Downriver 2023 - Garden Adventures

[Downriver]

Since the weather has warmed up somewhat, I moved the tomato plants outside to the carport as well. They are not in very good shape, for some reason. Spindly, weak, even frail looking. I'm hoping being outside with Mother Nature taking over will bring them up to a healthier place. I need to inventory the tomato plants to see what I have left. I'm not too worried, there's still plenty to fill up a few rows. Pics coming soon.

 

[Downriver]

Do to some family issues over the last month, the status of the garden cleanup hasn't changed. I've only been able to spend a few hours on it thus far, but now I can get back at it full time. I need to. Plant-out will be in the next week or two.

So, one of the first things to do is get the electric fence-line cleared and back in working order. The other day I was mowing around the outside of the fence and about 15' in front of me I noticed a vole (field mouse) come out of is hole, kinda jump up in the air, then disappear back into his hole. A few seconds later he ran back out, did a small circle, then disappeared again. At first I figured it was the vibration of the mower. Then, the more I thought about it, I remembered another thing that makes them nervous. Sure enough, I looked down the fence line and there he was.



That's five foot of black snake, and I couldn't see his head. He had already started to go under a board along the fence. I hope that vole packed his bags, because Mr. Snake looked hungry, lol.

 

[Tinkerbelle]

eeeeeeeep

 

[Downriver]

By the way, Did y'all know that to increase the size of your peaches, you're supposed to thin the fruits on the tree when they're the size of a quarter, or less? Well, I'm new at growing peaches, and I didn't know until I read an article by the University of Florida. You get less fruit, but the fruit you harvest should be larger and of better quality. I figure they know better than I. So, I grab my eight foot latter and head out to "thin". Several hours later, and with a crook in my neck from constantly looking up, I finished ONE tree. We have two trees. Not sure the other one will be thinned, ha. This better work! lol

The beginning...


...the end. All peaches are now spaced at least 6-8" apart. Woohoo! Makes my neck hurt looking at 'em.

 

[ahayastani]

Looking at the peaches... *dum* *dum* *dum* And neck hurts?

 

[Downriver]

So, I did finish clearing the electric fence the other day. Went over and turned it on and it worked! No repairs required. I'm shocked! (see what I did there? lol)

 

[Downriver]

The sugar maples are finally done dropping their helicopter seeds. It was a bumper crop this year. Those things sprout everywhere. The garage gutters are full, even the back of the old pickup. Anybody need a sugar maple lol.

 

[ahayastani]

Anybody need a sugar maple lol.

I loved those as a kid though