We have the first chipmunk I have seen in years. I think he might be eating some of mom’s flowers (seed heads).
The squirrels have gotten very ‘cheeky’ lately. We used to have a pair of red-shouldered hawks that patrolled overhead & nested in the woods bordering the front pasture where my garden is located. They are large hawks & went after the chickens sometimes. No squirrel in his right mind would dare venture out into an open space (my garden is out in the open) with the hawks around.
About 3 years ago, the hawks moved their nest to a nearby neighborhood that was overrun with squirrels & easier hunting. Gradually, the squirrels around here have gotten complacent & are venturing out into the open rather boldly (and are making it to my garden).
My SIL’s Collie keeps their yard/garden squirrel free. The deer stay out of their yard as well. My garden is a bit too far for her to keep an eye on it for me, along with her own yard.
Harvested the first Dragon Egg cukes this morning! I also pulled some of the larger Tokyo White scallions. The ‘regular’ onions are getting big enough to be harvested - my SIL was a bit ahead of me planting onions & she is pulling some of hers that are a decent size, so mine should be close.
Deep into all things ‘herbs’ - getting a list of what I want to plant next year, also herbs that flower & are deer resistant so we can replace some of the plants they are currently eating to the ground.
With all the rain, the huge borage got heavy & some branches were on the ground & all over other plants - propped it up with a trellis, so it’s still a happening place for the bees. Next year, I will allow more room for a borage, maybe 2 ... I really love them.
Glad you’re getting into herbs! Borage is a wonderful plant, all the way around - but it will readily self-seed, so don’t be surprised if you have a few ‘freebies’ next season as it is.
I am using my new oven today to bake a Cherry Pie with cherries from my own tree. It smells heavenly - and I made sure there were no drips in my new oven, LOL! I’ll be a spaz about it for a while, then it’ll just become another ‘tool’ in my arsenal. ;)
We got a full 1/2” inch of rain overnight and showers off and on this afternoon. The temps are only in the 70’s, so that inspired the Beagles to go on ‘walkabout’ for FIVE HOURS, today. (I inherited anr elderly female Beagle from a hunting friend; she’s 13 and it’s time to retire, but that girl doses not quit!) They took Tony (dog in training) with, and he came back with the biggest THORN in his right hind paw that I have ever seen. I pulled it out, and now he owes me his life, LOL!
My feeder was raided by the ‘coon last night; forgot to take it in, so I won’t be forgetting to do that again. Well, I probably will. ;)
My lettuces (Red Romaine) have all bolted, so I am salvaging what I can, then will plant bush beans where they are.
So far from the garden I’ve gotten asparagus, a few zukes, broccoli, lettuces, kale, herbs and now the cherries. The apple trees and the peach tree are loaded - the pears, not so much. I fertilized all the tomatoes before the rain last night. The garden is starting to deliver!
At ‘brunch’ today we had some applesauce from last season and homemade (sugar free) grape juice with our eggs and ham. It’s so wonderful eating things you’ve put up yourself. :)
Tonight I’m doing a Sheet Pan Dinner (in my new oven - still thrilling, LOL!) with sliced pork loin and Rosemary and a bunch of veggies from the garden. A garden salad to go with.
Life Is Good!