Gravelling a Path: with help this time!

Last time I worked on this gravel path project (see June 17) I woke up the next day with my knees aching and they didn't stop hurting so I sought some help: acupuncture plus a visit to my dr who requested xrays and yes, by golly, I've been diagnosed with arthritis (mild) in both knees. It was the heavy work that day that catalyzed a bout with it. So after letting the path lay idle all summer, when the rains came and it was muddier each day, I started moving the gravel with a small pail, a bit at a time. That works just as well as a wheelbarrow, only a slower process. Much gentler on my knees and back. When my granddaughter was here one day I had her tagging along as I moved a few buckets: well, she insisted on helping! So I got her a smaller bucket and we worked together. "I do it!" she exclaims when she wants to get involved! She was two in October: and she is a good worker, eager to do whatever bigger people do: growing up fast.

The Darkening Days of December

I have friends who gather mushrooms in the forests, and who know the difference between edible or poisonous mushrooms, and are also careful to not imbibe the questionable ones without gaining familiarity with them, generally in consultation with others face to face over the mushrooms in question or via expert handbooks, or both. Some people are more cautious than others; I being one of those cautious ones, when it comes to fungus.
These popped up in my yard, under the row of Western red cedar along the south edge of the property, near a filbert tree. Photo from a couple of weeks ago: these fleshy little guys disappeared as quickly as they appeared. Mysterious to me, and will so remain unless I open my mind to mycology and start spending time learning about them.

Winter Garden 2

Here is an update about the seeds I planted a month ago for a winter garden. As you can see, it's either the spinach or the chard that has come up, but I'm not sure which: I think spinach. Also nastursiums, which self-seeded and took advantage of the cultivation, I guess. The wire is to support the corn stalks which I have been layering on top of the plot to protect from frost. But last night I was out late (two nights in a row out dancing!) and I forgot to cover the crop. First frost hit, of course! So now we will wait to see whether these little guys survive or turn to rubbery mush when they thaw.

The Thai pepper plant is the last surviving pepper in the garden and seems to have contained sufficient inner heat to stand tall against this frost. Still, I think today will be the final pick for these; string them up to dry in the back room; more culinary heat than I am likely to use, so little gifts for friends who like them.

Water Frozen in the Coop

The coop is closed but only plywood (although painted warm and wild by the college student art class which designed and built it). Still, there was a ring of frost and I had to use hot water before I could lift off the top section in order to refill it. The chickens did not complain; went about their morning business as usual. But Hawkeye stopped laying about 10 days ago, and Ruby (name changed from Sadie recently by my toddler Granddaughter) has dropped down to irregular, laying an egg every two or three days instead of daily as she did all summer and fall. People recommend a light for both heat and increased laying, which I may set up.

Other people say not to worry about their health in the cold unless it drops to around zero F as long as they can be dry

First Frost

Winter Garden

I planted spinach and chard from seeds about a week ago, under cover for one day (black plastic) because it was cold, then under corn stalks/leaves for a week. Today I peeked, and the seedlings are up. I left them uncovered during the day today for sunshine but rolled some fence wire out across the top so the stalks/leaves can cover for warmth at night but not touch. Not sure this will work. There are slugs in the corn stalks/leaves. I picked out the ones I could find and tossed them to the chickens, but there are, of course, many more. I probably should have started this process about a month ago.

Day Two Garden Cleanup

Lit the coals for the hibachi and cut up the peppers, then got back to work cleaning the garden up. It's a burn day today, according the the county hotline, but I have nothing dry enough to burn from the garden yet! Stacked the corn and sunflower core stalks in hopes they will dry for another burn day. Piles of zinnia and marigold in the compost, with a handful of seeds selected out to dry for next year. Three sea gulls flew overhead. There are storms on the coast which will be rolling inland soon.

Roasting Peppers

Late harvest; surprises, too!

Peekhole out from the grape arbor towards the willow trees; some blackberries in a sheltered spot not yet gone to the birds or mold; a surprise bloom on the rhody by the back walkway.peppers and a couple of delicata were hidden in the lushness plus two tomatoes on the last vine; some blackberries in a sheltered spot not yet gone to the birds or mold; a surprise bloom on the rhody by the back walkway.

Fall Garden Cleanup (Started)

The garden is done producing for this year. I like to cut down the sunflowers and corn stalks and haul the dead and dying flowers to the compost pile so there's not so much muck to look at from my living room and kitchen windows. Pulling out the soaker hoses and draining them for storage is another task. The chickens get some of the sluggy, soggy plant (oh, they like the slugs, alright!).

End of the Season Flowers

The sunflowers are pretty much spent now, but small birds (I tried to catch one on camera but they are faster than I am) still nip in and out for the remaining seeds. Over the past couple of weeks there were flocks of finches and little gray birds, too, but now, just quick visits by pairs or solo birdies. I have harvested many heads for the chickens, who peck the seeds out vigorously in their yard.




A great display of gold in the back garden bed!

Planted last night: spinach and garlic. Protecting the bed from the cold, the cats, and other critters as the seeds germinate.

Peppers, chard, squash, eggplant

Purple, green, yellow & Thai red peppers have survived the first nip of frost, because these are in a spot sheltered by the sunflowers, I am pretty sure. There is a little chard tucked in under the eggplant. Such a lovely plant, eggplant! It's fruit all harvested now (I ate some last night for dinner). The delicate squash is new for me. The pumpkins are being transformed into pies and muffins and soups and frozen puree for later in the winter months.

Grapes

Yes, the grapes are ready in this valley. I don't make wine, but I enjoy it and use whatever connections I can to get a store in each year. Pinot and big red blends are my choices. I do make grape jelly from my own concords, from an old vine on my place here. I alter the recipe by using olive oil instead of butter to control the foam, and I use low sugar pectin. Yum.