Busy Summer

Replaced Reverse Osmosis Filters (pre, post, and RO) end of August.

Planted more Asiatic Jasmine on hill East of steps.

Planted Liriope alongside front walkway and around Persimmon tree (which seems to be struggling with little new growth).

Fig tree has produced over a dozen figs this year and seems to be taking off.

Farthest North Pawpaw tree lost its topmost leaves, not sure why.

Hydrangea has lush foliage but no flowers (maybe not enough sun?).

Gardenia closest to front porch died, but two on either side of front steps seem to be hanging in there.

Black Australorps have begun molting (early?).

Lots of rain, little need to water.

Heirloom Pink Brandywine tomatoes have grown almost 10 feet tall with many flowers, but are not fruiting.  Lack of pollination, or too much nitrogen?  Had to add epsom salt just to get flowers.

Bellpeppers growing well, flowering and fruiting (after epsom salt).

Changed oil on truck in August.  Replaced rear lightbulbs (blinkers, brakes, reverse).  Added in-line fuel pump in July.  Changed oil and cleaned air filter in lawnmower.  Sharpened lawnmower blades.

Had to replace main support beams on back porch awning.  Sealed roof where leak had rotted previous support.

Monthly spraying with Bifenthrin, Bravecta for the dogs.  No fleas seen this year, and little mosquito activity.

Started private practice on Capitol Street.

 

Anticipating Spring

Heirloom tomatoes (seeds saved from last year) are planted in Jiffy seed starter, in southern window.  6 of 10 pink brandywine and 4 of 10 striped germans have sprouted so far (3 days in).  4 purple cherokee look about to break surface.  None of pomegranate seeds have germinated, yet … But I think I might see some activity on the pomegranates slightly below the surface.

Started new mulch bed on left side of yard (near fig) along walkway, stretching from azalea bed to gardenia.  Will plant later in the spring.  Placed slow-release fertilizer spikes near trees and shrubs (Paw-paw trees, Persimmon, Gardenia, and Azaleas).

Red Hyacinth came up this week.  Smells wonderful.  Lilies have started coming up but no blooms yet (probably closer to Easter, I would guess).

Fig tree has started sprouting leaves… Will have to watch carefully in case of another freeze.  Azaleas have blooms, including non-encore on the side of house.  Hydrangea has new leaves sprouting.  Two rose bushes appear to have passed, probably due to me over-mulching leaves (too high on stems).  One might be salvageable (pruned it this weekend).  Chickens are done molting and laying eggs again. All signs point to Spring, but I’m sure Felder will be talking about a “Blackberry Winter” soon.  The anticipation builds.

Spread pre-emergent herbicide on front yard.  Should take care of crab grass and other weeds without harming St. Augustine (was mentioned by Felder to do this weekend).

In the house, had to replace the garbage disposal.  Found Badger 5 (1/2 HP) Insinkerator at Lowes, which price matched Home Depot at $78 (not counting another 5% discount from Lowes Credit Card).  Also had to replace clothes washer that went out … $400, discounted from 700.  Wife seems happy with it.

Final note, celebrated my 35th birthday with my wife, to whom I am so grateful that she is in my life.  She is my greatest blessing :-).

Christmas 2016

put up Christmas lights today and the wreaths Mary made. i think it looks great :). also planted bulbs, as had been out of town the last few weeks. have many gladiolas, daffodils, and Hyacinth planted in the front beds, Marian garden and Francis garden. chickens are doing well, continuing to molt. placed nustock on one of the australorps where some bleeding appeared. otherwise they seem to be doing well. got three inches of rain this week, helping the garden tremendously.

Winter Veggies

Finally got around to transplanting the Kale, Lettuce, Spinach, and Snap Pea seedlings into the raised bed.  Hoping it isn’t too late, but seems we’re in for a warm winter anyways… Warm and wet is what I hear.

Got an inch of rain in the last week.  First notable rain in what seems like the last 6 months (haven’t checked past rain entries here).  Finished painting the kitchen, so we’re slowly making our way through the house.

Our first Halloween was a success this year.  Over 50 trick-or-treaters before running out of candy, so we will definitely need more candy next year.  Had fun carving jack-o-lanterns.

Bifenthrin & Hurricane Lilies

Sprayed front and back yards with Bifenthrin, as I had found two dead fleas on Apollo.

Also found some Hurricane Lilies growing along the side of the front yard, by Barbara’s driveway, one by the back gate, and one along the way to the chicken coop.  I transplanted the ones by the chicken coop and the back gate to the front flower beds, Marian Garden and St. Francis Garden.  Hoping they take well, as it would be nice to have more bulbs and color throughout the year there.  Also used the leaf blower and got all of our leaves into the back yard flower beds which line our property… Free mulch!

Watered the median for an hour today (see brown grass in picture below). Very thankful for the simple sprinkler I found at Wal-Mart for $2.99, which has many settings regarding spray patterns. Currently it is on a long and narrow setting which covers the whole median. I love the way our yard is starting to look :).

meter reading

with the lack of rain, looks like we used almost 9 ccf this month… two more than normal.

Winter Veggies

Started the winter veggie seeds over the weekend.  Lettuce, kale, snow peas, spinach… I think that’s it.  A couple days later and there are already some sprouts.  Also got two Paw Paw trees from the farmer’s market and planted one (will plant the other next weekend). Have gotten absolutely no rain, so have been watering once a week with our lone sprinkler.  Water barrels are half empty, so hoping for rain soon.  Summer veggies are about dead, and I’m letting them go fallow.  Will mulch on to before planting winter veggies when ready.  All of this is being done on the new potter’s table that I built.  Very sturdy and convenient!

In the yard, I applied the Scott’s Weed & Feed.  Seems to have caused a couple burn spots where the spreader was a bit overzealous, but those are turning back green and the rest of the yard is looking lush.  Have noticed this weed, yet to be identified, which I will be working on eradicating in the future.  Will also be laying pre-emergents down to prevent crab grass in the winter/spring.  Have all but given up on the Asiatic Jasmine.  Need to rake the existing mulch, cover it all, spray grass/weed killer, then re-lay mulch and get more Jasmine this spring.  *sigh*.

On a more positive note, Fall means pansies have been planted.  Those in the pots are doing great.  Those in the mulch beds were wilting a bit, but Mary was able to resurrect them with a noon watering today.  Probably just need to be more established… hopefully.  Also on the front porch, Mary made a covered cushion for the swing my dad and I put up.  Looks great and adds to the enjoyment! (Note I need to scrape and repaint the porch).

I finally got around to finishing the outlet, adding a wooden frame to make it look more finished around the cheap vinyl siding that was already there.  Just nice to have a fan at all until we get the ceiling fans put in.

Inside the house, we’ve been busy painting the dining room and installing a chair rail.  Ruby Lips on top, Toffee Crunch on bottom.  Looking good so far, but will need another coat of the red as it’s so much darker.

Also got our fire screen (from Amazon), as one of our puppies might otherwise get his ball rolled into the fire!

 

 

Reverse Osmosis

Six months ago, I installed our own Reverse Osmosis filtration system (the Whirlpool WHER25) to deal with the reports of lead in municipal water.  We love the water, and this weekend replaced our pre and post filters (cost around $40 after tax from Lowe’s).  Recommendations suggest changing these pre and post filters every 6 months, but state that the RO Membrane filter should be good for 1-3 years depending on water pH.  Should be due in six months from today at the earliest (3/3/17).

Have gotten only half an inch of rain in the past week, so will need to water the vegetable garden.  Tomatoes are still producing, but fruit is small (I think due to lack of water), and blossom-end rot is observed on one plant.

Also worked with my wife to make 3 dog bed covers, hopefully chew proof from our newest puppy.  Very easy, just folded a yard of fabric in half to make a pillow case and tucked inside after placing an older dog bed in it.  Will hopefully keep out the pesky pup.

mini harvest

got a few bell peppers and a cucumber today. lost two red bell peppers to the birds, so need to pick them as they start to turn red just like i do with the tomatoes.

chickens continue to produce well with four eggs today… letting them free range again as fleas are under control, aka dead and destroyed and banished, lol