Uncategorized

The squirrels made it into the corn. Anything close to ripe has been eaten. There are corn cobs strewn across the ground.

Consequently, the boys are now building a metal structure around the corn. Something that will hopefully keep the squirrels out. I sure hope so.  We lost last years’ crop of corn to squirrels, I would like to get some this year. And the corn is growing, and it is starting to ripen. So I’m sure the squirrels are hiding out holding their stuffed bellies. I hope they get belly aches.

In response to these little nasty critters, the boys are building a metal cage around the corn. The cage is about 8 feet tall and covers the entire bed. They said they’ll put in a door so we can get in and pick the corn.  I sure hope so. But we still still have something of a problem – can those nasties get under the cage? Can they dig their way under the bottom? That remains to be seen.

One other problem. The watermelons and cantaloupes are getting real cozy with the tomatoes. Yes, there is a walkway between them, but both sides are growing and reaching out towards the other bed. Right now you cannot walk between the tomato bed and the melons. I think they have already intertwined. Oh well. Pictures of these will have to be taken later – its raining again.

It is 80 degrees outside and pouring. Its one of those short downpours. You know the kind – quarter inch of rain in about 10 minutes.   That kind.  Its only Wednesday and we’ve had 2.47 inches this week so far. Gotta love Texas weather.

Yes, we had sunshine yesterday and today. And with luck we should have it for this week. Though of course that means its a bit warmer, 84 by mid afternoon, but the humidity is not too bad. It could mean summer is around the corner too. Not my favorite, but it will come one way or the other.

Last month, May we had over 6 inches of rain here at the house. And we had about 3-1/2 inches just last week alone. And other areas around here got more rain that we did.  We had many times where we got just the edge of the storm. We could watch lightning all around us, and just feel light rain here. But it’s nice to have a break.

Now for what has happened with the plants. Some of the irises are trying to bloom. So are some of the bluebonnets. Most of them did their thing before the rain, but some were truly late bloomers. Though we got some wind, not enough to cause damage here at the house. We were lucky there.  But everything is growing now. The “lawn” is tall and needs a hair cut. Its really weeds, not much grass.  I had thrown wild flower seed and buffalo grass seed out there over a year ago, so that is what our “lawn” is.

But the apple tree is doing fine, still has apples. Though the animals have been pecking and chewing at some of the fruit. The strawberries are bearing again. The peas are shot, they need to be pulled. The lettuce, well I’ve been pulling most of it up. We had enough heat that most of it bolted. Tore the onions out finally. But the corn is growing gang busters, some of the tomatoes are even ripening. And the squash plants have blossoms. We have peppers already – both bell and jalapenos. Its amazing what this much rain will do for a yard. I’ll try and get out and take pictures.

Oh, one problem. The bunnies and the squirrels seem be making friends with each other. That’s not good. The squirrels are showing the bunnies where to get into the yard. At least we have so much greenery around that the bunnies have not ravaged my plants too badly.

Okay, we got rain. So far we’ve had over 7 inches here at the house this month. In the past 12 hours we’ve had about 2 inches of it. And that’s not been a nice slow drizzle. We’ve had some short down pours in there. At one point we had power outages, just from the rain. They say Travis Lake rose 7 ft in 12 hours. That’s a lot of rain.

Even I-35 was closed for a while due to water over the freeway.

Blanco River at midnight was at just over 32 feet, flood stage is 13.  Its due to crest at 41.

So you rain dancers please take a break. I know you are due to begin your dance again tomorrow. Meanwhile, give us a break please!

This morning we’ve had a tornado watch, a tornado warning, a possible tornado sighted in Blanco, and 27 MPH gusts. And its raining. And the who thing has happened in less than an hour. But we’ve got rain. My planters are flooded. But I guess the plants will be happy – sort of. The corn is now leaning due to the wind and rain. They will probably straighten up with some sun and a chance to dry out. With luck we should get less rain the next few days, so maybe some sun. Maybe sun during part of the day and rain later? Who knows. But its weather.

Yes, happy Mother’s Day. A doe just dropped twins outside in front of my office.  Can’t get a picture of them as I’ve up above them and I have plants growing. But I can see them from my office.

Which is better than the bunny in the back yard we’ve seen over the past few days. Though both will enjoy eating my garden.

Bluebonnets in the yard

Yes, the corn is growing.

This hawk shows up sometimes and just sits on the hand rail.

The peas and beans are doing well I think.

The salad bowl.  Want salad, go pick it.

Yes fresh strawberries are great tasting.

  Tomatoes.  What can we say. The big guys are from the store, the small guys are from seed.

So,  how does your garden grow?

I think spring may have actually begun. The trees have flowers or new leaves, my asparagus are coming up, my beans and pea seeds are sprouting, and my iris’ are blooming. And the good news is today we’re even getting some rain. I threw out some seed – grass and wildflower, in areas of the yard that were bare. Hopefully with this rain we’ll see some of that take root. That would be nice.

Though I’ve had a couple of health issues, last week (with help) we got new plants in (tomato, petunias), replanted the roses in new larger pots, moved the lemon trees out of the greenhouse and into the yard, and we’ve been moving seedlings out into the sun. And all my seeds are coming up – hallelujah!  I think its time to start putting in more seeds.

YIPEE!! SPRING IS HERE!!