Thursday, April 14, 2016

Can't Plant Yet!

This post and pictures aren't to convince those of you who garden in more temperate climates that those of us gardeners who live in the far north are totally crazy, but rather to document the current conditions for this (slow) spring of 2016.

Last year, on the 15th of April, the soil was thawed and warmed enough that I planted my Sweet Pea flowers in the garden alongside the trellis I had erected for them to climb on.


This year . . . conditions are a little different. 


Although all of the raised beds are free of snow as is all but the bottom couple of feet of the field garden, there's still up to a foot of snow in some of the lower areas.


This is our raspberry patch and 
part of our
blueberry patch.

Our temp is actually going to reach 50 degrees today (okay, maybe with a little boost of my warm finger on the bulb of the thermometer when no one is looking), and we're expecting even warmer temps in the next several days.

The pond is free of ice and the adult geese and ducks are enjoying it immensely.  Of course, now when I want to get a picture of them splashing around, the pond is devoid of water fowl.  They all must be up by their pens taking an afternoon siesta.

First thing this morning, we had six wild Mallards swimming on the pond.  We saw only two or three all season last year in contrast to the forty-some we've had hanging around other years.  We're really hoping they'll make a comeback this year.

20 comments:

Laurie said...

It's wild, I tell ya....just wild. I don't know who's more anxious for you to be able to plant, you or me. Ha!

Sue said...

I can't wait to see your "gang" on the pond. Hope you get some pics.

As for not being able to plant until June whatever---we make up for it with ENDLESSLY LONG days---I'm always amazed at what we grow in 3 short months. I chuckle when people "worry" that they are late getting their tomatoes in in APRIL or May. Try June 15!!
But it all works out and I wouldn't trade life up north for anything and I know you feel the same way. It's a special kind of life, not for everyone (and I"m REALLY glad about that part!) Keeps it a whole lot less populated up here---teehee

Mama Pea said...

Laurie - Must admit after seeing your last post with those healthy, sturdy looking little plants standing at attention in your garden, I felt like I'm living in Siberia.

Mama Pea said...

Well, Sue of the North, you know of what you speak, and I couldn't agree with you more!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Brrr rr r rr rrrr.

Sandy Livesay said...

Mama Pea,

My flame thrower is still available to melt off that snow :-)

Wild Geese usually come back to the same place yearly. At Bulldog Man's work they have a beautiful section of property. The geese love this property and return every year.

Hang in there Mama Pea.....the snow will be gone soon :-)

gld said...

It is strange how wild life behaves....we notice the same thing on the farm with wild turkeys. We had a l00 or so in an area and I haven't seen them for days now.

Hold on; soon you will be very busy in that beautiful (and neat!) garden.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

I hope the weather here is exactly what they say it will be - warm and sunny. I bet those ducks are happy to see the ice thaw.

Tombstone Livestock said...

Your right about keeping the neighborhood to yourself Sue. Enjoy, supposed to be 90 here this weekend, California and it's 8 month summers.

Anonymous said...

Well Mama Pea, here in the northeast, the garden is ready to be cleaned. The temps will be steadily climbing this coming week :-)

Mama Pea said...

Tombstone Livestock - And into the heat of summer you go!

Mama Pea said...

JoAnn - But it did get up into the SEVENTIES today. Wahoo! (Still some snow left though. :o[ )

Mama Pea said...

Sandy - Although we had a lovely, warm, sunshiny day, there's still snow left. A bunch of it. Please send flame thrower.

Mama Pea said...

Glenda - We've been wondering if the wild Mallards have succumbed to some of the environmental poisoning because of their scarcity the last couple of years. I sure hope not. The ones this morning flew away as soon as hubby went out to do morning chores.

Mama Pea said...

Kristina - It's funny that even the chickens seem to like to go down to the pond to drink . . . even though they have much "cleaner" water in their house!

Mama Pea said...

mari - Hope you can get out to start some cleaning in your garden . . . but I DID see some snow in your most recent post! ;o]

Connie said...

It's 79 degrees here today. Feels so good.

Mama Pea said...

Cootie Bug - Even we got up to the low 70s today! How 'bout that? And, yes, it feels so good!

odiie said...

I hope all of the snow went with the warm temps we've been having the last couple of days. The beautiful ladybugs have hatched out in force. They're landing on the computer as I write.
I bet you're itching to get out in the garden. Soon..

Mama Pea said...

odiie - We STILL have snow in the more shaded spots, but the mud is starting to dry up a little. Garden soil is still way too wet and a bit frozen but it's getting better. Good temps but rain forecast possibly for today through tomorrow. But that will help take the rest of the snow . . . but bring more mud! :o]