The Birds The Word

Here's something to crow about. Today marks the 229th anniversary of the birth of naturalist, ornithologist and painter John James Audubon. No need to go cuckoo. Just follow the link to learn more about this man and his amazing contributions to our knowledge about nature.

They're Baaaaaaaaack!

While performing the annual ritual of container triage I came upon an unexpected find. This pot was located in possibly the worst place of any container. It was buried under a mountain of snow near the fence that was the result of not only what fell in that location, but what was piled there during numerous shoveling and snow blowing sessions. Yet the chives in it have survived and have sprouted anew. I should have taken a few pics of the mini snow Everest that engulfed this container. But take my word for it, this is the last thing I expected to see as I prepared for this season's container gardening. I guess there was more going on beneath the snow than I suspected. Nature truly is grand!

Learning To Hate Thinning Less

If you think the title of this piece is about hair, you're barking up the wrong tree. It's actually about one of my least favorite gardening activities, thinning. Maybe it's my keen sense of frugality, but it has always irritated me that sprouts must be removed so that others may flourish. The loss of potential produce just rubs me the wrong way. Although to be honest, I don't just discard the potential tomatoes, carrots, etc. The young plants go straight into the compost bin. But still, I'm haunted by the thought of what might have been.

This sense of loss is greatly reduced when growing lettuce and other greens. Even when young, the tender sprouts can be used in a sandwich or salad. So my thinning becomes grazing. Now that's something I can live with!

Winter Is Holding On

According to the calender we have entered Spring, but Old Man Winter isn't prepared to take leave of us just yet and produced some lake effect snow this morning as a reminder he is still in charge. He also gave me the perfect excuse to  bake a couple of Bush Delicata winter squash I harvested last autumn. Their bright color and delicious taste took the edge off of what was an overcast and gray day. And the seeds extracted from them will allow me to start growing another batch of these wonderful squash in a few weeks when Spring really arrives.

Lettuce Begin

A few green shoots to help build the anticipation that home grown lettuce will soon be part of my meals once again.

The Gardener Knows

Beneath the snow
The gardener knows
The blooms await
For a later date

Beneath the snow
The gardener sees
Not what is
But what is to be

Mid-Winter's Delight

Among the embarrassment of riches available in the New World are the seemingly endless varieties of winter squash that can be cultivated here. Although the growing season here ended months ago and we're squarely in the middle of what is shaping up to be one of the snowiest winters on record, yesterday I retrieved a Thelma Sanders Sweet Potato squash from the dark, cool recesses of my garage and baked it. Its warmth, naturally sweet taste and aroma certainly took the chill off the season. It's only February. And winter can last up until the end of April in a bad year. Fortunately, I have a few more squash to see me through until the Spring thaw.