I noticed at Wal-Mart, along with Valentine stuff, they’re starting to put out the seeds and starter mixes. I’m getting catalogs in the mail for gardening. I watch each day how sunrise ticks earlier, and sunset ticks later minute by minute. It’s subtle things that lifts my spirits in dark, cold January. I can hardly wait for spring.
I’m sitting here watching the snow come down in Pittsburgh PA. My purple cabbage plant on the patio has shown itself to be surprisingly hardy thru several past winter snows.
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It’s pouring rain here. Cold, windy, wet winter rain.
Poor Penny! She refuses to go outside and do what doggies do outside.
However, she would rather burst than have an “accident” in the house.
So she must be uncomfortable to say the least.
She’s a very strong, stubborn dog.
Mowers are serviced - yay! The small tractor style has a new wheel (on the proper rim this time), a new battery & a dust cover. The back wheels turn so it’s fantastic for trimming super close around trees/bushes & it pulls my Gorilla Cart, too. The big zero turn is great most of the time, but the little one is going to be my ‘trim’ mower, around all the redbuds & crape myrtles. That will be enough running to keep it running!
This week we had some temps in the 50’s. Thursday, I finished up work on the small mower (installing battery, getting wheel on, etc.) & set out to weed the two raised flower beds in what has become the Hummingbird Garden, Got bucket, seat, weeding tool ... sun was shining enough that I took off my coat & was just in my long underwear shirt .... perfect, right? Took the first ‘chop’ with my tool and lo & behold, the ground was frozen! At least an inch - no way to weed! I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but I was. No weeding until we have some thawing & I think some polar air is coming in for the end of the month/early Feb. so it might be a while.
Compost pile is sinking (compressing) rapidly. I’d say it’s down 18” to 2’. I am anticipating some great mulch this spring! :-)
Have a great weekend/week, everyone.
Six inches of snow over the past day or so. Very pretty! We needed a layer to cover up the YUCK that January sometimes brings.
Nothing going on in the greenhouse, but I am studying! I have lettuces, spinach, arugula and sprouts going under grow lights. The sprouts are just ‘greening up’ for a few days - they’re more appetizing to me that way.
When I find the pad of graph paper, I am starting on planning the planting beds for next season. I might even use colored pencils because the 4 year old ‘me’ wants that. Seriously. She does!
Shredded papers for the compost pile, as I need to dump the covered bucket that’s under the sink. Had to re-shovel a path out to the two piles this morning, but I needed to shovel to the greenhouse and the bird feeders, anyway. ;)
Working on subjects to post here throughout the week, and trying to keep my two cats for killing one another as they go stir crazy. They’re usually outside more than in, so winter is a PITA for them.
Beau went out early to hunt Bobcat with a friend who has a kill tag and a nice sideline fur business making pelts into hats, mittens, headbands, etc. I got a raccoon headband for Christmas and it is REALLY stunning; velvet lined! His wife does a great job of sewing with the fur - which is not an easy skill to master.
Shivering at the snow, but very impressed with the beauty of the image you found. Well done!
24 here this am. Waiting for more heat to go feed furballs in the paddocks.
Did a shopping trip yesterday-—mid month. But needed a new vacuum.I killed the other one...after 16 years. ONLY ONE machine out of 14 on display WITH A BAG. I don’t like the bagless ones...too hard to clean out without wearing it all—it is windy here in Nevada. Got a Bissel—with a bag-—for a whole $56 !!!At my age, I am NOT going to spend $200 +++ on a vacuum. “SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED”. Neighbor will come today so we have 4 hands instead of 2.
Indeed, winter morning!
More coffee, or maybe a hot cocoa!
Beautiful photo. I enjoy landscaping for winter color. I tell my clients to view their backyard, find the spots of the yard without any color in winter, and plant Hollies in those vacant spots.
Hi Dianna
The Happy Winter Morning photo you have of the berries reminded me that a week ago my front yard was green holly bushes with tons of red berries and also tons of red berries from the bittersweet vines now dormant.
I pulled in the driveway and observed hundreds of robins and starlings eating up all the berries.
The same thing happened on my back porch when the birds ate the bittersweet vine berries that dominate the back porch.
At least the berries fed the birds, but the pretty red coloring is now gone for the rest of the winter -Tom.
I can’t believe it. It’s January and it feels summery.
I’m so confused! Extremely warm breeze when I was out back watering.
Haven’t been out in months. Tiny little heads forming on cabbage that was planted last year. Four potato plants forming and pepper plants are still there and have peppers on them.
I guess I’ll have to get busy.
:)