Diary 2/23/12

Trying to get a grip on this fast growing plum tree.

The peas are getting their next set of leaves.

Nice day and another tomorrow before a series of storms come through. Planted a few more radishes and lettuce, but I feel fairly caught up in the greenhouses, so spending time pruning as fruit trees as they are starting to show swelling buds.  You don't want to prune too early here as there can still be a cold event that can damage a section of the stem back from where you have pruned, but with buds showing, the other end of the scale is waiting too long when the trees are beginning to send energy into those tips that they don't even need to because they will be pruned.  The peas are doing well.  The temperatures of today and tomorrow will probably germinate some more seeds in the greenhouses. It is still very early, I have just been lucky to have the success I have achieved as the weather has been generally mild. No outside growth at all, that is why I have greenhouses!

Diary 2/22/12

George Washington's birthday and my brother's. We used to be given the day off from school and so my brother had a holiday every birthday.  George Washington didn't tell a lie and admitted chopping down a cherry tree, at least that was the tidbit we were taught in grade school. Maybe lies came later when he was a military hero turned politician. Spent a couple days with Water Boy who is turning into Wheelbarrow Boy for this photo shoot.  I can picture him some years down the road and I hope he still likes gardening because I will be getting older!

Diary 2/19/12

Sand slide

Queens of Sand Hill

Off to Eugene today to check on the other two year old, Water Boy.  I know Garden Girl will miss me, but I need a break.  I will be starting plants in three weeks and then I won't be getting away for a couple months. Yesterday started with snow and it snowed much of the day, but we ended up with nothing at the end of it all.  Went for a drive up the mountain to see where the snow level was.  Turns out it is way up there and there is little at the level where things are white.  It might have more snow in a freak springtime storm than it has now. Scary. 

Diary 2/17/12

This group of bull elk were spotted by my husband on the way home from the coast a couple days ago.  They are quite the group, but still not the big daddy.   Spent the day doing everything else.  Sent off some packages and letters that have been waiting.  Got in touch with a lawyer about an ongoing situation.  I paid a couple bills, received the planters I need for vegie starts, and sorted receipts for taxes.  It was a get 'er done day. Sleepy and tired from working with a stiff neck all day, the result of some weird position I got into while sleeping last night. Better luck tonight!

Diary 2/16/12

Worked on greenhouse beds.  Slowly, but surely they will be ready for the tiny plants that are now getting their second set of leaves.  Planted spinach again as the first planting came up.  Peas are growing well, and the first carrots are up.  The only thing not showing are the red onion seeds I planted. I hope they are OK, just taking more time.  I haven't given up on them.  I am lucky things are doing as well as they are considering it is still pretty early and that warm spell germinated so many of the seeds I planted.  Just keep planting and something will grow, I figure.

Diary 2/14/12

Happy Valentine's Day to all!  I find with Garden Girl's return, I am less able to blog, partly because I am busier all day and partly because I fade quickly at night.  She has been better behaved, and we are having some potty success, so there is progress. It is cold and wet outside, but I want to get the Walla Walla onions started today even if nothing happens for a week or two.  Just getting a seed bed ready and them in the ground will be something.  Footnote to the Grammys: Whitney with her beautiful face and voice may be gone, but there are new voices and faces as Adele has proved. Planted a HoneyCrisp apple tree yesterday.  We have another to plant.  We have really enjoyed them from the market, so maybe in a few years, have our own.  Evidently they are crossed with yellow delicious which though good keepers and crunchy, border on too sweet at times. Hoping for a good start for these little trees which will inspire some maintenance on our old trees.

Diary 2/11/12

It is difficult for me to not take pictures of ferns and moss this time of year because they are so verdant and vivid. With so little else going on as far as leaves and growth in general, it is easy to get hung up on these simple elements of the forest.