*%#! Deer!

I wandered out to the garden last night to discover, much to my annoyance, that deer had eaten off 16 of my 27 tomato plants.  GRRRR!!!  It looks like they stuck their heads into the cages like a big salad bowl.  DOUBLE GRRRR!!!
I've still got a few little seedlings that I didn't set out- my 'backup' plants but I'm thinking that I'm not going to end up with the variety I planted since I had more seedlings of some varieties than others. But at least we'll have something.  I just hope I don't have to resort to buying tomato plants this year.   I'm going to have to figure out a deer repellant system.

I just hope when I head out this morning that they haven't eaten any more.

But amazingly, they didn't bother the peppers or eggplants.  I've had trouble with deer before but only with lettuce.  In all my years of gardening I haven't had trouble with deer eating my tomatoes.  sigh....

Stay safe!

I know, it's been a while since I've been around here.  Things have been busy, busy, busy.  I'll try to post some photos and news soon.

But first... my thoughts and prayers go out to all those in harms way with the fierce tornados ripping through the midwest.  Stay safe out there!!!

One of these things...

 Is not like the others!

It was HUGE!  And tasty... I just had to eat it for brunch because I couldn't close the box.
In other news, I finally had a harvest of asparagus big enough for a meal!  Woo Hoo!
Spring has definitely arrived here, soon to be replaced by summer.  We've got a forecast for 95F next week.  Whew!  But lots and lots on the agenda.  I'm off for a few days, Justine will be home next week from college and the garden needs to go in. Busy, busy, busy....

More spring photos

We had heavy rain last night and fog early this morning.  So, when the sun came out this morning it was spectacular!  I couldn't resist taking my camera out and getting some photos of the spring flowers.

Yes, we have an amazing crop of dandelions in the lawn!

It was truly a lovely day!  It's too wet to get into the garden (we had nearly another 3 inches of rain over the past few days) but I finished potting up my little peppers, planted my annuals in the hanging baskets and planted a few annual flowers in one of the flower beds.
Yesterday was kind of a bust as far as getting anything productive done. V and I were off most of the day at a wedding.  Not productive in a home/gardening way but satisfying nonetheless.   Today, in addition to the little bit of planting, I've been catching up on laundry and other sundry household tasks.
Spring is definitely hectic.

I probably shouldn't ruin my chances

For those of you on Facebook.  Meyer Hatchery is having a giveaway.  3 blue chicks: a blue Ameraucana, a Blue Orpington and a Blue Copper Maran.  Set for delivery the week of June 4.  Not that I NEED more chickens... but you never know.

Photos from the day

A few photos of the morning to brighten your day.

 The Red Emperor Tulips are putting on quite the display.

 A lonely daffodil.  They don't seem to be multiplying very fast.

 A flat of beauty yet-to-come

 Syrphid Fly larvae!  I've been struggling with aphids on the spinach in the greenhouse and, since the weather has warmed up and it's HOT in there, the spinach has started to bolt.  I was going to pull it when I discovered dozens and dozens of syrphid larvae (Hover Flies) devouring the aphids.  Woo Hoo for beneficial insects!!  I've decided to leave it go for a while to give them time to develop.

 River is hopeful for a snack

The ladies line up, hoping I'll toss them some tasty treats.  They love their clover!

And now, the chicken coop awaits.  Off to more fun!

Spring = busy

Whew!  I'm tired.  It was a gorgeous day today.  Mostly sunny and mid to upper 60's- so I spent a lot of time doing outdoorsy things today.
I15 and I made a run to the garden center this morning.  They were having a special promotion that 5% of your purchase would go to the City High Band.  I was forced, forced I tell you to go spend money at the garden center. Actually, I didn't get all that much,  I picked up a mixed flat of annuals, a couple of wave petunias and 8 bags of mulch.  On the way home we stopped to get gas for the tiller and the mower.
I got as much of the garden tilled as I'm going to.  I've decided to not till the South end of the garden as it still has a lovely layer of straw mulch from last year that I'll plant among and add to.  I'm hoping to shift to no-till so we'll see how this goes.
V got the riding mower unearthed from where it had been buried in construction debris last year since it was so dry that we didn't have to mow at all. He mowed most of the lawn and then I did the trim mowing with the push mower.  The excitement of the afternoon was the unseen/unknown mouse nest in the push mower motor catching fire.  Of course, there would have to be a fire just after I had filled the gas tank!  Fortunately, I was able to find a stick and poke most of the nest material out before it caused any damage.  V then disassembled the mower casing and we removed the rest of the mess.  *&^# mice!
Tomorrow is another busy day.  K13 and I are slated to clean out the bedding in the chicken coop.  Oh, the fun we have.  V and I15 will work on 'gravel reclamation' to rake the gravel out of the lawn and back into the driveway.  It has a tendency to migrate with snow removal in the winter.  I'm also hoping to get my broccoli, cauliflower and other early brassicas planted out into the garden.
I've got Monday off as a vacation day.  I realized that I'm maxed on my vacation time at work again and would lose time if I didn't take a day before the end of the month.  At least Mondays are fairly easy days for someone else to cover for me.  The weather is forecast for thunderstorms so I'm hoping to have a sewing day but we'll see what happens.
I'm going to be focusing on the flower gardens this spring as well as the main veggie garden.  We're hosting a Victorian/Steampunk Garden Party in late June so I want the outside spaces to look fabulous. Yes, we will play croquet and have tea and cucumber sandwiches.  It will be amazing.