Neighbours talking over the garden gate has long been a tradition. They share gardening tips, complain about the weather and pests yet are ever eager to discuss their gardens. That is what I had in mind when creating this blog. So stop by my garden gate to find out the latest happenings in my garden.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
"All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child." ~ Madame Marie Curie"

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Finally the First Photogenic Robin of 2011

robin in maple tree

Robin in Maple Tree
March 23, 2011


I posted earlier about spotting the first robin of the season.  For those who don't know, here in beautiful Ontario, Canada where we experience winter complete with cold temperatures, ice and snow the robins migrate to warmer locations for the winter.  I can't say as I blame them which is one reason we have joined the snowbird crowd with our vacation home in the sunny south.  Unlike the robins who are gone for about 5 months, we only go for a month at longest but still it is a break from the cold.  The return of the robins signifies the onset of spring.  Unfortunately, no one has informed Mother Nature of that yet so the poor robins are still dealing with unseasonably cold weather conditions. 

The robins are not being as co-operative for their photoshoots likely due to the cold.  I hear their cheery chips in the bushes but they are staying tucked in out of the weather.  This little guy braved the cold just long enough for me to get a couple of pictures.  His red chest is just a cheery sign of spring to come!

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011


Monday, March 28, 2011

Winter is Hanging On

It is officially spring here but no one told Mother Nature.  We still have snow on the ground, icicles hanging from the eves and despite the beautiful sunshine the temperatures remain quite cold.  Winter is refusing to release it's chilly grip in our little corner of the world.  I'm sitting here sipping a lovely cup of hot tea pondering whether to start a couple of trays of seeds today.  My husband already booked our spring vacation so that is weighing heavily on my decision to start seeds.  Last year I lost some of my seedlings during our vacation because they accidently dried out when the kids were housesitting.  During the spring vacation our house only needs checking on a couple of times a week but seedlings need watering daily.  What I may do is start the seeds then take the trays into the kids to look after at their house.  Since they will be home daily there is less chance of the seedlings drying out than if I leave them here.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011


Friday, March 18, 2011

First Robin of 2011

Yesterday afternoon I spotted the first robin of the season!  I quickly grabbed the camera just in time to see him take flight so didn't get a picture.  This is a good sign that spring is almost here!

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011


Tuesday, March 15, 2011

A Minor Glitch in My Spring Garden Plans

I started using the square foot gardening method two houses ago when we lived in an urban setting.  Out last house was on the edge of a small village where I had the largest square foot garden complete with greenhouse.  This house is technically rural but the street is more like semi-rural.  Since the house has not sold yet, I'm moving ahead with my plans to add at least one more large raised bed (4' x 8') and do a bit of landscaping at the front of the house.  Yesterday it dawned on me that my plans would be a little more challenging this year.

Up to this point and for my previous two large square foot gardens, I had a pick-up truck at my disposable.  The truck had a colourful history as well.  We used to have a gorgeous conversion van perfect for family outings.  All of our kids learned to drive  with that van.  When the motor went we popped a new motor in it.  About 2 months after we had just had the van repainted our youngest totaled it.  We stripped what we could including the motor that went into a truck my husband found that had no motor.  We got the truck dirt cheap!  It was nothing to look at, the radio didn't work and was a hog on gas but it was dependable.  Well it was dependable until one of our kids, the same one who totaled the van was taking a load of brush from our house to the burn pile on the farm.  The truck quit on the side of the road and refused to start.  We had it towed, got it fixed and a couple of weeks later it did the same thing.  We had it limped back to our buddy's garage where the poor sat looking rather rejected half of the winter until my husband put it out of it's misery.  Anything savagable was stripped which wasn't much then the remainder sold for scrap metal.  In the meantime another of our kids was selling their second vehicle so we bought it.  It's a nice, fuel efficient, manual transmission hatchback. 

Without the truck I have no convenient way to get lumber, soil, mulch, compost and other gardening necessities home.  The seats fold down in the hatchback so I might be able to get lumber home but not soil bought by the yard or compost from the municipal yard.  It looks like I am going to have to find a truck to borrow or pay delivery charges.  Ah well, it won't be as convenient but the garden is slated for expansion this spring if we don't move.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011


Sunday, March 06, 2011

Bald Headed Eagle Visit

bald headed eagle on ice
Bald Headed Eagle Visit
February 9, 2011

There is a family of Bald Headed Eagles nesting not too far from us.  They have been taking advantage of the ice floats but it is only by luck to get a picture as they don't stay long.  I took this picture from the kitchen patio doors.  Looking closer the eagle was interested in the carrion on the ice but within seconds of the second photo the eagle took flight.  They certainly are impressive birds!

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011


Thursday, March 03, 2011

Horror Frost

heavy frost
Horror Frost
February 23, 2011

Last we had a very heavy frost, termed horror frost.  This happens during the winter when the temperature suddenly rises causing heavy fog then the temperature drops causing the fog to form heavy ice crystals over everything.  It usually only happens a couple of times during the winter.  It really is quite pretty to wake to.  The gardens were a mystical delight!

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011


Wednesday, March 02, 2011

March Came in Like a Lamb

The first two days of March have been rather pleasant, bright and sunny but a little colder.  We have experienced a good amount of snow accumulation this year.  Overall the temperatures haven't been too cold.  I don't think we have even had a bitterly cold spell this year which is nice given the rising home heating costs.  It will soon be time to turn my attention to this year's gardens,

Our house is still on the market but if we sell shortly with a closing date anytime before the end of May there will still be plenty of time to get a garden in where ever we move to.  That is one of the nice things about using raised beds.  They can be constructed, filled, grid laid out and planted all in the same day.  With a little help it is quite easy to get five or six beds ready for planting in a morning.  So I'm not concerned about the potential move.  Goodness, looking back on things it has been almost a year since we listed out house so this will be the second season of gardening uncertainty.  I'm sure things will work out fine though.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011