Vegetable Garden

In 2008 we started with a space about 10x10. Last year we went to 20x16 and under-utilized the space. This year we staying with the same square footage, but are committed to using it better.

Last week I tried to come up with fencing that would thwart animals, but not necessitate a gate. So far so good. I haven't seen the groundhog that lives under the barn yet this year. We suspect him the in the great broccoli raid of 2009. Last week we added peas, beans and carrots by seed. We also planted 4 cucumber seedlings and a tomato plant.

Libby got lettuce and cabbage in the ground early. We've enjoyed several tasty salads.

Fruits

In addition to the strawberries in the perennial bed we have these:

There are a couple of apple trees in the back. They produce a red apple that's pretty mild. Not much flavor raw, but they cook very well.

There are four blueberry bushes. I really meant to prune them back in February, but the moment got away from me. I tried to root cuttings back in the fall, but that failed. If we want more, I reckon we'll have to buy them like other folks. We'll have to cover these soon with mesh to keep the birds away from them.

Then there is the pear tree in the front. The first couple of years it didn't do anything. Last year it was full of fruit, and we couldn't keep up. Looks like this will be a good year also. A branch near the top of the tree that snapped during one of the winter storms, but I don't have a ladder tall enough to get at it and cut it out. There are couple of previous broken limbs also, that have kept on bearing fruit. But I think the tree would enjoy getting rid of the limbs that grow upside down!

Perennial Bed

This is the perennial bed at the front of the lawn. There was a huge rosemary shrub in here, but it died in the harsh winter.

The strawberries made it though, if somewhat reduced in vigor.

We put this rose bush in last year.

The peonies were gifts from Charlotte S. and Betty H. They are doing really well.

Libby's put herbs in a container on the side of the house.

There's also this orange bush. I forget exactly what it's called; we brought it with us from Richmond.

Birds

We've seen a lot of bird activity this spring. Mostly pigeons, grackles and robins.

A robin built a nest in a storage bin attached to the boys' play set last month. I got rid of a lot of it, knowing that because the boys were out there a lot, the birds would be sorely disturbed. Sadly the parents re-built the nest in a matter of hours. And I missed it. Next time I looked there were three eggs.

They hatched throughout last week. On Tuesday one of the babies fell out into the sandbox and died. These two are holding their own, though. The momma flies away every time someone comes near, trying to lure them away. The boys have taken it upon themselves to cut back some on the amount of time they spend near the nest area, to give the babes a chance to thrive.

In memory of Bud

My dad always got a kick out of ferns as they opened up in the spring. Here's one around our shed.

Painting

Briggs made this last week at school. It reminded me of stained glass. I turned it into a puzzle here. It had 10 solves and a positive comment within 10 minutes!

B'ball Briggs

Briggs has really taken to basketball recently. The ACC and NCAA men's competitions last month helped pique his interest. The Folly came with a pole and a shabby backboard. The old backboard is long gone but the pole is very sturdy. Uncle David and Aunt Brenda provided the new backboard and rim; Briggs got a new ball from the Easter Bunny, and we got a new installation kit on-line this week. It all came together this evening. We left the rim at about 6 1/2 feet. Not nearly regulation, but higher than what Briggs is accustomed to. He can make a shot with concentration, but has to work at it. Seems like a pretty good set-up for the time being.