June 26, 2012

more rain

We’re alternating between hot humid days and rainy days. The thermometer in my side yard garden registered up to 110* F in the sun this weekend. Today, temperature is down but we have had rain all morning and evening. The slugs and snails are very happy about this. I bought some Sluggo yesterday. It says it is “organic”. In the past I’ve used a more aggressive slug poison, but will try this. I spread it around my zinnias, marigolds, cabbages and eggplants. I did not like hand picking an squishing…

June 20, 2012

the day before the solstice

We are going from cool to HOT!!! Today was a lovely 70 degree day. I was lucky to be able to spend the day in the garden. Though I forgot to bring my camera, I did photograph my harvest of garlic scapes, spinach and lettuce. Last night I found a couple of nice old chairs that a neighbor had left out for the trash pickup. I snagged them and brought them to the community garden. I left them for others and the first gardener in commented how nice and brought…

June 16, 2012

wet cool spring

This evening I heard on the TV news that we have had the coolest June in 30 years. What a surprising spring! It was so warm in March, then so cool May and June. The peas, lettuce and brassicas are doing great. But I am starting to worry about my warm weather crops. The tomato plants are small, waiting for their growth spurt. Basil is looking sad. Cukes are small, watermelons too. I’m glad I did not to plant other melons this year.

February 25, 2012

spring is coming – willow catkins and daffodil sprouts

My pussy willows burst open this week. Right on schedule. Last year, they opened on the very same week. Some other plants are early this year with the balmy weather we have had. Snow drops are in full bloom and the daffodils are an inch high already. From looking back at my old photos, these are a full month early this year.

February 14, 2012

Valentine’s Day

I keep hearing that Valentine’s Day is a made up holiday. As I look around, the birds are pairing off, the squirrels are chasing each other, and coyotes are threatening suburban small pets as they begin their breeding season. And my planting calendar says its 11 weeks before my last frost – time to start planting seeds!!! Of course this celebration of love is based on the season! There are several online sources to look up Valentine’s Day origins and each tells a different story…. In any case, I’ll celebrate…

February 1, 2012

January snow drops

I was surprised to look down in my front yard and see flowers about to bloom. ITS STILL JANUARY!! OK, only a few hours left to the month, but still, I don’t remember a winter like this. I’m certainly not complaining. Tomorrow is supposed to be particularly balmy (50’s) and Skippy and I are planning a nice lunchtime walk. I have not had to shovel any snow this year. (Yippee) Its tempting to think, what’s happening to the climate – but then, the average of this year and last year…

January 17, 2012

winter sunset on the big pond

Another very chilly day. The day was ~10-25*F. Fortunately less wind than yesterday. Lots of birds were on the big pond (Fresh Pond in Cambridge). The ones I saw:20 Canvas back ducks20 Ring necked ducks50 Canada geesea pair of bufflehead ducksmaybe a male wood duck?lots of sea gullsa few robinsand a Coopers hawk eating his dinner

December 22, 2011

winter solstice

Its all uphill from here on in!!! A little more light everyday – a little closer to spring planting season. The winter solstice occurs Thursday at 12:30 a.m. EST (0530 GMT), which corresponds to 9:30 p.m. PST on Wednesday for observers further west. At the time, the sun will be passing over the over the Tropic of Capricorn. from Space on MSNBC.com

December 12, 2011

the juncos are here

I always watch for the first junco in my back yard. A sign of winter…. I had a cute first pair at my little pond today. They usually stay til the weather warms (maybe April?). My first junco two years ago: Dec 5, 2009.

November 18, 2011

fall sky

weeks and counting until my last spring frost