This is weeding day, yesterday was watering day. I water only every 2nd or 3rd day to encourage my crop to stretch those roots down, down , down. Watering day has thus become a herculean task. It has to be done by hand until we get a watering system in place. Just like the bunnies it is up there on the list along with a greenhouse, upgrading the fence, moving the composter and rebuilding the woodshed.
Planning to make a steak and kidney pie later. The only way I can get one to meet my exacting standards is to make it myself or buy one from the English lady at the farmers' market. She makes deliciously authentic Cornish pasties too. Only last Saturday she didn't so here I am in baking mode. Once I get everything cut up and simmering the kitchen will resonate with a full-bodied aroma thick enough to taste.
One should never let the work gods see you relaxing. A quick post I thought and then out into the garden. Never sit on a board regardless of your passion for the cause. Three reports displaying the nasty little high priority symbol glowered at me from the inbox.
Maybe after I've posted I'll feel up to reading them or maybe NOT. Some days are meant only for blueberries and sunshine.
I'm enjoying my blueberries now too. I have a lot of bushes from different maturity seasons, so I get a continual crop all the way to frost. I like them better than strawberries and blackberries because they keep so much better, but I like Aronia better for ease of harvest and even healthier antioxidants. I have an abandoned cat who comes around for food as well, it's the first feral cat that has been willing to come close to eat and be petted. I have 2 acres, so I know your struggles. I have welded wire fences augmented for height to 8' with metal T-posts and bamboo poles that I grow. I use soaker hoses in my beds and hopefully mulch heavily with dried grass clippings to keep the weeds down and keep the water from evaporating. I fight moles, voles, rabbits, and deer for the vegetables I grow.
ReplyDeleteI've got to get more mulch! Another method I'm becoming a fan of in the weed prevention department is dense planting. Soaker hoses are the stuff dreams are made of, my dreams anyway.
DeleteAll the soaker hoses that were 3/4" and lasted for years were replaced by 5/8" weak hoses that sometimes didn't last a season. I've been buying the new flat nylon soaker hoses and hope they will last a long time. They sure save a lot of work watering! Now my daughter just bought a house and wants blueberries, so I'm going to try to root some of mine, I hope they aren't too hard.
DeleteI was just musing about putting in blueberries for my daughter. Her family loves picking them when they are here and she has a perfect spot for them.
DeleteThe mockingbirds ate all my blueberries. They even brought their babies and fed them what remained. So my berries are from the grocery.
ReplyDeleteBringing the family to the feast is a bit much.
DeleteYour blueberries look delicious! And that sounds like an awesome way to spend some time friend! I can not tell you the last time I was able to kick back in the garden like that! You need to post your pie when you finish! This is the good stuff of life! Enjoy your week friend! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteI remember gardening with my little beans well. No rest then!
DeleteWow wonderful - your own blueberries, how exciting they look amazing. I'm afraid ours only come in a punnet but I'm told they are a Wonderfood! Maybe that cat is sticking around for some scraps from your steak and kidney pie?
ReplyDeleteWren x
I tell myself the fresher they are the more power they have. The freezer is full of them for winter breakfasts.
DeleteI can almost smell that wonderful steak and kidney pie...I so agree with you about sitting on boards. I am on a local town board which inevitably pops up when I can least afford the time. There is nothing like sitting with a bowl of fresh blueberries and a kitty in the sun.
ReplyDeleteI was a good girl and read and responded to the reports before going to bed.
DeleteAh,the wonderful days of summer when our gardens and the fruits of our labor are our main priority.
ReplyDeleteI agree-so good for the soul.
DeleteThis sounds like a great start to a day. I have planted 4 blueberry bushes this year. Hopefully in a few years it will be worth it.
ReplyDeleteSherry
I think it will be worth it. I enjoy having my own blueberries all winter.
DeleteI'm sorry to say I haven't made it to the farmers market yet this year. - Margy
ReplyDeleteTry to make it for the Fall Fair. I'll be at the library booth selling home and garden books.
DeleteYour to-do list is a long one, and typical for a place like yours. The watering - how well I know it! If early summer was defined by the weeding, mid and late-summer are defined by the watering. We have a good well here, and a second, old well so that we are supplied with as much as we need, but we never take it for granted.
ReplyDeleteMy wish for you? One good cancellation, right when you need one. There's nothing quite like the unexpected cancellation of a board meeting and the resultant fee afternoon/evening.
What a great wish. Here's hoping...
DeleteIt has been a wonderful year for blueberries this year so much so that I'm getting a bit fed up with them. Hope your pie turned out well it made my mouth water just reading about it.
ReplyDeleteBumper crop this side of the pond too. It looks like I'll have enough for blueberry pie a few times this winter.
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