This is nine days after my encounter with that venomous little insect. There's still a slight bit of swelling but my hand hasn't bothered me or hurt since last Friday. I could put my wedding ring on today for the first time. I just now tried to see if it would come off, and, ummm, it doesn't seem to want to budge. But I just came in from working in the garden (weeding in rock hard soil) and I'm kinda hot and sweaty so my fingers are no doubt a little more swollen than when I put the ring on this morning.
You can still see the spot on the outside of my hand, below my wrist, where the little bugger nailed me.Remember my blog post of August 5th when I showed pictures of us mowing down the strawberry plants?
Cut 'em right off, we did.
Just two weeks later, this is what they look like today. And all that growth was accomplished without any appreciable rainfall. Amazing. Too bad all plants in the garden don't work on the same cut-and-come-again principle, huh?
That is amazing! Yes, it's too bad we can't do that with all the plants, just mow down the bugs! How deep do you mulch the strawberry patch in the winter?
ReplyDeleteErin - We pile on about 12" of mulch but that quickly compacts down to probably about 6". Then if we get an early snowfall on top of that, we're in good shape.
ReplyDeleteThat is crazy growth! No wonder you picked strawberries like mad! What variety are they?
ReplyDeleteGlad your sting is so much better!
That is amazing (strawberries). I missed the bee sting, but I hope it heals quickly.
ReplyDeleteHave been away and was sorry to hear about your bee encounter. Wow, that was some sting. So glad you are finally on the mend.
ReplyDeleteYup, those strawberry plants are amazing. What type of mulch do you use?
So glad to hear the hand is healing:) I can't stand things like that, that can slow us down hehe. LOL at the strawberry plants, they are a determined little bunch. Can't wait to grow our own:)
ReplyDeleteApple Pie Gal - Strawberries are one thing that grow very well up here near the tundra. I'd have to dig (my new desk is STILL not organized) in files to find what two varieties are in the patch right now. (Very weak mind . . . can't remember.) I try whatever variety meets the criteria of "best flavor" and "biggest berry." (Takes just as long to pick and clean a small berry as a large one!) But, of course, the flavor's gotta be there.
ReplyDeleteKelly - Thanks, but as I say, I've had no pain from the sting for a week now. All is well!
Lorie - We mulch the strawberry patch with straw when we have it. Have also used moldy hay unfit for the animals.
Stephanie - I did have to put off canning/preserving for a couple of days because of the sting. I couldn't hold anything in my left hand so that did slow me down!
Whew, so glad your stings are healed. Interesting about the strawberries. I think I said last time I'd have to try this. Well, it's still on the list.
ReplyDeleteLeigh - Ah yes, that infamous list! I know I get a lot done each day, but it's really hard to feel good about it because of ALL those things on the list that didn't get done. Got a good solution for that?
ReplyDeleteThanks Mama Pea, seems when I have used straw/hay it goes to seed. Am I using the wrong stuff. How can I tell if it is not going to go to seed?
ReplyDeleteLorie - Yup, that is always a dilemma. Good straw will not have any seed left in it. It should be the by-product after all the seed has been efficiently removed. When we've used hay (which is more likely to have seed in it), we spread it out on the ground and let it get rained on a couple of times, or water it well with the hose, so any seeds will sprout and then die before we use it for mulch. One year I had a terrific stand of oats in my strawberries (%&^*!) because the oat straw had so many seeds left in it. It's sometimes a problem, no doubt about it.
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