Indoor weekend

It is raining AGAIN. I can tell that a couple of my downspouts need to be cleaned out. One problem with shade trees close to the house is leaves in the gutters.

Lots of weeding this week. Initially, I was a bit discouraged, as they were definitely getting away from me. The string trimmer helped cut many of them down to size so I could spray them without using up too much herbicide.

Some planting has happened as well, although not as much as I had hoped for because of the weed situation. The 'Fluffy' western arborvitae is in the ground. I planted green beans in the milk crate container again.

Fluffy was a bit root-bound

And I was able to find some pineapple sage at the other Stuckey's greenhouse. Man, that place is big! And not easy to navigate. Or park at. But I'm glad to know where it is and what it is like.

There is another nursery in Churubusco, called Fingerle Farms. I may check them out for hanging baskets. Ordinarily, I am not interested in hanging baskets, but for some reason I can't get enough color this season.

The lawn service I use only spot treats weeds in the yard. This past week, they managed to nip two catmint plants. I let them know, they offered to replace the plants if they don't survive (although I think they will), but still. A couple of years ago I had trouble with the neighbor's lawn service spreading their granuals on the catmint on the other side of the yard.

On a dog walk at Salomon Farm this week, I witnessed two birds (grackles?) chase a squirrel down the trail. I wonder what that was about. And speaking of squirrels, this youngster has been visiting the deck, munching on maple seeds.

There must be young (and stupid) birds all about, as I keep hearing them hit the windows. One just would not give up trying to land on the reflection of a tree. As soon as I have the chance, I am going to try this solution for bird strikes. Hopefully, it won't look too weird.

More yardening, despite the snow

Last Wednesday, two separate people told me we were getting a foot of snow on Friday. I don't know where they get their information, but my weather app predicted a few inches, and what we got was even less than that, after a lot of rain. Today is sunny and warm, so I worked on cutting down grasses on the south side of the house. Yeah, I do my fall clean-up in March.

I purchased this mason bee house several years ago (2008?) but kept forgetting to put it up. Something must have jogged my memory this year, as it is now hanging on the southeast corner of the shed. For more information on these super-duper pollinators, watch this YouTube video.

The Tommies (Crocus tommassinianus 'Roseus') are up, and I put the macro function on my phone camera to use documenting their existance before they disappeared. Rabbits probably snacked on the blossoms, as they are no longer to be seen.

I think I saw a redwing blackbird at the feeders the other day. They don't visit often but do make an appearance in the spring. Besides the usual fox squirrels, this black one (from a melanistic subgroup) showed up. Today, the dogs are keeping all rodents at bay, as I kicked them out to enjoy the sunshine before we receive more rain tomorrow.

My SO and I went to the Home and Garden Show last Thursday. It was unusually busy for a weekday, probably because of that snowy forecast. I purchased two pieces of yard art, which I will show you once they are installed. I also spoke with a solar salesman, as I'm thinking that may be a better solution than a backup generator in case we lose power, say after a storm. What say ye?

Road trip

This past week we spent a few days in Chicago. My daughter arranged the trip, as a kind of end-of-school-year treat for my granddaughter. All we had to do was tag along. I did make one request: that we visit the Lurie Garden. If I lived in Chicago, I would want to be near this spectacular year-round piece of green space.

The plants are not labeled, but I recognized many of them. And those I didn't got the Google Photos Lens treatment: take a photo, open it in Google Photos, click the Lens icon, and the app will try to match it with other photos. Very handy.

We also visited the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, which included an installation by Nick Cave of thousands of wind spinners. They were mesmerizing. If they sold them in the museum shop, I would have bought one. Instead, I purchased one at Wild Birds Unlimited (I had a coupon!)

Back home, we had another visitor to the backyard, a young squirrel who found itself trapped on the pergola. What you don't see in the photo is Finn sitting at the base of the post, keeping an eye on the youngster.

My next door neighbor has the kind of parents who periodically show up to help her with yardwork. They aren't very friendly, will say hi and that's about it. I'm sure they are wondering what in the world is going on in my yard. If they asked, I would tell them I am waiting on the landscaper to work his magic. Meanwhile, I keep the lawn mowed and trimmed.

Suburban wildlife

Most of the time, the only wildlife in my backyard are birds. In the past, woodchucks were the bane of my existance along with rabbits. Between the privacy fence and the dogs, most critters keep away except for one bunny and a few squirrels. So imagine my surprise when I found this opossum in the backyard.

At first, I thought the dogs had killed it, but no, opossums are very good at "playing dead". There was at least one baby on board; opossums are marsupials with a pouch, which this little guy was trying frantically to find. Mom was not helping in the least.

There were a couple more close encounters between the opossum and the dogs, so I thought she would leave. But the other night, I saw Baby wandering around on the deck after dark. They seem to have taken up residence in the dog house.

On top of the opossum, this black squirrel made an appearance. I've seen squirrels with this mutation in the neighborhood, just never in my own backyard. The squirrels (and presumably the opossum) clean up under the bird feeders.


And, not to be oudone, a bunny got everyone excited by making an appearance by the front walk.

The orioles and catbirds have abandoned their feeder for now, so I took it down. I also removed the mealworm feeder, as the only birds using it were sparrows and the occasional bluejay. The local paper printed a photo of a hummingbird at a nearby nature preserve; I hung out my hummingbird feeder, but so far, no takers. I think the robins in the front yard and the wrens in the back are nesting; in another week or so, I may hear some hungry peeps.

The pagoda dogwood has been blooming its little heart out this year. I can't find many photos of this tree on my blog, but I don't know if that is because it doesn't usually bloom so well or if I just neglected to document it.

The hawthorn in the front yard is blooming as well. I can't miss that as I see it every time I open or close the drapes over the picture window.

It seems like it is either raining or I am mowing. Everything seems HUGE this year, even the (doomed) rhubarb.

While the Clematis Paniculata is putting out some new growth, it looks like the 'Jackmanii' clematis did not survive the winter in a container despite my precautions. Now I'm back to the idea of trying to raise Virginia creeper, which covers a section of the privacy fence, in a container. All I want is something to grow on the pergola.

Sunshine on snow

This area of Indiana is known for its gray and taupe winters - gray skies, taupe landscape. But last week's snow is still here, thanks to some very cold temps. The sun is shining as well. My neighbor's snowblower broke, so I had to do some shoveling, but I did not mind, too much. My shoulders did not appreciate the extra exercise.

Inside, I had my kitchen cabinets refaced and the vanities in the bathrooms replaced. Now that things have settled down, it's time give indoor herb gardening another go and to contemplate what I hope to accomplish in the yard this year. In the past, I created overly optimistic to-do lists. There is really only one thing on my list this year: continue with downsizing. In the past, I have tried to nurture a meadow in the southwest corner of the backyard. I still think about that, so I will leave that area for last, to keep my options open.

The sparrows really like the millet; groundfeeding juncos seem to like it, too. I put some "bark butter" on the trees in the front yard, but it looks untouched so far. The berry-and-nut suet I tried was a hit with almost everyone, even a squirrel. Now I am trying a pure suet block.

End of the musts, more or less

Last week I replaced the DOA cherry tree with another (Grandpa's Orchard gives great customer service), then my SO and I hauled in three loads of horse manure, and last Monday I planted the garlic. That marks the end of the must-do items on the yardening list. Of course, there is always more that can be done, but nothing that can't wait.

Look what the manure brought

Oh. Except strawing the strawberries and the newbies on the south side of the house. It's really windy today, and wet, so maybe tomorrow.

Pinetree Garden Seeds again wins the award for earliest seed catalog of the season. I haven't looked at it yet - it's just too soon, still recovering from this past year, although I am making plans for next (always).

The birds finally showed an interest in the homemade birdfeed thingies. A squirrel stripped the toilet paper rolls - must have been the peanut butter.

Taken through a wet-with-rain window

Last mow?

It has been warm but dry here, unusual weather for us this time of year. While the grass growing has been slow, it didn't stop altogether. I think it is done now, so I mowed for what I hope is the last time this season. I also trimmed and weeded a bit out front; the backyard needs more attention, but then that is always the case.

I took these pix a couple of weeks ago.

Dwarf Fountain Grass 'Hameln', from the front

Dwarf Fountain Grass 'Hameln', from behind, with cotoneaster

, Pampas Grass, Northern Sea Oats, Switchgrass

Little Bluestem

Tulip Poplar

Blueberry ('Patriot' I think)

Hydrangea 'Limelight'

The garden mid clean-up

Viburnum 'Blue Muffin'

Rhubarb

I have been calling the grass pictured below Big Bluestem, but BB does not get such a plume-like seed head. So now I have no idea what this is.

The little squirrel came by for a closer photo op. I can't decide if he is a small species of squirrel or just a young one. I have seen a couple of black squirrels here and there, in other neighborhoods.

And I spotted the albino robin; he is hard to miss.

Indian summer

We had a hard frost the other night, hard enough to do in the zinnia and marigold but not the bee's friend. I threw a sheet over the coleus on the front porch (which didn't help much) and the herbs on the deck (they survived). Now we are back to more moderate nightly temps as the trees turn and the yard and garden work winds down.

The plants from Prairie Nursery are in place on the south side of the house, and most appear to be doing fine. (Since this is the time of year when they go dormant, I'm hoping root growth is making up for the lack of vigor above ground.) It has been unusually dry, so I water them every two days.

Thanks to Mr. (or Ms.) Woodchuck, the sweet potato harvest was disappointing, especially considering all the trouble of raising them in black felt grow bags. Besides continuing to make my garden less accessible to wildlife, next year I may actually try (once again) growing sweet potatoes in the garden proper, as my SO has doubled the height of some of the raised beds.

I don't feed the birds during the summer, as they seem more interested in dining on fresh foods. While it is too soon to plug in the bird bath, the cool temps and calling jays remind me to fill the feeders. The spilled seed attracts the non-avian clean up crew, including this young squirrel.

Its appearance drove the indoor cat nuts.

Sometimes by fall, I'm a little sick of the yard and garden, but this year I am trying to be more diligent about cleaning out the vegetable beds. Also, anything that can be done now may (hopefully) ease the hectic pace of spring. And in the back of my mind are changes I want to wreak upon the yard going forward.

What plans do you have in mind for your yard and garden next year?

Critters

Finally, a very nice day, as evidenced by neighbors walking dogs, pushing strollers, riding motorcycles and bicycles and skateboards. There is still snow on the ground, but it's giving way. Hopefully it will be completely gone before it rains on Friday.

The birds were a bit of a disappointment this winter. Regular visitors included a pair of cardinals, several blue jays, a junco or three, rarely a woodpecker, but otherwise it was sparrows and finches. The squirrels scavenged under the feeders. Since they came in singles, I was not sure if it was the same squirrel or several, but it had to be more than one because one was missing the fur on half its tail.

Today I heard a constant (and annoying) chirping, which I assumed was a bird on the roof. Eventually, I realized the noise was coming from my attached garage, and again assuming it was a bird, I opened the garage door so it could fly out. But the noise continued. Using inhuman stealth, I managed to crack the mudroom door open enough to see it was a chipmunk. But why would it not leave? I tried scaring it out, without success. Then I worried it had been hibernating in the garage all winter and was now attempting to attract a mate! Eventually, the chirping stopped, so it either departed or went back to sleep.

I took advantage of DST and spent some time outside this afternoon. Daffodils have broken through on the south side of the house. I dragged the mower through the snow, from the shed to the garage, so I can have it serviced. And a lot of pooper scoopering occurred, another sure sign of spring.

The squirrel thanks us

At first, I was dumbfounded to see a squirrel in the bird feeder. Then I realized the new garden fence provided him a leg up. That's okay - bird feeding season is almost over.

Self control

When I was a kid, my younger brother and I would leaf through xmas catalogs, pointing and chanting "I want that and that and that and that..." Not much different than what I do now, but with seed catalogs. Since this is to be a rebuilding year, I had to put the brakes on. I want to grow something, but what?

Part of the plan for this year is to subscribe to a CSA, so I started by looking through the list of fruit and vegetables they supply. This helped me narrow my garden list to the following:

• Peas - snow, snap, and English
• Sweet potatoes (which I plan to start from my own slips)
• White potatoes (for winter storage)
• Paste tomatoes
• Green beans (to freeze)
• Onions (for winter storage)

I am also going to start beds of:

• strawberries
• raspberries
• asparagus

For flowers, there will be marigolds, zinnias, sunflowers, and magic lilies, aka naked ladies. Since the winter rye I tested for viability FAILED, Canadian field peas was added to the list, for green manure. And, because I could not help myself, I also ordered a blueberry plant.

And that's all! Sometimes I start feeling overwhelmed by the garden before I have planted even one seed, but this feels manageable. The potatoes will grow in grow sacks, the veggies will go into 5 of the new raised beds, strawberries and asparagus in the raised beds by the patio, and the raspberries in the long raised bed. The magic lilies are for the south side of ths house, the other flowers to fill in the blanks. Not sure where I will put that blueberry plant.

I'm excited!

And now, for your amusement, some more squirrel pictures.

Me watching you watching me

Pole dancing

The Birds

Sometimes the best bird feeding days are not in the dead of winter, but in late spring when the "snow birds" return but there isn't much food available. The most obvious (and obnoxious) returnees are the grackles and starlings. They act like bullies and hog the feeders.



But the starlings cleaning out the suet feeders is a sure sign of spring.

(These are not the best of pics because I took them through the window, plus the dryer vent was expelling visible vapor not too far away.)

I rarely see more than one pair of cardinals at a time, so I presume it's the same pair.



They must have my yard staked out as their territory.



There are always plenty of sparrows and house finches. Some people consider them the "wrong kind" of bird, but they need to eat, too. And reproduce; I just wish they would not do it in my bluebird boxes.



Juncos are a winter staple.



I think this one is an Oregon junco; in real life, it looks rufous-colored. The Midwest is not their regular stomping grounds, but according to my Peterson's, it is not unusual to see them at feeders as far east as the Atlantic seaboard during migration, either blown off course or with broken GPSs.



The list of those that escaped my camera lens today includes a yellow(!) goldfinch at the window(!) feeder. We gaped at each other for a few seconds before we each came back to life. My camera was in the other room, and of course by the time I fetched it, the bird was gone. Another quickie was the hawk that swooped in, which caused a sudden scattering of grackles. I actually had my camera in hand, but it had not only gone to sleep, but shut down. The hawk left before I could react. Ditto a redwing blackbird.

(I have pics of mourning doves and female goldfinches, but they are too fuzzy to bother posting.)

We had our share of four-legged visitors as well.



This squirrel was actually one of two raiders. I tried to get a photo of the two squirrels, feasting on separate feeders, but squirrel #1 saw me and hopped down. Then squirrel #2 noticed squirrel #1 and gave chase. Once again, my tortoise-paced reflexes missed capturing the action.

A shy bunny hopped by briefly.



Rabbits usually feed at dawn and dusk, but it is one cold and blustery day. (In fact, it is snowing right now.) I'm sure he was hoping for a quick bite, but when the current nuclear feeding flock suddenly dispersed, he disappeared along with them. Smart bunny.

Fat Friendly Fraze

Squirrel acrobatics:

Me: Help! Thief!


FFF: You talkin to me?


FFF: Don't make me come down there!


FFF: Are you going to behave?


FFF: You can run but you can't hide.


FFF: This is your last chance.


Flash!


FFF: How did you like them apples?


FFF: Hope you learned your lesson.


FFF: All is forgiven.


FFF: Speaking of apples, the ones you threw out for the robins are delicious.


And, finally, the first yellow of spring: