Blueberry Patch 2.0

As you may remember, last year my son-in-law, Jerry, and I put up an enclosure around our big blueberry patch. It was made out of PVC pipe. I chose the PVC pipe as a cost saving measure. The whole thing cost less than 100 bucks. During the snow storm last January, it was torn up completely. 

The original "cage"

I decided when the weather got warm, that I would redo it with better material. 

In the mean time, my next door neighbor's son hit my mail box and tore it up. I made a deal with his parents that if he gave me 4 hours of work, he would pay off the cost of the mail box. Unfortunately, he is on the Mooresville golf team (no. 2 golfer and Sectional champion. Way to go Jake!) and wasn't available to do any work until he got out of school. That was at the end of May. That wasn't a problem because we only want to put up the netting when the berries are getting ripe, and that's now.

In addition, s-i-l, Jerry, was visiting again. So, I had two helpers. The first Saturday in June was the work day. We put in 15 4x4 treated posts with cement in the holes. I have a friend that loaned me his power post hole digger, and that was a big help. 

Putting in a post.

Checking for level. 

 

The next week Jerry and I put stranded wire across the post, and, then, Gloria and I put up the netting along with some straw to keep out the weeds. (Jerry and Suzanne had left.) 

The finished enclosure.

Along with the other two older blueberry plants, I guess that we will get a more than gallon or so of berries. 

It goes to show you that you should never go too cheap when doing a project.  It will cost more in the long run.

Firing Up the Garden

I got into the garden spirit yesterday (Monday, 4-21) I tilled up a neighbors garden, planted 6 trees (2 nectarines, 2 English walnuts, and 2 bush cherries.), and three raspberries. In addition, I mowed most of my yard.
Today, I got into the garden and planted lettuce, spinach, onions and peas. I also got the area that I'm planting tomatoes and potatoes ready. Some tomatoes will go in tomorrow. I'll, also, plant some flowers in my and my wife's flower beds.
This the busiest time of year, and I love it.

The Unveiling

My wife convinced me that it was time to remove the coverings on the fig trees. It was last Saturday (4-19-14) and the sun was out and the temperature was very comfortable. After all was said and done, the trees did not look in as good a condition as I had hoped. However, we need to wait a week or two to be sure.

 The two figs with coverings.

  The coverings being removed.

 Two happy gardeners with the coverings

 removed from the fig trees.

Sorrowful Sparrows

This years foolish birds are sparrows. I heard the usual thump against the dining room window and went to look  to see which bird it was. I was somewhat amazed to see a sparrow thumping against the window. I was more surprised to see more than one sparrow attacking the window.
The windows need a good cleaning.

Spring Song

The pussy willows were late this year, by several weeks. The cold weather has slowed up just about everything. This years rendition was sang solo. My partner in song has laryngitis. Although, she was next to me, giving me encouragement.
 

I know a little pussy

Whose fur is soft and gray

She lives down in the meadow

Not very far away

She'll always be a pussy

SHE'LL NEVER BE A CAT

Cause she's a pussy willow

Now what do you think of that!

The yard is very wet from the recent rains. But, the next several days are suppose to be sunny. So, the first mowing is soon. I need to get the last of the fall leaves off the yard.

Dogwood Blooms

Three years ago my daughters bought their mother a dogwood tree for Mother's Day.  Gloria loves dogwood trees and over the years we have purchased several of them only to see them die after a time. I have treated this one with a lot of loving care, and as you can see in the picture with some success.

Rogue Robin

On a lazy morning a few weeks back, I heard the occasional thump, thump, thump coming from the hall or dining room. I recognized it from previous springs. So, I got up to see if  I could get a glimpse of the culprit. To my surprise, it wasn't Kamikaze Kardinal. It was his buddy, Rogue Robin. Take a look at the picture. The window is very dirty from all his slobber.

Spring 2013

Well, hello. No, I haven't died. Even though you may have thought so.
The reason that I haven't posted anything in a long while is:
PICK ONE.
1. Too lazy
2. Nothing interesting to post.
3. Too busy.
4. Forgot how and had to be retrained.
5. Just didn't want to. (Must be getting old and a curmudgeon.)
6. Other.
You can vote in the comment section.

I did get a chance to sing the spring song.
"I know a little pussy ......". The wife sang along with me. It was a marvelous duet. One of these days, I'm going to figure out how to post a video and let the uncountable numbers of you who read this blog listen in. Perhaps you will start the tradition yourselves. I can only hope. :).

A lot of things are going on:  spring clean up; remodeling the house (a real mess); helping daughter number 1 and spouse prepare their new house so they can move into it (and visiting the grand children.) There's nothing better than an arm load of grand kids. And lastly, getting ready to run (walk) a 5K race/walk at my wife's school. I'll try to post some pictures.

Remember Kamikaze Kardinal? Well he has a friend. I'll post about that soon.

Its that time

I feel a song coming on.