This is the first spring with a yard since 2002 and - even though the property is about a tenth of the size of the 165 by 600 foot patch remaining around the old farmhouse in PEI - I seem to be working, which was never really the plan. I got collard greens, purple potatoes, yellow onions and even yellow beets in the ground out at the borrowed plot north of the 401. That certainly added unexpected labour. Here in town I am working more on pots and seed starting, though the sugar snap peas have joined the radishes.
The pear tree and the apple tree we inherited are in bloom, likely in vain both starved though bad planning of the right sort of companionship. I should especially find the pear a companion seeing as they only pollinate off of another variety but, as we all know, he who plants pears plants for his heirs and I've only so much time.
Comments
gorthos - May 21, 2007 10:38 am
I cannot get my Atlantic Giant pumpkins to sprout.. hrmmm.. maybe the seeds finally bit the bisquet. Bisqet? Bisket? hrmm..
I do have my Okra in and it and my wife's leeks are looookng gooooood!
Brussel sprouts are new this year for us as are english cukes.. I'm not even bothering with pickling cukes..
Gordo - May 21, 2007 2:31 pm
Gorthos, this is a family blog .. No more about your wife's leeks. :-)
Alan, we used to have a pear branch that the previous owner had grafted to a macintosh tree. It seemed to work quite well until some bastard animal broke the branch off. I should pop by and nab a cutting or two and try it again. Would you like some of ours?
Alan - May 21, 2007 2:39 pm
I'd invite you to take a graft but I think it is a lame ornamental variety. They also placed it tight between to ceders and, even though it is supposed to grow 60 feet, right into the corner and under wires.
gorthos - May 21, 2007 3:05 pm
I have two sweetgum trees that I have been nursing to "outdoor plaing readiness" for two years.. They are from the southern US.. I think I have them acclimatized nicely to remove from the pots and transplant.. My hope, is they become they flora-cane-toads of Canada..
Gordo - May 21, 2007 6:06 pm
Icko. By any chance, do you know what type of cedar? We had a mix of red & white and I wound up having to remove the red cedars. They're a host for cedar-apple rust and is was messing up the apples.
gorthos - May 21, 2007 8:37 pm
Cedar aple rust galls are nauseating.. I'll find pics and post the links.. they look like young pinecones, all tight and bumpy.. then these disgusting orange gooey tendrils shoot out.. TRIFFIDS I tell you TRIFFIDS
gorthos - May 21, 2007 11:21 pm
as promised"
Before: http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/cedar-applerust/CARustGall%20small.jpg
After:
http://www.oznet.k-state.edu/dp_hfrr/HortImage/cedap.gif
bleeeech..