Yesterday I went into the garden -- literally for the first time this year. The snow is nearly all gone and the gates are finally freed up. It was nice to walk around and dream of green.
The grapevines sure don't look like much at this stage, do they?
Despite (or maybe because of) being buried under two feet of snow for weeks on end, it almost looks like the rosemary made it through the winter. Usually it dies.
It's time to trim out the raspberry canes.
We're seeing these guys everywhere. Their hibernation is over.
Nothing stirring yet in the garlic boat, but then again it just emerged from the snow blanket.
But I pulled back a corner of the hay mulch and saw this, so it's just a matter of time.
In the orchard, the trees are budding. This is a plum.
The young hazelnut trees have catkins. We haven't gotten any nuts yet, but maybe this year?
The corn tires need cleaning up after last year's harvest.
Nothing in the strawberry beds yet, but as mentioned, they just got free of their snow blanket a few days ago.
The pond is absolutely brim-ful.
There's a still a bit of snow clinging to the north-facing slope by the water.
I scared up a red-winged blackbird from the cattails, where it nests every year.
It's always nice to hear the frogs -- a definite sign of spring.
Soon, very soon, I can get the garden planted and it will stir to life once again. Ah, spring!
How do you keep the chipmunks out of your garden? They destroyed mine last year.
ReplyDeleteIt's impossible to do anything about the chipmunks. They cause a lot of damage in our garden as well.
Delete- Patrice
Outdoor cat! I never knew how much ours helped until we lost him 2 summers ago. I know he would leave "gifts" for me outside just to prove he was helping, but once he was gone it was open season on my garden. This year we have a cat lurking around. He isn't ours, but I leave food for him when I can. I'm hoping he takes the hint and patrols my area.
DeleteAwesome pictures. You have captured Spring awakening in the Redoubt. It won't be long until we can start working on firewood for next winter.
ReplyDeleteMontana Guy
All of the birds are back. Every morning I hear the woodpeckers and see the blue jays and cardinals. I planted a bunch of seeds inside so they have started to sprout. Not much happening outside yet.
ReplyDeletehow did you keep the drip irrigation system from freezing? did you blow it out with air?
ReplyDeleteYes, we use a compressor in the fall the blast air through the system. Seems to work.
Delete- Patrice
For the sake of my sanity I can't wait to get in the garden. Going for more quality than quantity this year. Cutting three rows out of last year's 15 to give more space between the plants, hence more sun. Blueberries, raspberries, black berries and muscadines are showing good promise so far. Onions and garlic are looking really good. Carrots and beats are coming up. Getting ready to get laid off again so I'll probably have more time to work it.
ReplyDeleteLove my barn cats. They kill rodents, are pretty much feral and all they need are warm boxes, food and water. Mine really like kippers and sardines too as a reward.
ReplyDeletePlanting potato rows, onion sets and lettuce this weekend. Your tractor tire beds are a great idea!
ReplyDelete