February 8, 2023

Red-winged Blackbirds Return Early

It’s been a really weird winter. Hardly a winter at all. I’m hoping the wild flower seeds I winter sowed will get enough cold time to germinate. January 2023 was the the fifth warmest on record in Boston, Massachusetts and we have had almost no snow. Today we are making a run at 50 degrees F and Friday 60! Oh my. The good news for plants is that we have had plenty of rain (bad news for me is way too many cloudy days.) I like to keep an eye…

February 16, 2021

the middle of winter

I certainly feel like it’s the middle of winter right now. We’ve had 25 inches of snow in the past couple weeks, only a couple days with blue skies, but fortunately not too cold for having fun snowshoeing with the dogs. I think this is why Valentine’s Day comes at this time – it’s the time for chocolate and … well… hanging out with the special someone before you get all busy with planting, transplanting, growing, weeding, harvesting, canning, cooking…… Cheers to the icy season!

March 23, 2020

a dusting of snow

A little bit of snow on my garden. I thought it looked pretty. It will go away soon as we are expecting lots of rain tonight. I don’t think we have had snow here since last Nonmember and December. What an unusual winter and spring.

February 25, 2020

red-winged blackbirds arrive

I was so happy to go down to my garden and hear the red-winged blackbirds had arrived. There were many of them all around the pond, singing away. I wish I could get a picture of them. A flock of Canada geese arrived yesterday and are adding their honking to all the noise. It’s warm 50F, but cloudy today. Rain is on the way. I like to keep track of when the blackbirds arrive. I’ve added 2020 to my list: 2009: April 9 2015: March 27 2016: March 5 2018:…

December 3, 2019

snowy day

We have a foot of snow on the ground now, very early for us. It’s still coming down. Very pretty.

September 14, 2019

another full harvest moon

Its a full harvest moon tonight. I’ve pretty much harvested everything for today by now. Its chilly. Time to hang out inside. OMG old times with Neil Young! Harvest Moon. Come a little bit closer Hear what I have to say Just like children sleeping We could dream this night away But there’s a full moon rising Let’s go dancing in the light We know where the music’s playing Let’s go out and feel the night Because I’m still in love with you I want to see you dance again…

March 22, 2019

spring!!!

The first day of spring – one of my favorite days! I have 8 trays of seedlings planted so far. Some are doing very well. A tray of wild flower seeds I collected are taking their time to sprout. No problem. Sometimes these take 30 days or so. I am working on planting my tomato seeds now. A few days late now for me. I have the pots clean and set in trays. I’ve pulled out the seed packets I’ll plant. Maybe I’ll have time to plant tomorrow morning. Tomorrow…

March 12, 2019

red-winged blackbirds return – a sign of spring

I was surprised to hear a red-winged blackbird today. Everything is snow covered and seems quite wintery still. I looked up when they returned to my yard in previous years: 2015: March 27 2016: March 5 2018: February 25 2019: March 12 I also looked at the site Journey North, a citizen reporting site. These dates fit with their observations. Some springs are late, some early. This looks like a pretty average one based on the blackbirds.

January 1, 2019

Happy New Year

Today is the first page of a 365 page new book, a 365 day new garden season. A new slate, fresh soil, new plans to make. May all your New Years dreams come true.

November 23, 2018

Thanksgiving

Max Coots: A Harvest of People Let us give thanks for a bounty of people: For generous friends, with smiles as bright as their blossoms. For feisty friends as tart as apples; For continuous friends who, like scallions and cucumbers, keep reminding us that we’ve had them. For crotchety friends, as sour as rhubarb and as indestructible; For handsome friends, who are as gorgeous as eggplants and as elegant as a row of corn; and the others as plain as potatoes and as good for you. For friends as unpretentious…

weeks and counting until my last spring frost