On the cusp

Another end to this thing called winter is fast approaching and while the fall and early winter were relatively mild, the end has been fierce with its gusting winds and frigid air.  Those who read my blog regularly know that February is my least favorite month, but it is there so there you go! There are things in life that must be dealt with and deal with it we shall! 

According to the knowledgeable meteorologist, we are to have a pollen burst (whatever that is) brought on by the early warm temperatures followed by the recent frigid temperatures. Every spring is a pollen burst when plagued with allergies.  One can only hope that the "burst" will be fast and short!

My car is already tarnished with a coat of yellow which definitely does not accentuate the carbonite gray nor is it a welcome accessory to the matte black interior (doesn't matter if the windows are never down, the crap sneaks in through the air ducts!).

Anxious for the warming temps and visions of summer, hubby and I uncovered the pool and BAM! the frigid temps rolled in and picking those dreams right out of the air and scattering them northward! As much as I would love a thick blanket of snow, it is too close to Spring for me to welcome it with bated breathe and open arms. 

I trimmed the dead protective leaves of my banana tree right before this perilous weather and sit here wondering if those lovely green leaves will make a comeback giving my little feathered friends a perch when the weather does warm.  Most of the fruit trees and flowering shrubs bloomed only to  freeze in these devilish temps leaving it iffy if there will be pears or plums this year with few if any azaleas.

Yes, I am tired of soups and breads (potato, broccoli and cheese, cabbage and sausage, chili, vegetable, taco) I crave grilled chicken, steak, salmon and even burgers with a fresh salad on the side! 

I am ready to say goodbye to winter and "Hello" Spring! Thanks for visiting and remember to 

Keep Smilin!

Back to the Garden

Fall is almost gone and winter is about to set in. I cannot remember such a mild Fall. Here is Central Georgia we have not even had a hard frost as yet, which is really unusual. Tonight might be the turning point though as a front is moving in with cold air and lot's of rain. It will probably finish the beautiful plants off leaving the landscape stark and desolate.

Our home is on a very old home site that was unoccupied for many many years. While clearing a path through the overgrown privet hedge, honeysuckle, and swamp briers, I found loads of shrubs and flowers from the previous inhabitants. Some I could easily identify - the Forsythia hedge that still flourishes, pomegranates, crepe myrtle and many I still have not identified - and some I could not. After realizing the treasures that lay at this old home site, the clearing and cleaning went a lot slower much to the chagrin of my spouse, who cared not a whit for plant life. I would trudge along beside him and watch carefully each stroke of the mattock, hoe or shovel and scream bloody murder if I caught a glimpse of one of these old treasures. You would have thought I have found gold and to me they were.

In my email box today was a e-newsletter from Fine Gardening that was chocked full of interesting stuff. I love the Mystery Plant section. I can recognize many plants that I have thought were weeds and pulled and plunked away that had I only known with a little nourishment and maybe relocation, they would have benefited my garden with beautiful and unusual foliage and flowers. I only wish that in 1978 this had been available in such an accommodating way. I know I have sent many a treasure to the burn pile in my ignorance and lack of resources. The newsletter is free and very informational, so check it out.

I needed to share this tidbit so maybe I could help save someone else's treasure. Seeds can lay dormant for years and pop up anywhere in the yard or garden so keep your eyes open. I have a plant in one of my terrariums that just sprouted right up this week after months of sitting in that soil. Still can't identify, but I will have a better idea in the next week or so. Some unexpected plant popping up in the garden is always worth looking into - you may have a great treasure pop into your life. Surprises are the spice of life.

Happy reading!

Belle

Update on Belles Farm

I stepped out on the porch this morning and was met with a cool fresh feeling on my skin. The autumn is slowly moving on us, bringing the cool mornings and hot days. I don't know that I am ready as winter is not my favorite season. There is never enough green in the winter - the dead season. That is probably why I love my cedars - they provide the green of life and growing in the bleak cold days of winter.

I am getting the ground ready to plant my late summer garden. I am ready for the greens and I am replanting the squash. My tomatoes are looking spiny as they always do at season's end. I have pruned them and will give them a good drink with fertilizer today. I have taken several cuttings from these tomatoes and started the upside down baskets with them. The plant are a beautiful dark green with loads of blooms and several small tomatoes growing. I look forward to having tomatoes a little longer this year.

Today is shrub moving day. I have several shrubs that need to be moved and I want to do it now rather than waiting until spring so the roots can recover during the winter dormant season. I have moved my lamb's ear and tried to gather all the errant seedlings into one nice spot. Lamb's ear spreads like wild fire with all the little seeds scattered throughout the yard and small ears poking up everywhere. Hopefully I have contained most of them at least until the next breeze scatters more seeds.

My Althea has bloomed more this year than any time in memory. The violet seems to be competing with the rose colored bush and the race is neck in neck, but I do believe the rose is winning. My sunflowers are beautiful. The heads large and ready to open in the next week. I only have a few plants as I seem to be feeding all the foul in the county with every seed that goes in the ground.

My pear trees have not produced this year as well as in the past, but the fruit is still large, sweet and juicy. The squirrels love the blooms in late winter. Climbing high in the trees, they sit and crunch the center of the blooms leaving a blanket of white under the trees. I plan to have a large pot of squirrel dumplings this winter. They have ravaged my fruit trees, tomatoes, bird feeders and chicken feed. I have some expensive squirrels in my yard that will make for good eating.

I am getting an egg a day from one of my little hens. I hope that all three will be laying soon, but cooler temperatures are coming and will be lucky to continue with the one a day. The neighbors chicken has hatched two biddies, but only one lived. The tiny thing chases her around the yard, hiding in the tall grass at the edge of the wood when I go out for feeding. They are so fun to watch and the old red rooster is as protective as the mother hen. My own rooster started crowing this weekend and he sounds so funny. Rather high pitched for the first few days, he now has a strong tone. So far his clock is set right - the other starts crowing at 2:30 in the morning.

The writing is coming along, but I have been busy for a couple of weeks and not able to attend as I need. Keep me in your prayers.

Belle