another mystery of nature

This summer, our yard in wisconsin got decimated as shown. Overnight, something ripped up the sod, and left no tracks we could find. At first we thought feral pigs, which are beginning to spread in Wisconsin, but they would have left tracks. Neighbor says they suspect skunks going after grubs, but damn, I don't want to get sprayed by the behemoth that left this carnage.

The impatiens that ate Cincinatti

Not sure what mutation transpired in the back yard here, but we have this hulking Impatiens towering over the normal sized ones in this pot. Anyone ever seen this happen before?

yeah, another miracle

Here they come! I think we are going to have our hands full this summer. Did I mention the 1-1/2 lb of bean seeds we plan to plant? Bought deer fence materials last week, will put up as needed.

spring planting

Decided to ramp up our gardening effort this spring, with starting seeds indoors for the first time with grow lights and warming mats. Last year we did some with trying to use sunlight, but the plants were leaning toward the window too much, and getting leggy. While they transplanted ok, could have thived better with a better setup. This spring we planted two kinds of tomotoes, broccoli, and various peppers.

They are in my workroom in the basement. I'm starting 10 starter trays with 36 cells in each, and still have seeds left over. I think we'll watch the sprouting, and quickly infill any duds with the leftover seeds.


Actually, one of the trays has Impatiens in it for the planters here at home, the veggies will all go north in May.

As you can see it takes a lot of care to get these puppies wired up correctly.




With the scads of dry bean seeds we bought, I think we may be in over our heads this year. The tiller is going to be working OT once we get up there and the weather is right. Did *I emntion the potatoes we plan to plant also??

emerging from winter hibernation

that's my story and I'm sticking to it. No other reason I hanve't posted since November. Here are a couple shots from our trip up in January. Herbs in the sunroom doing well, even with no regular watering and no heat in there. Enough sun during the day gets them through the night. Basil died of course, but the rosemary, sage and thyme were ok .

The photos didn't do it justice of course, but the hoarfrost was very heavy and very beautiful.