878ua0jBZMBXDFDIlZxfQG4v8mKLzNjVLVD28JneGPJBvAr/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249703510727951282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The adventurous dogs wanted to come with on a second visit to the grasslands...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBaXYVWctpj3RrjiSro7nFU_Fqgl-MCtYkXiO-Ey9mkgVKud_G07VbSktZV171y3RbazIKN9n6VU4rC0cYU_AHXPS0tanNg5tmjV6AP8t4jVkA8Jbq0UsvATm4MqIGMyd40HIqe47mBo/s1600-h/23.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBaXYVWctpj3RrjiSro7nFU_Fqgl-MCtYkXiO-Ey9mkgVKud_G07VbSktZV171y3RbazIKN9n6VU4rC0cYU_AHXPS0tanNg5tmjV6AP8t4jVkA8Jbq0UsvATm4MqIGMyd40HIqe47mBo/s320/23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249703496325459522" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn3vqbvYJRS8m6yizVsJP07dqItLxwbtWVOyGgIviyT2Qlg3znzrd9lywAfYw1U-ZJrLrp-VORWDotUEQw2fEvnlC3FZjz8cTysW2KC53ShTefRDCp7Xjr1K-MGuTWOVPKNxfECLiCi07/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn3vqbvYJRS8m6yizVsJP07dqItLxwbtWVOyGgIviyT2Qlg3znzrd9lywAfYw1U-ZJrLrp-VORWDotUEQw2fEvnlC3FZjz8cTysW2KC53ShTefRDCp7Xjr1K-MGuTWOVPKNxfECLiCi07/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249703504055088594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Some great views again...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEgWW3NpX7uq1xDitF7l_iIipGE4abqMWyazAo3Vlgo2uTgR21I46pQY8D-plaWJmfhlraO3ngumEN2rWZFbI5OyQAEo3hkbQYY0ns7ySc6nio9mFG54XyGEVyF8NvanBw3NpWEc2nTE/s1600-h/24.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 447px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEgWW3NpX7uq1xDitF7l_iIipGE4abqMWyazAo3Vlgo2uTgR21I46pQY8D-plaWJmfhlraO3ngumEN2rWZFbI5OyQAEo3hkbQYY0ns7ySc6nio9mFG54XyGEVyF8NvanBw3NpWEc2nTE/s320/24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249703496725084098" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Also a bit of the insect life...this moth really caught my eye. I almost ran over this spider walking - <strike>having</strike> haven't seen ones like this in the yard.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkgXEXXBOQxpulVdihOd-RZrWguYaoajAxcI1oB5Jj5bGiFJPnkcyjGt2Fw2gdPgXdX5x2FLDdkERw4uvVjYKqM06Wh4v-uSLThsi2QM-J292clIl7n-ZGK0rcHA11FJKrZcIc8nSoyvE/s1600-h/25.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkgXEXXBOQxpulVdihOd-RZrWguYaoajAxcI1oB5Jj5bGiFJPnkcyjGt2Fw2gdPgXdX5x2FLDdkERw4uvVjYKqM06Wh4v-uSLThsi2QM-J292clIl7n-ZGK0rcHA11FJKrZcIc8nSoyvE/s320/25.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249703487111737634" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm2TzLhLe1i8v2QALOSiSVSzrz4YzXha3ewsCWR6-acBiXw8VZiFFcwI5-KYJGezR5ALBpvnwVimVwv7Y0Hfan3sBe9a_IYTBpr3qF8BDY_tZVYhoTazz7qVR7bRqAQPDDJ-Smj3VPFs/s1600-h/31.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm2TzLhLe1i8v2QALOSiSVSzrz4YzXha3ewsCWR6-acBiXw8VZiFFcwI5-KYJGezR5ALBpvnwVimVwv7Y0Hfan3sBe9a_IYTBpr3qF8BDY_tZVYhoTazz7qVR7bRqAQPDDJ-Smj3VPFs/s320/31.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249703371157254706" border="0" /></a>ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-32691240513812672872008-09-15T14:09:00.007-05:002008-09-15T15:06:56.262-05:00Late Summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjOL0-5yzd-9p7VeIO2edOKBnyOkRQJqeHYN3cO3QdNyhMRaDTtYD3f106S0KPRKdO0-vzUOQHvlZbCZQ9bzeyhjC07SDqRn2aIJyHAjVLErbY3U73ZuJFZ0SdcsAUrp1CAZ1-lSFUaI/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjOL0-5yzd-9p7VeIO2edOKBnyOkRQJqeHYN3cO3QdNyhMRaDTtYD3f106S0KPRKdO0-vzUOQHvlZbCZQ9bzeyhjC07SDqRn2aIJyHAjVLErbY3U73ZuJFZ0SdcsAUrp1CAZ1-lSFUaI/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338733324987170" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's a late summer update of my garden...The bees have appreciated the sunflower blooms I have in the garden. Some of the plants look nice and others look a little worn.<br /><br />Here the bumblebee is sharing with the smaller bees.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvJ0XVeUYPQ-Onudr4hLrruTKhky3bpzTcDajhsbrsF9dlO1JeBW2RYMYOZEJkrW5LPiOfZ6DMTt8CP0BZRWHJgJDSV6eRnzqdcJlKR0ssiAr43p7bp7jBYrK5lpCK2a_6KegeIAButc/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvJ0XVeUYPQ-Onudr4hLrruTKhky3bpzTcDajhsbrsF9dlO1JeBW2RYMYOZEJkrW5LPiOfZ6DMTt8CP0BZRWHJgJDSV6eRnzqdcJlKR0ssiAr43p7bp7jBYrK5lpCK2a_6KegeIAButc/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338735289545410" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A pretty shot of the ornamental.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwluV8JVrPJDeAxsE3HKK18lzKJo1MOASgUyOMEFCcMR1dx08eGB1260HBnmJTh3NOe2Qbv0e5c9Kyi517OE4Xqyq4JAVSTqRXqkVL1BVPgqcItiTIHF93J_hMeL0I6oMHngbPwSbOhw/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwluV8JVrPJDeAxsE3HKK18lzKJo1MOASgUyOMEFCcMR1dx08eGB1260HBnmJTh3NOe2Qbv0e5c9Kyi517OE4Xqyq4JAVSTqRXqkVL1BVPgqcItiTIHF93J_hMeL0I6oMHngbPwSbOhw/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338740135254882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A giant edible sunflower...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAVrT18oKzbkG0MDv-SVpf3WGD3wh7MPf8mg7-c1qnv6t3eplUPsNeQTObpg16Qe_Gcp4UVvwBt5znTvxFy-6mKjN1JVwHCCtBwT6WroLhPQq7IzEWasUMnwKr_UjDfzD_GY6P7SqaIk/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAVrT18oKzbkG0MDv-SVpf3WGD3wh7MPf8mg7-c1qnv6t3eplUPsNeQTObpg16Qe_Gcp4UVvwBt5znTvxFy-6mKjN1JVwHCCtBwT6WroLhPQq7IzEWasUMnwKr_UjDfzD_GY6P7SqaIk/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338740994683282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The head is large and heavy on this plant. In the background you can see the 13 foot tall reaching to the sky.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-sCGEgPPEoEWRR9eEHN8Ipkan4bYT3V6qf9oY_5WPsTiwGxMdHMZkjuJyHSrsTvGvFzA7FszibmCpHLEYcy0cObC5F-YnsXFpaYoGSvXcJErdOny7xwOsESiGX-ss2Xbckc74sUnetI/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-sCGEgPPEoEWRR9eEHN8Ipkan4bYT3V6qf9oY_5WPsTiwGxMdHMZkjuJyHSrsTvGvFzA7FszibmCpHLEYcy0cObC5F-YnsXFpaYoGSvXcJErdOny7xwOsESiGX-ss2Xbckc74sUnetI/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338743668090258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Swiss chard is still growing just fine.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN5hqDnuZwxLYglgoh_oJmrWYrJ0URNjM9fGzeFjDm5lyIr6XcMIbHMxJwAnbYncKvXYenJNVaHs9TFy-Ai6SlxuwbHemzFAinVnSr1FdcrCIWBU7Nr1jb9ifuihS9vDmssqgv_Qjaog/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN5hqDnuZwxLYglgoh_oJmrWYrJ0URNjM9fGzeFjDm5lyIr6XcMIbHMxJwAnbYncKvXYenJNVaHs9TFy-Ai6SlxuwbHemzFAinVnSr1FdcrCIWBU7Nr1jb9ifuihS9vDmssqgv_Qjaog/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338616044488498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our prized spaghetti squash - well it's our only one of note right now.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSomcCbN17-7ToU7y4RooswcrIvugbIGe__B_DWJI7gbGY3QwitPkgKprWc-08Atap6gXfTJvfnP2-PLaUs1KeVyopGJ-rc7AJc6GFfgh4844tFgLIuufc81qoNTqtPUD_4AOdWwlSx4/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSomcCbN17-7ToU7y4RooswcrIvugbIGe__B_DWJI7gbGY3QwitPkgKprWc-08Atap6gXfTJvfnP2-PLaUs1KeVyopGJ-rc7AJc6GFfgh4844tFgLIuufc81qoNTqtPUD_4AOdWwlSx4/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338613211725746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What do you know, my stunted cucumbers do have some fruit!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoP2zTow-4tSNRuV2Upg_lRU0Ux9PmzzDAgQ7JBywsjrSvA85hHJWJ8V4eLJhFOarLEkbUPboUqE-3_xd0kg_F7PmzjYQBVmd2dHRUVvfgU_75110UO2tpsNUsaO2NoppHtp4K-3axFEE/s1600-h/23.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoP2zTow-4tSNRuV2Upg_lRU0Ux9PmzzDAgQ7JBywsjrSvA85hHJWJ8V4eLJhFOarLEkbUPboUqE-3_xd0kg_F7PmzjYQBVmd2dHRUVvfgU_75110UO2tpsNUsaO2NoppHtp4K-3axFEE/s320/23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338617695416578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is strange - we have June bearing strawberries and there are few scattered berries for the fall.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN86ImeKJR4v7DZOQw7w_CXGoAYMMqSLDwv5CFBGMmgWgxYwrsQebbsP0OlTh3oFUR2zl8pdEtYHGophmeP_ZKLrchSDcB1Qw10H1RGV0SBxwIO-lqIM9s_6rYLtA5hrHGQVa130MoDjE/s1600-h/24.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN86ImeKJR4v7DZOQw7w_CXGoAYMMqSLDwv5CFBGMmgWgxYwrsQebbsP0OlTh3oFUR2zl8pdEtYHGophmeP_ZKLrchSDcB1Qw10H1RGV0SBxwIO-lqIM9s_6rYLtA5hrHGQVa130MoDjE/s320/24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338622961983762" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We obtained two varieties of rhubarb early in the summer. Next year we should have a good harvest. Not sure which will taste better...I like the red look better.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPCfr5Nkmpo_9PNFKXms-hhIplzqRhq0ERX_TsYmfyVjaNJkvObdIOm5eWzCxDLdStM5lhpglwpcwocy6Y_XdWx-fIoLx8bGzRcwLbSn8wu0woDlXXdVlgKoz47vf8r4GzZC01Kq4b6Q/s1600-h/25.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPCfr5Nkmpo_9PNFKXms-hhIplzqRhq0ERX_TsYmfyVjaNJkvObdIOm5eWzCxDLdStM5lhpglwpcwocy6Y_XdWx-fIoLx8bGzRcwLbSn8wu0woDlXXdVlgKoz47vf8r4GzZC01Kq4b6Q/s320/25.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338622063000994" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDaCULFevZcSlzRZzs2Vf-iPNwlmyh5OzS99M4FQi4Srdie4o5ypyXvkbeWnnOD2GI6tAzgKcP1mott7k696YUUJjcmFaEgVmMNcbdkQJvrQLZc7cOsmdENo_V-KbkHphq4ZEbhslVt8/s1600-h/31.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDaCULFevZcSlzRZzs2Vf-iPNwlmyh5OzS99M4FQi4Srdie4o5ypyXvkbeWnnOD2GI6tAzgKcP1mott7k696YUUJjcmFaEgVmMNcbdkQJvrQLZc7cOsmdENo_V-KbkHphq4ZEbhslVt8/s320/31.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338193702573842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The parsley and basil...the dog and puppy couldn't resist getting in a shot. Dakota is a very nice big sister to our new miniature Dachshund puppy (10 weeks old) in the lower right.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCQLfgUtjwdIekRdX1l21VBl9xIKdtmDjw5jITCGtEF336OeHeOJ7zSC6Efk1yLRBtEtrYIFbGZMUaPnzzehkU1hyphenhyphenSRPyV0_nFQOM4Hr-pQ44r0YYiBrghWnE5Q4hD0afmCAXSvjdTGw/s1600-h/32.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCQLfgUtjwdIekRdX1l21VBl9xIKdtmDjw5jITCGtEF336OeHeOJ7zSC6Efk1yLRBtEtrYIFbGZMUaPnzzehkU1hyphenhyphenSRPyV0_nFQOM4Hr-pQ44r0YYiBrghWnE5Q4hD0afmCAXSvjdTGw/s320/32.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338196139325394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A strip of marigolds that worked out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqevBaI7jetd7UU0SQq95BIDua0SUavwg60TqPNDLRZbdmSWbndLlnM0W2fjR2V0zpcv-mbvR_8uwHJRpCPA_V3gLEU8reXyNnzWcMUYn82blahhCZsmlS483RRc8Ea_0vZlui2c-C5M0/s1600-h/33.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqevBaI7jetd7UU0SQq95BIDua0SUavwg60TqPNDLRZbdmSWbndLlnM0W2fjR2V0zpcv-mbvR_8uwHJRpCPA_V3gLEU8reXyNnzWcMUYn82blahhCZsmlS483RRc8Ea_0vZlui2c-C5M0/s320/33.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338196181965474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The aster is just starting to bloom...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3sTMIuE1GSzoGFto0YyqUTvoi6rLVtP6c51EoeKJ2IfCoDEfstsNUvsDhHX9ItLx8hyphenhyphensp7f9tyeYajfp-h8MIxy2WPnciImpQHTUKmuKFG-Q-JFBCqVP6k6jxmt35mP2koOIJ-Ohb6I/s1600-h/34.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3sTMIuE1GSzoGFto0YyqUTvoi6rLVtP6c51EoeKJ2IfCoDEfstsNUvsDhHX9ItLx8hyphenhyphensp7f9tyeYajfp-h8MIxy2WPnciImpQHTUKmuKFG-Q-JFBCqVP6k6jxmt35mP2koOIJ-Ohb6I/s320/34.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338200771352402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Some things are still waiting...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2S9L2GreE_IuwuKtk4uAf7SgQlaNttMUaMi_e9Wev56K3lcqV3N1yJrMWdCD-LnZsR2GBa-qTW-M6yiVCiqvwQfVEWgpiGaKD0AB6-2ssyYrTqh1n_fMav8Dhjm98RrRkoh86jXHDL8/s1600-h/35.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2S9L2GreE_IuwuKtk4uAf7SgQlaNttMUaMi_e9Wev56K3lcqV3N1yJrMWdCD-LnZsR2GBa-qTW-M6yiVCiqvwQfVEWgpiGaKD0AB6-2ssyYrTqh1n_fMav8Dhjm98RrRkoh86jXHDL8/s320/35.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338201393831186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's a shot of my "hidden" sedum...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGw8l-hRQ-tbbXj0YbqhaFyemAYEA_HbuYQp01VwZiNbj3I2DBxmiwLjaPQrRuJMkGSs8BOOLrRzMAwekvgJI4EhTdIx9IsUfwJ0BoX5syHymbxFUSNz2_3G4IOBqounNTi3dJuAEVejQ/s1600-h/41.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGw8l-hRQ-tbbXj0YbqhaFyemAYEA_HbuYQp01VwZiNbj3I2DBxmiwLjaPQrRuJMkGSs8BOOLrRzMAwekvgJI4EhTdIx9IsUfwJ0BoX5syHymbxFUSNz2_3G4IOBqounNTi3dJuAEVejQ/s320/41.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338070926173410" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This plant is past it's prime, but I always like it in bloom and it has great leaves.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiVoV0OkZOqkNeWIAuTMh4fjIiSj-xhK3nlJGNqZwuXMNSLfwCGZZ-SVx2TK2R9NYohL_lFCcEo7R1btQpJ01jlW6pQyCjhhDM1HqEHhkk_-Yl_1SA68xSlnCAdYmmS_BLuQoFyC7Ur4/s1600-h/42.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiVoV0OkZOqkNeWIAuTMh4fjIiSj-xhK3nlJGNqZwuXMNSLfwCGZZ-SVx2TK2R9NYohL_lFCcEo7R1btQpJ01jlW6pQyCjhhDM1HqEHhkk_-Yl_1SA68xSlnCAdYmmS_BLuQoFyC7Ur4/s320/42.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246338079229040226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well that's my update...seems that this time of the year is my slow blog season (well lazy blog season). Thanks!ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-18256567526324569532008-09-08T15:45:00.007-05:002008-09-08T17:13:36.067-05:00Sheyenne National Grasslands<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOKOAwH96OQqL3PCCZ68yleUgdZZiPLKl7pnuvFZbMfX95i1rnVjH0pjFgNp9AmsG8q02dBDqbbJTvOBwUAcYfJgrsTAP-N_2h8KN64rGRUwFYjlxhQIMqPmAsAhQbKfgjDSxctZrmUA/s1600-h/34.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOKOAwH96OQqL3PCCZ68yleUgdZZiPLKl7pnuvFZbMfX95i1rnVjH0pjFgNp9AmsG8q02dBDqbbJTvOBwUAcYfJgrsTAP-N_2h8KN64rGRUwFYjlxhQIMqPmAsAhQbKfgjDSxctZrmUA/s320/34.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243771843701278274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well, it's been a while...again. I could write a post about how well the carrots are this year, the kohlrabies that were okay, and the three great tomatos. I could show how disappointing the bush cucumbers where (none) or the couple squash that grew (wonder if it was the <a href="http://chrisnd.blogspot.com/2008/07/sunday-safari_27.html">squash borer</a>?). There are many great blooms that have presented themselves, like our 13 foot tall sunflowers! And of course the various missing Sunday Safaris (I still have been looking at them).<br /><br />But today I will write about my overnight hike in the Sheyenne National Grasslands of North Dakota, which is part of the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands organization. Primarily I followed the trail segment that belongs to the North Country National Scenic Trail....a hiking trail in progress that reaches from North Dakota to New York. The grassland trail used to be 25 miles end-to-end and is now about 30 miles. I had planned to "yo-yo" the route and have my wife pick me up at the drop off point, but 1) I planned for the 25 mile route and 2) I haven't conditioned quite enough to make a 30 mile a day pace. I took a 23 mile and a 13 mile day.<br /><br />The grassland home to the threatened Western Prairie Fringed Orchid and the ND population of prairie chickens (grouse). Apparently you can also find Dakota Skipper and Regal Fritillary butterflies at the right time of the year. I plan to return when I can spot these.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-W98iE02qLIlAEDGsngRRxzTyArnUX3zkw2wBiGpP1Cmr0balA34f0rrcECcpmoWQbBLoxTzzvbPNrlRSqUZcfQWwR60UIcsfwBcYAcm6M_BZKR409EQ4D7QGUGZ8vf8gacr90mx40A/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-W98iE02qLIlAEDGsngRRxzTyArnUX3zkw2wBiGpP1Cmr0balA34f0rrcECcpmoWQbBLoxTzzvbPNrlRSqUZcfQWwR60UIcsfwBcYAcm6M_BZKR409EQ4D7QGUGZ8vf8gacr90mx40A/s320/11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243773291404426322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Apparently we are to be on the lookout for invasive weeds: purple loosestrife, saltcedar, yellow toadflax, and spotted knapweed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXhSnnIoAd4R3aOC4VnYvNXsYZNx8c9EfbkpZkP4D3d6CXYRn87eE_r4pR7yuFqhyphenhyphenjU2WfyOZm-I1XD4RzP_RS9aLPoZmBod5E0DvoHq_JHI1Dos9BkeUIL7gOpvBowCfcOpWYyuBI3M/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXhSnnIoAd4R3aOC4VnYvNXsYZNx8c9EfbkpZkP4D3d6CXYRn87eE_r4pR7yuFqhyphenhyphenjU2WfyOZm-I1XD4RzP_RS9aLPoZmBod5E0DvoHq_JHI1Dos9BkeUIL7gOpvBowCfcOpWYyuBI3M/s320/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243773293600727922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The grasslands were really great and gave me a new perspective on my gardening goals as well. I mean, even when we "work with nature" in the garden we really aren't out to totally reproduce it (at least that what it seems).<br /><br />This gives an idea of the trail surface and the marker posts for the North Country National Scenic Trail.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgGXkg3ID80AJKCUwBQYAznVJwsuNxrjVtNrqShZXNiMSMTCrrnSSYssgVzt8-0NoaklsBeT64k_1O7fTrWzMKp0LPliTRp_AQyMJrlCLN2F8gsDPE9qzE9nKYZ1v2GwGqbiH1w4ZG0E/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgGXkg3ID80AJKCUwBQYAznVJwsuNxrjVtNrqShZXNiMSMTCrrnSSYssgVzt8-0NoaklsBeT64k_1O7fTrWzMKp0LPliTRp_AQyMJrlCLN2F8gsDPE9qzE9nKYZ1v2GwGqbiH1w4ZG0E/s320/22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243772596647511922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Close-up of the NCNST symbol.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1mh3LegMoUl5ASFmPh8IwH5taQ3MYkkqZRGmQBPRs1v2dhZ5WSdTjTuzzx91ypiTKiz3zLPgzmvqz1dGktoUvjCRoWD5qAfWz5apzombjTBOwFgrhkof3KchAZYe9D8lRP5H22-VLKo/s1600-h/13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1mh3LegMoUl5ASFmPh8IwH5taQ3MYkkqZRGmQBPRs1v2dhZ5WSdTjTuzzx91ypiTKiz3zLPgzmvqz1dGktoUvjCRoWD5qAfWz5apzombjTBOwFgrhkof3KchAZYe9D8lRP5H22-VLKo/s320/13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243773298183235810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Many "self-closing" gates blocked off sections for cattle grazing. You had to be a little quick to get through before the spring bounced the gate back.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmUejlVn04aj8HLkxSjVrSdP7gpBRbGMKY__l3xNTGHbudXi30c-UCQa8eLIl5ADNKzrDNKp7DbLNMJP-KRe15vsmx46AhE7yEyPE20-W4fWMC3pfYcnjuPcKEcXT0YNyvm8-RiRKsU8/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmUejlVn04aj8HLkxSjVrSdP7gpBRbGMKY__l3xNTGHbudXi30c-UCQa8eLIl5ADNKzrDNKp7DbLNMJP-KRe15vsmx46AhE7yEyPE20-W4fWMC3pfYcnjuPcKEcXT0YNyvm8-RiRKsU8/s320/15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243773303000779746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The windmills were the main water source in the area. At least the water is pumped from a pipe in the ground.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBkj_O1C5db6I85IKl7nG3F8cpUsdAi3jVuInBOyRaK5C4ASJFPmL3cns2ZQvTkWrFlNfr0VCPV4qqvguQ6ZBtSzkIHN_VRSlENTOT7e0Cq0cdnFacNnkZsYvpe8Cw8epFlZeUm6Sag8/s1600-h/33.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBkj_O1C5db6I85IKl7nG3F8cpUsdAi3jVuInBOyRaK5C4ASJFPmL3cns2ZQvTkWrFlNfr0VCPV4qqvguQ6ZBtSzkIHN_VRSlENTOT7e0Cq0cdnFacNnkZsYvpe8Cw8epFlZeUm6Sag8/s320/33.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243771839896932914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These hills were painted red.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm76Jg7K7YABWq7x12BO_I1gYZm19R75wMiWDvQvlVaPCYWEAim0C75_4i9nq8Opmg5kS4O-SmGNuBXSYGq29e9hgM694puA8RANP89CZszFt67MpFcLzMT6bq0-Jk_TmLOjf85TU-RM8/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm76Jg7K7YABWq7x12BO_I1gYZm19R75wMiWDvQvlVaPCYWEAim0C75_4i9nq8Opmg5kS4O-SmGNuBXSYGq29e9hgM694puA8RANP89CZszFt67MpFcLzMT6bq0-Jk_TmLOjf85TU-RM8/s320/14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243773303276360642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the rolling hills area...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5o9ijwxeB2w2WIqVNzi-s8q6kbGSp9QpvXlcb7FRZkiYoBHzaeF3y2S2Wtc6tOSOttTkM9IqRZ21L8pXVSohS3257PM-WY6TMF73oJ1AGdHsvS1U1_Z3BQGj77U1RKj3364SRSzrjZxo/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5o9ijwxeB2w2WIqVNzi-s8q6kbGSp9QpvXlcb7FRZkiYoBHzaeF3y2S2Wtc6tOSOttTkM9IqRZ21L8pXVSohS3257PM-WY6TMF73oJ1AGdHsvS1U1_Z3BQGj77U1RKj3364SRSzrjZxo/s320/21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243772590493726850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Know what this is?... It's a red ant hill.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RqHvImRf-lsxJZswDTlBTrBJXWoWYmLHYpE_q_LEc9ARYJmeHwH8kPQqa8NskZkwgjRSWyl6vKYTwMDUmOu_ot1k_NWyZWBLQUg2_isFoJKc-2dhLyS0aHY2aRUvMh9L18PTuUQqULE/s1600-h/23.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RqHvImRf-lsxJZswDTlBTrBJXWoWYmLHYpE_q_LEc9ARYJmeHwH8kPQqa8NskZkwgjRSWyl6vKYTwMDUmOu_ot1k_NWyZWBLQUg2_isFoJKc-2dhLyS0aHY2aRUvMh9L18PTuUQqULE/s320/23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243772599706728290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There's varmints out there...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu6tN6KPz1FQbEXc2UgWaBBKbeXIq6ZmcYxi_NMCWMK8LkrBppCXFQn78O65kcY-cSKo0831qDr-mD6z4jRzaqOMrInPkU4OPMouRAM42D5Cymby26NLcXSn3_awR8gbI6vpAGTUbzEw/s1600-h/24.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu6tN6KPz1FQbEXc2UgWaBBKbeXIq6ZmcYxi_NMCWMK8LkrBppCXFQn78O65kcY-cSKo0831qDr-mD6z4jRzaqOMrInPkU4OPMouRAM42D5Cymby26NLcXSn3_awR8gbI6vpAGTUbzEw/s320/24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243772602085824898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I think it's a prairie chicken feather.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfiInhrDe0EYEdRpMjwv9qHzphe-rThi6eDi6ejji2Mep1ff4UcKPFzr2A8SYRkAaVlNovIxkp2VIxTRXzNYYcT1mIqigxqNj2V7mBaPU_z0qDIfH6q19YXp5qftB5zsXqq9lJ1pT_1g/s1600-h/25.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfiInhrDe0EYEdRpMjwv9qHzphe-rThi6eDi6ejji2Mep1ff4UcKPFzr2A8SYRkAaVlNovIxkp2VIxTRXzNYYcT1mIqigxqNj2V7mBaPU_z0qDIfH6q19YXp5qftB5zsXqq9lJ1pT_1g/s320/25.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243772609901378338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Was this an omen or something?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTvaUcqPs5YExmIgC8JQJQZMsm8pOV39ii1KjOIdSHmg1pV3Hlg2pmj6MEG1yHnDriAkSIhwLmv8yfVq0sr7x0ZAOTOrnxvuQSTlhOPf83WmS_zkR72g_ibpd9FXM79gNNJUXbMAHykY/s1600-h/31.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTvaUcqPs5YExmIgC8JQJQZMsm8pOV39ii1KjOIdSHmg1pV3Hlg2pmj6MEG1yHnDriAkSIhwLmv8yfVq0sr7x0ZAOTOrnxvuQSTlhOPf83WmS_zkR72g_ibpd9FXM79gNNJUXbMAHykY/s320/31.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243771834057105954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is little guy was crossing the trail as I was nearing the end of the hike.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFAtthgrLoe5k6SoLEijT505ZDm2SjbjDKMVaNHXz1m949asCe6oqCQNv4DB-OZZFnoOnabWRuk_7tKdmND8m30P_mqCXC9UZbaVBDDkbaS7N4JoYSShDx8ipyGj8jLTtkO-SI3pGOGE/s1600-h/32.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFAtthgrLoe5k6SoLEijT505ZDm2SjbjDKMVaNHXz1m949asCe6oqCQNv4DB-OZZFnoOnabWRuk_7tKdmND8m30P_mqCXC9UZbaVBDDkbaS7N4JoYSShDx8ipyGj8jLTtkO-SI3pGOGE/s320/32.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243771838500457842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A small stand of pine didn't quite fit in, but it was a welcome cool from the hot prairie on the second day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgZeYgXs2gwiBqUY1HTmmjzVtHF442zbmnwdYBwdng-Az1rX0sw7CEM1EwB0rKTzs_sRYhqQt-7n0BE9Y_8Hyutqss-RVs_8NTKCraJ3mwEr7Axxl3KygT-z8PyhRfndoj8kj-G_16Z8/s1600-h/35.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgZeYgXs2gwiBqUY1HTmmjzVtHF442zbmnwdYBwdng-Az1rX0sw7CEM1EwB0rKTzs_sRYhqQt-7n0BE9Y_8Hyutqss-RVs_8NTKCraJ3mwEr7Axxl3KygT-z8PyhRfndoj8kj-G_16Z8/s320/35.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243771848278986738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The flat prairie section, can you spot the "evidence" of cattle in this section?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7D2oj3nn0fZfd3MIL21F5wY595LeGrd9eNep4fzZ6kUWDVx3lMZmFaEpWxNf4ck6X1WXG6shOML9HX4tNb5neTaPeQnJEmV5HRLC03bETkWS6RVUBoVbMVZtso8NaaOU3nzT6U95HQw/s1600-h/41.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7D2oj3nn0fZfd3MIL21F5wY595LeGrd9eNep4fzZ6kUWDVx3lMZmFaEpWxNf4ck6X1WXG6shOML9HX4tNb5neTaPeQnJEmV5HRLC03bETkWS6RVUBoVbMVZtso8NaaOU3nzT6U95HQw/s320/41.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243771211586471426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Great grass view.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbafzeyv84DyJDJv10RSR5m7qoQYumpGLbTggoaT4jWstU6mFnF3bz0zTqMfF90eO-g9k3u2bow58OgeaRahqEf1cLQoC2pjJpXlgwlGU4xxYkbca7douOIwX-1twv5i53r2pSFbcrFPo/s1600-h/42.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbafzeyv84DyJDJv10RSR5m7qoQYumpGLbTggoaT4jWstU6mFnF3bz0zTqMfF90eO-g9k3u2bow58OgeaRahqEf1cLQoC2pjJpXlgwlGU4xxYkbca7douOIwX-1twv5i53r2pSFbcrFPo/s320/42.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243771212119788194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A bridge in the grassland.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOaW2UIapmlUnjQFk5h2WSf2CJZ2B2KH1h4j8Plip7xvvXSBQTIdKGKuECXCVd3bJ3_33MRGugwLRiTi-3rldlN0V_Dhta63BE5UfqpXqWPFAgeEPVQySzAqOWGzzYFdVb7Bp-Abw38I/s1600-h/43.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOaW2UIapmlUnjQFk5h2WSf2CJZ2B2KH1h4j8Plip7xvvXSBQTIdKGKuECXCVd3bJ3_33MRGugwLRiTi-3rldlN0V_Dhta63BE5UfqpXqWPFAgeEPVQySzAqOWGzzYFdVb7Bp-Abw38I/s320/43.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243771219937113538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The dew on the grasses gave an interesting look in the morning. Not a great experience to hike in wet shoes. Now I know what to plan for next time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJSdwf5Bft0o_Gqcfkm53T1DE0-uwKeeInhnelhMCKYyAcPxpDy0nh7ElUFO5o908gknawbljLJw2zIJdH7HvpPsofSSU08Upwls5jfDsc4mU0lS6HKSeAcBNSyv_dgBRpu6nzGMtyik/s1600-h/44.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJSdwf5Bft0o_Gqcfkm53T1DE0-uwKeeInhnelhMCKYyAcPxpDy0nh7ElUFO5o908gknawbljLJw2zIJdH7HvpPsofSSU08Upwls5jfDsc4mU0lS6HKSeAcBNSyv_dgBRpu6nzGMtyik/s320/44.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243771220779472290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A marker at the west trail head.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjney5sv2Opv95bovhCNTC-hoO8-4GJVvnNXQ_Cybo9DKQ23AceQKyACtqwBl_dHyba2QiYqL29dGDkQHs3WVHhMvWhi4fD4f_O3FsNkzC99NS9azKWuPo1T_DSmU285eQBBtYpuBpe8E0/s1600-h/45.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjney5sv2Opv95bovhCNTC-hoO8-4GJVvnNXQ_Cybo9DKQ23AceQKyACtqwBl_dHyba2QiYqL29dGDkQHs3WVHhMvWhi4fD4f_O3FsNkzC99NS9azKWuPo1T_DSmU285eQBBtYpuBpe8E0/s320/45.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243771223471145378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here are a few plant shots I took while hiking...<br /><br />How could I miss a prairie rose in the prairie?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7bIkIorSsbNKxYmw1pJouKdvriDrpv8449DPNIDcQQSLI18VpNqjLqqFKdke2S6f4QkCkOiYdG2eh4WHpeXYVZxOGHMEpodG7ndPgRXe-uZ-HzobDr7m5TAxuhzG-ufi_qZMn6nfMeI/s1600-h/51.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7bIkIorSsbNKxYmw1pJouKdvriDrpv8449DPNIDcQQSLI18VpNqjLqqFKdke2S6f4QkCkOiYdG2eh4WHpeXYVZxOGHMEpodG7ndPgRXe-uZ-HzobDr7m5TAxuhzG-ufi_qZMn6nfMeI/s320/51.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243770300833189810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These are the sumac (I believe) that gave the hills a red color.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mwo7JPyeWH8TuS96walq5wnYM2eQdVI2w1cZLqgvGG6jdV2LqTafA6JoKbEm80ozsfaksap9UqjegArKfsgcXLd0Xo4UwGCehEaim-1FPjbD02cX03cNJ2NZ49cdq63eDwbDhGk8znY/s1600-h/52.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mwo7JPyeWH8TuS96walq5wnYM2eQdVI2w1cZLqgvGG6jdV2LqTafA6JoKbEm80ozsfaksap9UqjegArKfsgcXLd0Xo4UwGCehEaim-1FPjbD02cX03cNJ2NZ49cdq63eDwbDhGk8znY/s320/52.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243770302684332754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Some flowers...notice the sandy condition of the soil. This is why the land never worked for farming and one reason it is federal public land now.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXYkuPSepwi1MqTRDqu-_AMXdzN7RjoLzLUUyebnfKCea4K8iXNtGB0TAuPZsmj93UXKOZcxeklBLk8M8AOHizim_IelLchvlyLdN9vp9jircFkE_-Tb40TvOTFClAs6tTqNSKdJvk8k/s1600-h/53.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXYkuPSepwi1MqTRDqu-_AMXdzN7RjoLzLUUyebnfKCea4K8iXNtGB0TAuPZsmj93UXKOZcxeklBLk8M8AOHizim_IelLchvlyLdN9vp9jircFkE_-Tb40TvOTFClAs6tTqNSKdJvk8k/s320/53.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243770306599411202" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIV7zDCQkrlFrXkZWxPxnzLJ_8sY7V1r2oTZfcMtpYOgXf4goTIA4l57LC8O-_KilV1KgrVa3e8F1AB2hHi5hx2EZYDgxYwLOUcp9FdePEr9P59ut8Did57W7mQ-iCvx8qT09x-qAY_w/s1600-h/54.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIV7zDCQkrlFrXkZWxPxnzLJ_8sY7V1r2oTZfcMtpYOgXf4goTIA4l57LC8O-_KilV1KgrVa3e8F1AB2hHi5hx2EZYDgxYwLOUcp9FdePEr9P59ut8Did57W7mQ-iCvx8qT09x-qAY_w/s320/54.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243770308851897762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OS7S0UqFtS89En1Iv1yFTYgD_2OF-ARZqDxnj-ZCmNwm0CDfh2EM6q1M35wrhnSgO7sb_k0LpWNQZRg-0d_CApRGCtJJcB1ntXEywnR-X1ZZs8MvJzirRdJDIfZSs22gO6MvMepHe7w/s1600-h/55.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OS7S0UqFtS89En1Iv1yFTYgD_2OF-ARZqDxnj-ZCmNwm0CDfh2EM6q1M35wrhnSgO7sb_k0LpWNQZRg-0d_CApRGCtJJcB1ntXEywnR-X1ZZs8MvJzirRdJDIfZSs22gO6MvMepHe7w/s320/55.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243770313610783298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />It was a bit of an adventure that let me test the hiking waters - it wasn't the middle of nowhere, really. I could get phone coverage on hill-tops standing still. Any direction was only a few miles to a road that would lead to a town within a day.<br /><br />A great hike and excellent conditions for late summer. Day one was overcast with little wind and no rain. Night was crystal clear with bright stars visible - something you don't get in town. It was a bit chilly at night, but I was toasty in my sleeping bag. I could hear sounds of wildlife including coyotes.<br /><br />Human influence could still be seen...some windmills and fences. Disappointing to see a couple of beer and soda cans on the trail. At first I was upset to see all the "evidence" of cattle in the various sections - but then I learned that the cattle perform a role similar to the bison of old.<br /><br />Thanks for walking with me!ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4510067827082775363.post-47482277736049727402008-08-28T10:46:00.002-05:002008-08-28T10:59:26.449-05:00Butterfly Caterpillar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYz5LViAMmehaoJllUO7Qs3C7CB7_xFrjcN0VqAU-ljUzPvZ4LHxvOfSBmNmvNW0ZoVnLdk2mw4RBLFgYuMYwtIVyoG6DxIdJp9BSTX5UDhV6u_K3uNcMbbBkc15u2QBO1_Jm0PoT8dw/s1600-h/1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYz5LViAMmehaoJllUO7Qs3C7CB7_xFrjcN0VqAU-ljUzPvZ4LHxvOfSBmNmvNW0ZoVnLdk2mw4RBLFgYuMYwtIVyoG6DxIdJp9BSTX5UDhV6u_K3uNcMbbBkc15u2QBO1_Jm0PoT8dw/s320/1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239596258673198274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(black swallowtail caterpillar?)</span><br /><br />I'm so excited! We were out playing with the dogs and I spotted this caterpillar in the parsley...I'm pretty sure I never saw the mother (or the father for that matter)...but I wonder if this is a black swallowtail caterpillar. That would be so great -- well it will be great whatever it is.ChrisNDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197758051567332010noreply@blogger.com11