April showers... and more!

We have had a very rainy week. The rain garden is so full, it is attracting mallards. If I had put out my rain gauge, I could tell you just how much rain my yard has received, but take my word for it - it's a LOT. I have even mowed the lawn, twice.

(Looking at the photo above makes me think surrounding the rain garden with daffodils would be pretty.)

The story behind my quasi obsession with flamingos is based in part on my dad. He was a chemist who at the end of his career landed at Foster Grant in Leominster, Massachusetts, the purported plastics capital of the world. Union Products, the manufacturer of plastic pink flamingos, was also located in Leominster. One day I got it into my head that I wanted some pink flamingos from the source, so I asked my dad to oblige. Three arrived in the mail shortly thereafter. Over the years, and with the help of my son and daughter-in-law, I have added to the collection.

Alas, I am one of those people who is not careful to take all my yard stuff in during the winter. Two of the original flamingos have lost their heads. I'm not one to be sentimental about my belongings, but I am a bit regretful about this little tragedy. The remaining flamingo will become an indoor ornament.

My cataract surgery was successful. I'm a little shocked at how bright everything is. Clio's eye surgery followed; her recovery is a bit more complicated, as she has to wear the "cone of shame". We both have eyedrops, which I administer four times a day.

I uncovered the strawberry plants a few days ago. It looks like they took a beating this past winter. I'm contemplating transplanting the survivors, from the raised bed into the ground proper. The garlic I planted with them seems to be okay, though.

The redbud at the back of the yard is trying to bloom. Too soon! Too soon! We may have a hard frost this week.

Waiting for warm-ish weather

Strolling around the yard produced no inspiration for photos today. A few shrubs and trees are starting to show signs of life, but not camera-worthy yet. So let's look at hammerhead worms!

This photo is courtesy of the Purdue University Landscape Report, as is the text below.

Hammerhead worms, sometimes called shovel-headed garden worms, are a type of land planarian, or flatworm. Flatworms are worm-like organisms that lack the segmentation of earthworms and have the ability to regenerate from parts and pieces. Hammerhead worms belong to a subset of planarians, the genus Bipalium; while there are a few native species of Bipalium, most are from tropical regions. It is believed that hammerhead worms have been present in North America for long time, preferring environments that stay warm and moist through most of the year. Hammerhead worms are named for their spade-shaped head and typically have bright colors with dark lines running the length of their bodies. They are often found in indoor spaces and greenhouses that are temperature controlled and maintain humid conditions. Hammerhead worms can also be found living under rocks, fallen trees, or anywhere that can maintain a high enough relative humidity. While some flatworms are able to live in drier conditions, Bipalium need moisture in order to survive.

Members of Bipalium are predatory, consuming invertebrates like earthworms, snails, slugs, and some soft-bodied insects. Once they capture a prey item, they envelop it in a mouth-like organ located on the underside of their bodies. The primary issue with hammerhead worms is the potential damage they can do by preying on beneficial organisms that maintain soil and plant health. Hammerhead worms, and all other planarians, lack a closed body plan that uses a one-way digest system. Once they eat something, it is digested and waste is excreted through that same mouth-like opening. Some members of Bipalium can also use a toxin called tetrodotoxin to subdue their prey; however, they only produce a small amount and lack a way to use it on a larger organism. While they are often confused for more dangerous species, the Bipalium in North America do not represent a human health concern. Just keep any pets or children away from them, and if found, use gloves if you’re forced to handle them.

As mentioned above, one of the more unique traits of Bipalium, and planarians in general, is their capacity to regenerate new individuals from parts and pieces. A piece as small as 1/279th of the whole can regenerate into a new individual. Do not attempt to chop up or crush hammerhead worms, or you may be dealing with several dozen when new worms develop in two weeks. However, even though it seems like hammerhead worms could reproduce very quickly, it’s still fairly uncommon to see one. If found, place it in a bag or bucket with either salt, alcohol, or vinegar until the worm is dead. As long as you do not cut or chop up the worms, it is very unlikely you’ll have to deal with more than one at any given time. Just keep your eyes open and remember to report any sightings to 1-866-NOEXOTICS!

I doubt I will ever have to deal with this oddball invasive at my current location, thank goodness.

Fall cleanup is winding up - just a few more things to do. I'm getting antsy to plant something - anything! - but I will have to wait. This morning's dog walk required a parka, mittens, and hat. At least the sun is shining and the goldfinch are back.

Weather whiplash

That is what "they" are calling the weather this spring - whiplash. Some days the high and low temps vary by as much as 30 or 40 degrees. I find it difficult to figure out what to wear. Today it is a pair of shorts and a tee.

Crocus of some kind

I saw an article about the "March mehs". Apparently, some people find the interim between winter and summer tedious and blah. Maybe these people have no yards and/or live where there is very little green space. Seeing the spring bulbs emerge despite a brutally cold winter gives me hope that everything will be okay. In fact, the flowers seem particularly joyful this year.

First daffs

While wandering around the house the other day, I found a plastic flap on the ground. It must have broken off the exhaust fan housing during one of the extremely windy days we have experienced. Fortunately, my daughter is in the remodeling biz and sent over a contractor to take care of that (and several other little jobs around the house).

Yes, I know the siding needs to be cleaned

Fall cleanup continues. The north and south sides of the house are now (relatively) tidy. All that remains is the backyard. Cataract surgery is not holding me back - one more eye to go.

Happy Pi Day

A few times I have actually baked a pie on Pi Day, but not this year. I've just been stupid busy. Plus I don't really need pie.

The grass keeps getting greener, a few early bulbs have popped up, and the weather is its usual crazy with some in-like-a-lion winds. Tomorrow the low will be 37 degrees, the high 67. I'm wondering when I can uncover the strawberry plants.

Crocus tommassinianus 'Roseus'

In completely unrelated news, I fell. Again. And once again, it was due to a dog. No trip to the ER this time, since my injuries were limited to some bruises and scrapes and a fat lip. I've thought of making a collage from the photos of all my falls over the years and titling it "Me v. Gravity".

And speaking of the dog, Clio has a growth on her eyelid that the vet has insisted is cosmetic. Lately it has been bothering her, which causes her to rub her eye, then lick her paw. The licking is vigorous enough that she now has a sore on her leg. So he is going to remove the growth in a couple of weeks.

But first. I am having cataract surgery. Almost everyone I know who has had it done is pleased with the outcome. There are a few disgruntled folks who complain about having to use reading glasses, which I will need to do as well. And I'm okay with that.

The doc says I won't have any limitations on activity afterwards, so fall cleanup will continue while I itch to do some fun yardwork, like installing new plants, which I have yet to order. Like I said, stupid busy.

Spring forward

Every year I hope that someone somewhere manages to do away with Daylight Savings Time. It doesn't "save" any "time". It just annoys us all. Pick one and stick with it!

Meanwhile, spring is creeping into the yard. Today I spotted these snowdrops. Some of the "Tommies" (Crocus tommassinianus 'Roseus') are up as well.

I have a "new" camera, a SLR one that I am struggling a bit with. I prefer to use the autofocus feature, but it keeps focusing on the wrong thing. I guess I will have to step up and learn how to focus it manually.

This past week I sowed the rudbeckia seeds directly in the ground, as they need to be exposed to cold to germinate. The forecast shows the temperatures all over the place, so I am hopeful.

The latest piece of metal yard art (or fence art?) is up. I love it, but may move it to the side of the shed.

The other day a landscape guy stopped by to see if he could talk me into having my trees trimmed. My trees are not that big, not even the 35+ year old "Crimson King" maple in the front yard (the slowest growing tree in the world). I can't imagine hiring someone to cut off a lower limb or two that threaten my noggin while mowing. He left his card, which I later noticed included mosquito control as a service. The last guy who came to the door offering *that* got an earful from me. No wonder the bird population is declining so fast.

Harbingers of spring

Thursday I spotted a redwing blackbird at the sunflower seed feeder. They normally avoid the feeders except in spring when pickings are slim. They are much better signs of spring than robins. Ditto vultures and crows, both of which are back.

(Not a very good photo, as I had to use my camera phone from inside.)

The Home and Garden Show is in progress; we went on Thursday. I purchased another piece of metalwork that I may hang on the front porch, after shifting the current fair weather piece to the back fence. It is time to remove the (plastic) winter wreath, before the sparrows start nesting in it.

I also purchased some seeds at the show: Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Giant Zinnia Mix (Zinnia elegans), Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia speciosa), and Black Hollyhock (Alcea rosea nigra), from a company called Circa Seeds. The black eyed Susan needs to go in the ground NOW, as a cold period is necessary for germination. I was going to buy plants, but seeds are cheaper and easier than hunting down this particular variety. I like giant zinnia because they grow three feet tall. Mexican sunflower is on my list, as it is very attractive to pollinators. And the black hollyhock (which won't bloom until next year) will be for dyeing yarn.

The fact that there were no native plant nurseries at the show was disappointing, but perhaps not unexpected. I'm sure booth rental is expensive.

Fall clean-up continues. Most of the frontyard looks clean(er). The forecast for the next week looks like lots of rain, so I'm not sure how much will get done then.

It ain't over til it's over

Last Wednesday night it stormed, complete with thunder and lightning. In the morning, it hailed (see pix below). Last night it snowed. So despite the "January thaw" we had last weekend, winter is not leaving yet.

Before things went south weatherwise, I managed a bit of fall cleanup (which I do in the spring). And dog poop pickup. There is still more of both, of course.

The starlings that were absent most of the winter are back, from the north or south, I don't know. They don't like a lot of my offerings and can't reach most of what they do like, but they make quick work of the suet cakes and peanut splits. Jerks. But they are also patroling the lawn; I hear they like grubs.