When I first came to this property we were looking for a new home. The landlord took me on a tour of the "house" and then we moved on to the outside. The "house" is a 1972 mobile home, nothing much to look at inside or out. But the yard is what I have called my little slice of heaven since the first day.
It was quite overgrown at the time as it had been empty for several months. The back pasture had paths from the deer wandering through the high growth. Many flowering wild plants everywhere. I could feel the power of nature calling to me as we walked the property. The tall pines made me feel as if I was back on our mountain in North Carolina. The wind talking through the pines is music in my soul.
The next day, I was back with our payment. This little slice of heaven was now ours. |
These little wild plants are just one of the reasons I wait to mow.
We sit on five acres and I do mow the front and areas we frequently use because of the snakes. We have dusky pygmy rattlers and the coral snakes that live in the yard. The duskies are very non-agressive even though they are venomous. Both are very beautiful snakes.
This one in the aquarium is one of three dusky pygmies that we had removed by one of the local snake rescue people. They were just a bit too close to the house.
I keep the images on my computer for quick reference. Got to teach the little ones to respect these critters and let them alone. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Saturday, May 26, 2007 - 11:00 am: |   |
Looking through some of the pictures I've taken the past year we've lived out here. In this one of the front yard I was watching the turkeys around the feeding station. Taken right at a year ago... look at the Rubbertree plant. I had pruned it back because of a late frost. Poor thing looked so shabby with all of the dead hanging on it.
To see it now reminds me why I cover it when we are threatened with frost.
Its such a happy plant. Doesn't require much care from me. I keep the dead leaves clipped off and the ground below cleared most of the time.
Everything in my yard is happy now!! YIPEE!!! We have had light rain in the afternoon for the past three days!! Actually looks like we may have had almost a half inch. At least that's how much was left in one of the containers sitting on the porch. Don't matter to me as long as the ground gets a little sip to take away the crunch. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 - 01:10 pm: | |
So much has occurred since my last post in this journal. From being in severe drought conditions, we are now waiting for the rain soaked yard to absorb standing water. We joked that the house was the "island" and the yard was our lake. We are so happy to see the rains finally arrive.
The last three weeks of October dropped over 36 inches on us and with Hurricane Noel stirring things up just off our coast, we saw rain every day last week and on into the weekend.
Between raindrops: DH got the mound of black dirt he brought home spread out for our garden area. This is the second load of black dirt for the area. The yard here is very low.
I got the garden laid out and the seeds planted starting October 23. My tomatoes went in first as the poor things were getting way too large for the starter pots. They look much happier now that they can stretch their roots.
Planting on a rising moon never ceases to amaze me. Everything except the tomatoes was started from seed. By the time Full Moon came around on October 27, everything was in the ground. By October 28, the radishes I planted on Oct 25 had sprouted. As of today, Nov 5, every seed seems to have sprouted with only one or two exceptions: carrots and lettuce. Looks like I might have the carrots sprouting, but will have to wait just a bit to be sure. The lettuce is a leaf variety and I know from past experience it takes a bit longer to sprout. Lucky combination of Full Moon and Super Rain!!
We got the fence around the garden area this past Saturday, now the dogs will not be running through trampling everything....its looking so nice right now. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Friday, November 09, 2007 - 02:08 pm: | |
Fall weather has arrived in Florida!!
The temperatures have finally dropped below 80 degrees. Day temps are in the low to mid 70's and by the time the sun begins to drop in the afternoon, the cool air arrives. Night temps are in the low 50's to low 60's. Everything is still very green here which makes it so hard to tell when the seasons change.
It has taken me living here for twenty years now to begin to distinguish between the seasons. Such subtle changes except for the drastic difference in the temperatures!!
The grass is beginning to go dormant, although the weeds never seem to die back. This weekend will be the last cutting of the yard probably until Spring unless we get a good bit of rain during the next couple of months.
I have transplanted the miniature yellow rose that I believe is called Sun Sprite. She just didn't seem to be doing very well out in the yard. Right now, she is in a very large terra cotta pot and looks as if she enjoys her new spot. There are three buds on her at this time and now I will be able to enjoy them even more as the rose is much closer to the porch.
So much to do around the yard and so little energy...the cooler weather makes me want to curl up and snuggle. Got to get out of this lazy spell and get things tidy around the yard so all we'll need to do is keep up the maintenance. Hopefully, we will finish laying the pavers for the patio around the hot tub this weekend. The kiddie pool has been taken down and since it really didn't see much use this summer it probably won't go back up next year. No real loss, I'm perfectly happy using the hot tub to cool off from the summer heat. Who says you have to turn the heater on anyway? The water always feels fine during the hot summer without using the heaters.
The garden is progressing very rapidly. Radishes are now almost four inches tall.
My potato sprouts are all showing about three inches of green.
The broccoli and turnips are still just small two leaf sprouts, but the hills are covered with the green growth.
Every squash seed sprouted and they are all about three inches tall.
Every hill of corn has sprouted, each plant is about four inches at this time.
The cantaloupes all sprouted and are looking fine.
Carrots have finally made their presence known and the mound is covered with their sprouts.
Only one onion??? Hmmm, still waiting for the remaining green onions to show their sprouts.
Still no sign of the Lettuce. May have to re-sow with new seed.
Tomato plants are looking better, can't wait to have them produce. Tomatoes from the stores just don't seem to have any taste at all.
Gave the garden a good soaking and also a bit of fertilizer to encourage the tomatoes. Guess we'll see how they progress now. Can hardly wait to taste them. Winter tomatoes tend to do better here. Summer heat just makes them tough.
Hoping not to see any early frost, although just about everything that is planted at this time doesn't really mind the cooler weather. Don't usually have frost until January. Will be crossing the fingers on that, but at least the garden area is small enough to run my tarps to help protect any tender items. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 03:27 pm: | |
BRRRRR...tonight's temps are heading for the mid 40's!! High today has been 80 degrees and tomorrow night the lows are supposed to dip down to the low 40's high 30's...WAIT!!! this is weather like we have in January!!! Friday is only supposed to be about 65 degrees, don't I live in Florida anymore??? But so far the forecast for the rest of the weekend and the coming week is to be back in the mid to upper 70's with the lows in the mid 50's to low 60's. WHEEEW...thought I'd woke up in the mountains there for a minute.
The garden continues to impress me with the rapid growth. Will be thinning out the radishes this weekend and the turnips as well. My potato sprouts are growing excellent and the squash and cantaloupes are really taking off also. Lots of green showing all over the garden patch.
We've been working on the front yard flower beds since last weekend. Making lots of headway tearing out those wild Mexican Petunias that self seeded. They are soooo invasive and are actually listed on Florida's invasive plant list. I can actually see the plants I set out two years ago now that the petunias are gone. The Aloe has went crazy and is triple the size it was when I planted it two years ago. The poor Yarrow was overrun by the petunias and finally disappeared entirely. That so sucks because I had started it from seed about six years ago and it had been doing so good. Guess I'll just have to plant more. Now that the front beds are being cleared out, I am in the planning stages for what to put in. I know in the main bed I have to be careful and chose those plants that totally adore the afternoon scorching sun. Right now it isn't bad, but come summer that bed will have sun all day. Looking to put in some Echinacea and yarrow as well as a few other herbs. Just getting the lists together so far. DH brought in another ten yards of nice black dirt for the front beds and other low spots in the yard yesterday. Such a nice perk from his job with a land clearing/ demolition company. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 05:26 pm: | |
February 10,2008
The garden I started in September has done fair. This has been an experiment to see just what does well during the warmer winter months in Florida. The weather at this time resembles early Spring, with the exception of the shorter daylight hours. Our “winter” this season has been wetter and I think that has helped the garden.
One of the reasons I decided to start a garden in September was in part due to the cooler weather. I know some plants just absolutely hate our hot summer sun and cannot survive without constant care.
The plants in my garden:
Tomatoes: Big Boy Variety – These are looking exceptional at this time. I started out with nine plants.
All nine have survived and six have grown to over three feet with numerous blooms. The six
have produced tomatoes that are at this time between golf ball to tennis ball size. They are still green and growing. Can’t wait for them to get just a bit bigger so I can gather some for a
nice mess of fried green tomatoes....yummm.
Radishes: Sparkler Variety – These did very well. However, after planting them I discovered that I am
the only person who will eat them. As they have gotten big enough to pull, I have given them to a few friends and fed the smaller ones to my chickens. I won’t be planting them again.
Leaf Lettuce: This did not sprout. I have more seed that I will be sowing a bit later this month. We are still in danger of a late frost at this time of year so I plan to wait until the end of February before sowing any more seeds.
Green Onions: These did not sprout. Again, I plan to sow more seed later this month.
Broccoli: These sprouted and continue to hang on. I have thinned out the row and will continue to wait to see how they grow.
Potatoes: Had several eyes from different store bought varieties that sprouted. These did well until
something (a bug) ate the young plants. They did produce small potatoes prior to the plant
being totally eaten. I have replanted more eyes in the original spot and also in the row I had planted the onion seed. At this time, the new plants are growing quite well and so far, no sign of bug damage.
Cantaloupes: These were growing well and set numerous blooms on each plant. Something is causing
the plants to wither and die. I think it may just be the wrong time of year for them. I will be re-planting these at the end of the month also.
Turnips: These are growing very well and there are several that I will be pulling soon. The greens have been clipped for my sister once already and are full and ready for clipping again soon. I will
be re-planting these as well.
Corn: Planted six hills of corn, only two survived. Again, something ate the young plants. The two
remaining plants are currently producing ears. These just started to show a few days ago. Another one to re-sow later this month.
Yellow Squash: Another one that started out with much promise and many blooms only to have the
plants wither and die once the squash began to form. Had several squash that were
two to three inches long and then wither. Definitely a bug of some nature damaging these.
Carrots: Looking very good at this time. So far, they aren’t big enough to pull.
Sweet Potato: Just recently started and put out one sweet potato vine. Looking good so far.
February 12, 2008
I’ve decided to pull the Summer Squash. The weather is goofy right now, we’ve had such a mild winter, with only one or two frosts. This month will mark the end of our chance for frost, unless we get a freak front. After replanting the potatoes and seeing what a difference the new plants growth has been, I think the timing was just off for the squash. Once I have reworked the garden area, I will be replanting the Squash. The same goes for the Cantaloupe...the timing was obviously wrong. But this has been my learning garden. I’m still trying to figure out which plants will grow best in our crazy Florida weather and with my often “black” thumb. Sometimes things just don’t like me and I can’t seem to do anything to change its plant mind...so, I’ve learned to move on and try something different instead of taking it personal. My tomatoes are doing awesome and I’m looking forward to frying up a big pan of green tomatoes soon.
February 13, 2008
The squash have all withered. Such a sad looking bunch of plants. I will be planting them again soon to see if the timing was the issue. I almost feel as if they were just started at the wrong time of year. The warmer days are just around the corner and I’m sure they will do better this time. The same is true for the cantaloupes...they have all bloomed then withered. Next round should do better with the warmer weather and longer daylight.
Turnips are coming along nicely, the new greens are looking ready to pluck. Hope my sister doesn’t get tired of greens, I’m thinking of planting her a few rows.
BABY CORN!! I’ve only got two corn plants left, something ate the other four hills...but both have got little ears of corn forming. It is regular sweet corn and I know my hubby is gonna enjoy his very own specially from the garden.
Had to move my little miniature rose Sun Sprite into a large pot in the fall. It was much closer to the house and the front door where I could enjoy it more. The deer began stripping it the minute it set the first bloom. Now for the past few weeks it has been enjoying the safety of the screened porch. The little darling is growing like a weed and sprouting new growth daily.
Happy Birthday to me! My sweetie took the day off to spend with me. After going out for breakfast, we headed for the Museum of Arts and Science. Was a super day wandering through the museum exhibits and watching a presentation in the Planetarium on the “Explorers of Mauna Kauai”, I think that’s the spelling. Was about the various observatories on the big island of Hawaii and the telescopes view from that location being so clear because of the altitude. Some of the constellations were pointed out and Finally I am better able to figure out just what I’ve been seeing when we are star gazing. Hubby has dinner plans in mind to make the end of my day as sweet as the beginning. |
  Happy Belated Birthday, Karen!
I hope you'll come out and share in the fun on the rest of the site. I enjoyed your journal and I'm sure we'd all love to see more photos of your yard and garden. Your profile says you've only posted in your journal... maybe you could pop over to the Social Gallery and say hi. We are missing out on your company.
P.S. - I hope you don't mind that I posted this in your journal. Some of us do that.   |
| Stormdancer Posted on Thursday, February 14, 2008 - 12:41 pm: | |
Thanks DJ...
I started originally posting asking questions on the Identify this plant site and also on the Nature in the Garden site. I really like this site and all of the people. I especially like to read your posts in your journal...you sure seem to have a lot of energy!! Your place sounds beautiful and I know its a lot of work. I run our tractor, but only with the bush hog mower or boxblade...we haven't picked up any of the farm attachments to date. My garden is only 25' by 10' so I don't have much room to use the tractor, I have a small tiller attachment for my Toro weedeater. It also helps that my DH brings me new fill dirt for my garden area. Makes it soooo easy to work.
Thanks again for the birthday wish...yours is the same as my ex...but that's cool, my son shares a birthdate with my second husband and my current husband's ex wife! Don't ya just love being born on the 13th?!! |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 - 01:31 pm: | |
Pulled my first Turnips Sunday Feb 24. They were about the size of tennis balls and very tasty. Since I don't care for the greens, I've snipped them and given them to my sister and a few friends who enjoy them.
Decided to see if they will "root" from the tops, so I re-planted the four tops I cut. Guess we shall see in a few days whether or not they will re-root. If not, no big loss.
This garden has been my experimental garden. I have been trying to see just what will grow for me and when each plant does the best.
So far the results for my October planting:
Tomatoes: Big Boy Variety-- these have done well and currently are loaded with green tomatoes. Now to see just how long they will produce. Celebrity Variety-- was very disappointed with this one. Produced a very tall lanky plant that while still struggling to live produced only one tomato. Might cut it back and see what happens before I pull it out completely.
Yellow Squash: Not good for fall planting this time around. The plants grew well, bloomed like crazy and set squash that developed to about two inches and some bug destroyed the squash and the plant. Will try again for a Spring planting here in another week or so.
Cantaloupes: Same as the yellow squash, not a good time of year planting them in October. While they set numerous blooms no fruit appeared and the plants were wilted and withered by bug damage.
Potatoes: These did surprisingly well considering I was using eyes from potatoes in the fridge. Again, some bug destroyed the plants, but I did get several small potatoes even though the plant didn't make it. Have re-planted eight hills and to date the plants are looking great--already five to six inches tall and beginning to bush out a bit. Can hardly wait for the new potatoes.
Turnips: Another excellent October vegie-- these have given beautiful greens (some bug chewing but not bad) and the four I pulled on Sunday were about the size of tennis balls. I'm keeping the greens trimmed back and sending them to my sister and friends who like them.... the bug chewed ones go to the chickens.
Sweet Corn: Not good for October planting. All but two hills withered and died. The two which are hanging on have developed one ear each, but just don't look very promising. Will be re-planting this again for the Spring garden.
Carrots: So far they are looking pretty fair, but have not grown large enough to pull at this date.
Some of the garden area will be re-worked over the next few weeks and I will be trying a few different things when I re-plant this time around. I'm hoping to keep the garden going year round if possible. Just one of the really nice things about living in Florida...things grow all year.
We are continuing to work on the front walkway and the beds around the front of the house. Only using the weekends though has a major disadvantage...rain right now being the biggest. Seems all the fronts move through our area on weekends!! I have purchased several "Butterfly Mats", pre sown mats of seeds for my Butterfly garden. Everything in our yard seems to draw the Butterflies. From watching the birds the past couple of years, what attracts the Butterflies also attracts the Hummingbirds. My biggest headache is trying to prevent the deer from eating everything. My poor Hibiscus has suffered the chewing and it is right at the porch. Poor baby used to be so full and will bloom like crazy if only the deer would leave her alone. Two other hibiscus out in our side front yard have been terrorized by the deer as well. Only one of them has managed to bloom a few times before being chewed on again. Both of these are in "cages" to help deter the deer.
My miniature rose had to be moved to the inside of the screened porch to prevent further damage. Was looking very good, showing new growth and had even set two buds when the deer began munching on her again.
Since her move to the inside, she has filled out with new growth and is beginning to set buds again.
DARN DEER!! I love to watch them and they are welcome in my yard, but I do wish they'd chew on the "wild" stuff that grows instead of my Hibiscus and Rose.
So far, they don't seem to care for my Rosemary, which they pass on the way to the Hibiscus. (I've followed their hoof prints) Guess I should be glad for that since the Rosemary seems to like her spot. Hmmm, wonder if I put Rosemary around the Hibiscus if they would leave it alone, or would they then develope a taste for the Rosemary as well??? Maybe I'll have to try hanging some Rosemary from the Hibiscus and see what happens. On the plus side, one of our boys who works on a tree crew brought me several Hibiscus starts from a few of the jobs they were on. Was too funny when he was telling me about them and then brought me the starts with flowers. He thought the flowers were neat, and was very surprised to find out they were all of the same family even though they were different colors, sizes and shapes. Each of them took root and so far are holding their own. Several of the Hibiscus cuttings I saved this fall have rooted in the bucket where I stuck them.
The only one not looking too great right now is the Rose of Sharon. Once she dropped her leaves I decided to go ahead and hard prune. She was so damaged when we brought her home from the job site that I was surprised she lived. My DH is just sure that I have killed his "tree" with my pruning. Poor darlin' just about cries when I start trimming the dead out. As much as I cut back, it was all dried wood and I tried to take it back until I hit green. Not sure if she's gonna make it or not, but at least with the dead off she can try. Guess DH has forgot about doing the same thing with the Ficus the year the frost almost killed it. I had to cut it back very severe in order to save it. Once the new growth started from the roots and he was able to see that the truck was indeed dead, then he finally agreed to finish cutting the trunk back. My dog Spike finally managed to kill the Ficus by using the pot for his personal restroom when he was a puppy. Didn't figure out what was happening until it was too late.
Dang pets are almost as bad as the wildlife!
Found a beautiful little Gloxinnia (sp?) in a potted plant that was overgrown one year. Pulled it out, put her in another pot and watched her grow for a month or so and don't ya know the minute she bloomed one of the cats we had at the time decided to pee on it. That was the end of that poor plant to say the least. Didn't make me any crazier about the cat either.
The "Chicken Condo" is now complete and the girls are able to check it out.
That's what a couple of our friends have dubbed our new coup. DH brought home some very nice boards from a demolition job and the new coup was built from them. So far, the girls are still investigating the new structure and since only one is laying at present, she has accepted the new spot. Can hardly wait until the other two start laying. One is still just a wee bit young, but should start laying any time now. The other is a Banty and was laying prior to her coming to us. I know she is being picked on by my Rock since she is the smallest and newest. I'm hoping things are about back to normal now for her and she will begin laying again soon, she's been here for almost two months now. We're hoping the larger coup will help, especially now that the nest boxes have dividers high enough to keep my Red from picking on everyone else. Red is a Rhode Island and Banty mix. She's just flat out mean...but she is a consistant layer and only a month or so older than the Rock. Really can't gripe much...all three of the hens were given to us and all three are under a year old. |
Your post about all of those birthdays is hilarious. Sort of tragically hilarious. LOL.
How I wish I had a brush hog mower. I use the finish mower like a brush hog. LOL!
I have been daydreaming about getting a shipment of something... anything... to make the gardening easier around here. You are very lucky!
Well, that just means you need to tear up some of your yard to put in a garden that is big enough for your tractor. HAHAHA! But 25x10 wouldn't stop me. I had great fun running my tractor in circles around the 4x4 posts at the corners of my 25x25 garden plot last year, dodging and weaving, in and out. Clipped one or two with the bucket loader, though. LOL!
It's nice to read about someone else's chickens for once. I can just picture them!
I feel for you with the deer. My Mom has the same problem... deer eating a Hibiscus outside her pool cage. I don't know if she finally gave up on it or what. Maybe you could dangle a snipping of hair on yours, or some soap, or spray it with some hot pepper mixture, or put one of your chicken's eggs there and let it spoil. LOL! |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 - 02:46 pm: | |
That would seem the most logical...but I think I shall keep it small. The summer heat makes being outside way too miserable and by the time I would get the energy to go weed...the poor garden would be nothing but weeds!LOL
I'm pretty good with the tractor, but it sure would make my little spot challenging...I'd have to pull the fence down in order to make the turns...our old International just don't make those tight turns, specially hauling the mower deck. I do love the brush hog...goes through everything...but I miss my Yazoo...now that's a mowin machine!! Hope DH gets it back up and running before the grass starts to grow! I've been using the tractor, but it just doesn't manicure the yard the way the Yazoo does. Sure do miss it and hope we can find the parts for it.
I tried the hair on it and the others as well as the rose bush last year...sorry to say they continued to eat away...must have liked my hair shampoo! I'm tempted to try covering it with my castnet, which surprisingly looks like the deer netting I saw at the Tractor Supply. Have you used the deer netting? Figure my castnet isn't getting much use right now anyway, couldn't hurt!! Also considering running a livestock wire around it...let the daring darlings get zapped when they go for it.
Hmmm, rotten chicken egg huh?...only bad would be the proximity to the porch...its right outside the screened area and I do enjoy sitting out here...grin.
As for the Birthdays...awww, geezzzz...I thought it was pretty cool myself! Now for the kicker...I'm 2/13 my first hubby is 1/13, my son is 12/13, my grandma is 3/13, and I have an uncle who is 4/13....got the 13th wrapped up tight!! My son got married on Friday 13th at the 13th hour (1pm)...we are 13th nuts...LOL |
Pfft, that's what I did. Haha!
Oh, yeah, good point!
It's hard to say. We had a drought last year and even the weeds didn't grow. HAHA!
I have, and I can't say that I particularly like it, although that doesn't stop me from using it. Just makes me complain every time I use it. It does keep the deer, mice, moles, woodchucks, and whatever else away, but it is a royal pain to work with. It gets caught on itself and everything around it. Not just once or twice, but constantly, and it's hard to untangle it. I would guess that probably wouldn't be an issue with a cast net, though, or else there'd be a lot of suicidal fishermen in the world. LOL!
That'll show 'em!
Maybe put a cloche over it while you're out there. LOL.
That's pretty cool. My Mom always sends me care packages full of weird things for Friday the 13th, whether or not it happens to be my birthday.
Now I have to go look up Yazoo. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 - 10:52 pm: | |
well unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, we are in the path of most summer hurricane rains. Even during drought conditions, which we seem to perpetually be in, one good Tropical storm puts this yard under water. The garden plot is pretty high, but heavy rains would definitely water log everything. My weeds always grow...thats what I mow...LOL
Yazoo is a Commercial Mower. Mine is pretty old, it is a sweet rider that mows like a champ. This one turns on a dime and gives back 9 3/4 cents change...love the zero turn. And I miss it dearly. |
Hahaha!
Cute. I saw one for sale on the Orlando Craigs List yesterday. Don't know if it's the same model as yours. It was an antiquey-looking thing. I saw lots of web sites offering parts, though, so hopefully you will get lucky and get yours running again sometime. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 09:00 am: | |
March has entered like a very sleepy lamb...the weather has remained pretty chilly for the past week or so, the end of February saw lows in the mid thirties and highs in the fifties to very low sixties. Brrr, since the prior week broke the records for the high temps, we had highs in the upper 80's. Such is life.
The tomatoes seem to like this weather. Had to pick several that were so heavy the branch was breaking. They will be fried as they are still green. YUMMMM.
Had several deer out in the back pasture the other day. Looked like the youngsters were playing around the adults as they grazed. The running movement was what caught my attention. So far, they don't seem to have discovered my garden... at least I haven't seen any prints inside the fenced area.
My yellow rose called "Sunsprite" is doing very well in her new location on the porch. As a thank you for rescuing, she has grown several inches and is now showing a beautiful bud which should open in another week or so.
Poor red Hibiscus... she continues to show new growth and had a very nice bloom last week. Every day the damage from the deer seems to be in a new spot. I did read something in one of the Jerry Baker books about egging the plants that deer were chewing. Now it looks like I'll be purchasing another of his books. Some of the "old remedies" are pretty interesting. For the Hibiscus, I'm willing to try anything at this point...went so far as to have DH urinate around it last year...still had the deer.
The Rose of Sharon Hibiscus we brought in last summer from a job site isn't looking very good. I cut it back several weeks ago to see if it would begin setting new growth...so far only the small area that was green is all that seems to be growing. DH wasn't too happy that I cut it, but hopefully it will begin to grow again soon.
Now that we are in March our chances of having any further frost is extremely slim so I will be working on the garden area this weekend and will get the Butterfly garden mats set out as well...I hope.
Today has started out with the promise of being a beautiful Spring day. Expected highs are in the mid to upper 70's with lows around the mid 60's tonight. Great weather for all of the Bikers down this week for the Bike Week festivities. |
Oh, that reminds me. I used commercially bottled coyote urine around my garden last year. That did wonders for keeping the deer away. I forgot all about that until I read your post. Maybe it would work for you. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Sunday, March 09, 2008 - 09:01 pm: | |
March 7, 2008
The plans to work in the garden this weekend are now on hold. The temps are expecting to be in the low 60’s through next week. What worries me at this time is the forecast for possible frost early Sunday morning. I truly thought I was in Florida!! The last weeks of February were in the mid to upper 80’s!! Now March has begun to roar...we have had temps in the low 70’s today and rain is on the way.
The heavy rain began around 2:30 this afternoon. Glad DH decided to bring home the load of dirt last night. The dump truck sure would have sunk the way the yard is beginning to hold water.
4:40 pm - we have had several rounds of heavy rain and it doesn’t appear that it will be letting up anytime soon. Our county and numerous others are under a tornado watch at present. The winds have been pretty strong, piles of pine straw from the roof are strewn across the back porch. Several times the crack of branches and the thud as they hit the ground has startled me as I watch the deep blue gray clouds fill the sky. The storm that was forecast has spawned tornadoes in several areas north of us. My girlfriend on the north side of town called and says the storms have been pounding her area most of the day. Sounds like this one is running almost exactly as predicted.
5pm - Glad to see DH made it home safe between the heavier storms. Since he came in, we have begun to hear the pine cones bouncing off the roof as the wind has picked up once more. The local weather shows us in the darkest portion of magenta at the moment. Outside the raindrops sound like a pressure washer as they are blown into the metal of our mobile home. The steady chink – chink of hail has had me bouncing from window to window checking the sky for signs of tornadoes forming. All the years spent growing up in the Midwest have helped to hone my weather eye where tornadoes are concerned. I may listen to the news, but I rely on my own senses. The hail has disappeared now, but I did manage to grab one piece during the onslaught. They were all about the size of a nickel. Glad that’s all. I would have hated to have seen what larger sized would have done to the vehicles and my yard and garden.
10 pm – News is forecasting rain well into the wee hours. Guess I’ll sleep pretty good as long as the wind stays pretty calm. Rain on this roof is very soothing to me.
Saturday March 8, 2008
WOW!! We sure did get a ton of rain last night. I slept like a log listening to the rain on the roof, but WOW...I sure never thought we’d have the standing water like we do this morning. I recall at one point the weather guy was saying something about us getting around 13” an hour in some areas...but the storm did move through pretty quickly...just kept dumping really massive quantities in separate storm cells as it moved off the coast. Guess we can be pretty thankful though, our neighbors north sure got some weather as well. At least ours was just much needed rain.
Big laugh...after all the rain...we are under Red Flag fire conditions today due to high winds...what a hoot!! Yes, I am aware of the reasoning, but come on, you couldn’t keep a firecracker lit in my yard right now...standing water everywhere. Sure did put a damper on the final days of Bike Week.
Went to work with DH today...he had several loads of construction debris to haul due to a blown hydraulic line Friday afternoon. Seems it happened right about the same time as the rain, so at least his day would have been done anyway. He managed to get the line replaced and the tank partially re-filled before coming home. The wind has been wild all day and made raising the bed of the dump trailer real spooky. Only three loads before we had to call it a day. The places we take the debris and concrete close at 2 pm on Saturday. Was a pretty sweet day with DH. I enjoy hanging out with my sweetie and have really missed it.
Sunday March 9, 2008
The day has been beautiful, but very chilly. The temps didn’t drop as low as expected for us, but the wind remained steady throughout the night. Our yard is pretty soggy, standing water in many places. Makes it looks as if we have a pond in the front and east side. Sometime while we were out yesterday our mailbox was knocked down. At first we assumed it could have been the wind, but then late this afternoon after we had got it set back in place the dogs kept going off. When I went to check I could hear the banging of metal and young voices. Went to the end of the driveway and found two young teens on a go-cart riding it down into the canal. Before I left the porch I could see them close to the end of our drive near the mailbox. Little hooligans! I don’t think they live on this side of the main road. Most of the people on our street are older and those that do have kids have very young kids. There are several around the area that choose to run their dirt bikes up and down our road but none of them live on this road. Wish the cop that lives next door would step in. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, March 10, 2008 - 11:05 pm: | |
Temps are still chilly for us today, the wind has had an icy feel since Saturday when the front moved through. Water is still standing in the yard in several spots and the area where we turn the vehicles around is pretty mushy and starting to rut. The high today was around 72 or so, but the chill from the wind had me in a light jacket and long sleeves most of the day. To think, I once laughed at people who wore jackets and thought temps below 70 were cold!! Now I am one of them...at least as long as I'm not having a "hot flash"!! It took me a few years of living in Florida to realize what was happening. My body has become very acclimated to the warm weather. We have almost nine months of warm balmy summer type weather and only about three months of cooler fall type weather. By the time the cold weather actually starts, its over. Only a few days where the temps don't get above 50 degrees. The night time lows rarely hit the freezing mark here in the Daytona Beach area during the winter months. When we do get a freeze it is usually gone within a day or two. Rarely do we have freezes lasting more than three days in a row. The body never has a chance to adjust to the cold. The heat on the other hand is a beast in its own right. While I do love the warm weather, the summer heat and high humidity can be brutal when one is in and out of the A/C. Better to leave the A/C off for as long as possible or by the truly hottest part of the summer there is no relief. My windows stay open most of the year, only being closed when I am freezing and turn the heat on or when I'm melting from the heat and finally turn on the A/C. DH works outside in the summer heat or I probably wouldn't turn the A/C on until the middle of July or beginning of August. I really hate to have the house closed up.
My planting is on hold until some of the water is absorbed. Decided working with mud while fun, would not accomplish what I am wanting to do without lots of effort. A few more days and the water should soak in.
Sun Sprite is looking like the bud will possibly open tomorrow. I have taken pictures of her and the water standing in the yard and also of the chickens with their new condo and yard. Now, if only I could remember where I've hid the charger for my camera...wouldn't you know, both batteries are dead and without a battery, I can't finalize the cd so I can download them to the computer...gggrrrr...must have taken it to the "dead zone" also known as my spare room. THAT will be a chore in itself just trying to figure out where in there it might be. Tis the room of pain...its a royal pain trying to find anything in there. Unfortunately, that's where everything I have no clue where to put ends up. Barely a path enough to open the door. Its also where my bookcase, desk and other neat things reside...now if only I can get it dug out and dealt with. A project that only gets larger with each passing day. I work a bit in there getting things sorted and tossed out and then put something else in there to store. Never ending cycle...feels like I'm going in circles. Wish I could find some extra energy to work it for about 8 hours straight. Doesn't help that I'm a bit ADHD...some days I am positively useless when it comes to focusing on any task. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Friday, March 14, 2008 - 03:22 pm: | |
The weather here in "Sunny" Florida is chilly and gray today. Was supposed to be warm 79 degrees and sunny. So much for the weather... Was going to continue trying to get the garden area re-worked with the new dirt DH brought in and also the front garden/walkway area as well. The chilly temps and threatening rain have chased me inside. Current temp is only about 60 degrees and its misting rain.
Saw the deer herd this morning...about 12 of the little darlings...out front at the edge of the wooded area. Only one decided to get closer to the house at that time and since it was staying away from the poor Hibiscus I didn't bother it. So sad that their habitat has been so destroyed by the builders and developers out here the past few years. One was hit out off the main road going towards town the other day. Seeing the poor thing laying off the side of the road almost made me cry.
Sunsprite has opened her first bloom of the year...this would have been her third or fourth had the deer not chomped on them. A very perfect looking bud that has opened into a beautiful full bloom. Her fragrance was filling the front porch the minute she began to open. So glad I have moved her to the porch where I can enjoy the fragrance as well as her beautiful blooms.
The tomatoes we have harvested from the garden have been excellent. The taste of fresh tomatoes just can't be beat in my opinion. Looking forward to some yummy eating all summer long. Now if I can just convince the rest of the garden plants to cooperate I'll be ecstatic!!
Still hunting for the charger to my camera so I can download the pictures of Sunsprite. Been reading some of the threads on Roses here on GB and since some of the members there helped me identify her I'd love to share with them again. Now if I can just figure out where I hid my energy... |
