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Thursday, May 4, 2023

Springtime in Idaho by @JacquieRogers #gardening

 


Springtime in Idaho
Finally!!!

Spring had a rough go of it this year because Old Man Winter did not want to leave.  We had a hard frost just last week, so not much chance of getting early crops in the ground.  We're hoping the apricots and cherries didn't get hit too hard with the cold.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter/Passover/Ramadan and/or whatever I left off.  Most all religions have a celebration in the spring, the rebirth of nature.  But as I stated above, Idaho didn't get the memo about spring.  We were lucky, however, that our son and granddaughter could make the trip home for Easter.  They're both really fun to have around, as is my daughter-in-law, although she couldn't make the trip this time.

Granddaughter's basket on the left, son's basket on the right

Now that spring is here in full force and there's a plant sale nearly every day, or so it seems, there's also an endless stream of chores on our acreage to be done, and all of them need done right now.  I think our time between snow and planting was so short that all the little chores were put on hold--mostly because I'm too much of a pansy to go out in the cold.  Cold and me have never had a good relationship.  Also, I just can't do a full day's work anymore.  It takes me a good ten hours to get a half day's work done.

Walla Walla Sweet onions on the left, sage on the right edge

Mr R and I planted onion sets in another bed, and a few hills of potatoes. We'll be planting tomatoes, tomatillos, hot peppers, spaghetti squash, pole beans, cucumbers, carrots, beets, and parsnips.  We'll also plant lots of oregano, basil, thyme, dill, rosemary, and parsley.  The chives and sage are holdovers from last year.

I have sixteen beds that are 4'x4', five beds that are 1'x4' (for herbs), and three stock tanks, 6'x3'.  Mr R manages to get all of them so they water appropriately at a touch of a button (another reason engineers make good husbands).  Now to keep all the beds weeded.  I use mulch but we do have a severe weed problem that calls for more drastic measures, short of spraying.  We don't spray anything other than vinegar on Windy Hill Farm.

The flowers are finally blooming--a little late but beautiful.

Primrose and red tulips

Daffodils and purple tulips
I need to divide the bulbs this fall but I don't even want to think about that right now.

This whole process would be easier if we ever got our greenhouse assembled but with electrical, plumbing, and kitchen projects, there's never enough time in the day.

But of course there's always enough time for music.  We went to a Reckless Amnesia concert at the College of Idaho because our lifelong friends, brothers Matt and Jim Paxton, were playing.  Good '60s and '70s rock music, and free.  Comes with wonderful friends and even a food truck.  Did I mention how much I love spring?  

Left: Mr R and me enjoying a pleasant spring day
Right: Jim Paxton and Matt Paxton with Reckless Amnesia

Lilac buds!!!

Of course one of the finer aspects of spring is the smell.  Everything fresh, from lilacs to hyacinth, and even the wild roses are starting to bud.

Our wishing well.

One project that did get finished earlier in the year is the wishing well.  I've always wanted one and Mr R set out to make one.  After many trials and tribulations, voila! it's done.  I thoroughly enjoy it and the tulips that surround it.  Even the ones that he mowed off before I could get a good photo.  Heavy sigh.  I think I'll put some crocus out there for next year.

Another beautiful part of spring is the sunsets.



Happy Spring and Cinco de Mayo to you!


Stay safe, and until next month, Happy Reading. 📚😍


If you're on TikTok, friend me!  My handle is @jacquierogersbooks.  
You can get videos of Honey Beaulieu and Sassy's latest updates there.  And goofy videos of her scribe.  Heck, we even do a few cooking videos.

2 comments:

  1. We had snow the other morning, so winter obviously didn't get the memo in Indiana, either. Love the pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your flowers are beautiful. Here in Texas, I am never sure if I will be running the AC or the heater.

    ReplyDelete

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