Garden Season has Officially Begun!

After quite the long winter, I finally have been able to get out in the garden and get started for the season. Woohoo!! Because it’s a little later than usual, we skipped over the garden clean-up temporarily and worked on preparing the vegetable garden, building 2 new raised beds and seed-starting. Normally, with the last frost date being the end of April, I would have liked to get all this started a couple of weeks ago. But, with the weather as awful as it was, and spring break thrown in, this weekend was better than never.

First off, I prepared the current vegetable bed by adding compost to refresh things a bit. I always seem to have trouble finding it early in the spring (and haven’t started making my own yet), so I bought it last fall and left the bags there for spring. Nice to not have to go searching for it this weekend!

Once I got the compost worked into the soil, the garden was ready to add the cold weather seeds. Hopefully, it’s not too late. Looking at the long range forecast, I think I’m fine.

Today I planted rows of:
Beets (Gourmet Blend Organic)
Carrots (Danvers Organic)
Cabbage (Copenhagen)
Lettuce (Tom Thumb Butterhead)
Lettuce (Red Sails Leafy Organic)
Radish (Cherry Belle Organic)
Spinach (Bloomingdale Organic)
Swiss Chard (Bright Lights)

These seeds were all from Botanical Interests. In another week-10 days, I’ll plant a second row of seeds to try and get 2 harvests before the summer heat hits us.

All seed packets give specific instructions as to how and when to to plant the seeds. Most are planted either 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch deep. The 1/4 inch deep seeds I usually spread according to instructions, then just lightly cover with some dirt sprinkled from my hand. You want just a very light cover of dirt. The seeds planted 1/2 inch deep, I’ll push in about fingertip deep and cover. Then water gently.

Later this week, I’ll share the rest of the weekend’s projects!

I had a nice surprise when I went over to the side of the house to start the vegetable garden. My rhubarb was already up and looks beautiful. Both plants have returned, so now I have a 2 yr old and 3 yr old plant that can both be fully harvested. I think I will have plenty to share, so my friends are going to love me!

Did you get out in your garden this weekend?

An Unusual Visitor to Peggy’s Feeders

Over the last month or so, a male Ring-Necked Pheasant has taken up residence near Peggy’s house in Michigan. He’s been visiting the front porch feeder, enjoying the corn she’s been putting out for him. Haven’t seen a female yet, but maybe they’re just shy. By the way, this is a view through the front porch railing–the snow is piled so high he’s at up almost at eye level!

Because of the timing of his visit, the male Ring-necked Pheasants may be establishing his breeding territory. A male will become the “king” of his territory and exert dominance over any other males who try to intrude in his territory, which may cover several acres. Breeding females, who are rather dull brown in coloring, will gather in small groups in the territory of a single male. The females will nest in the fields or borderland areas and lay a dozen or more eggs. Within a few weeks, the young will head out on their own. Unfortunately, there is a high mortality rate from predators and humans of both the eggs and young birds. Hopefully there’ll be some baby pheasants wandering around Peggy’s yard this spring!

Photos by Peggy

Spring Hyacinths

I’m one of those people who loves the smell of hyacinths. It’s a strong scent, and like oriental lilies, people tend to either love it or hate it. Mine haven’t come up in years outside, so every year when they finally show up in the grocery store, they start to show up in my kitchen. Day by day, they open…

Until they tip over. Ugh, why do they always do that?

But, still pretty and smelling wonderfully!

This week Stephi Gardens celebrates its First Anniversary!

I had been tossing around ideas for a blog for quite a while, but wasn’t quite sure how it was going to work, or if it would work. I’m glad I finally got started. Over this past year, I’ve had a lot of fun exploring my interests and sharing the experiences I’ve had.

I definitely couldn’t have done it without my family and friends supporting my endeavor, and I’m especially grateful for the fabulous advice, ideas and photos from my mom Peggy.

I’m looking forward to this coming year and all the interesting and fun things it’ll bring.

Thanks for visiting!!

Dead Man’s Fingers

As the snow melted, I went out looking for any signs of life to announce spring is coming. While out there, I came across these odd looking things.

At first I thought it was something left by Daisy or another animal sometime this winter. After poking at it a bit out of curiosity, it was not. Instead, my best guess is that they are Xylaria polymorphs, or Dead Man’s Fingers. They are very hard black knobs and the centers are a very tough white spore mass.

Xylaria polymorphs are not poisonous, but also not edible. They usually grow on hardwood stumps or decaying logs, but in this case they seem to be growing on hardwood mulch. There once was a maple tree in this location, so it is possible that there are some root remnants of that in the soil that it is growing on. Has anyone seems these growing on mulch before?

First Day of Spring in Chicago

As I came home from Northern Michigan on the first day of spring, it was clear I was heading south by the disappearance of snow and the warming temperatures. By the time I arrived home, my car thermometer had risen over 25° into the balmy 50’s. Of course, my yard oddly always has the most snow left out of anyone on the block, or for that matter, the last 100 miles of the drive.

But, there are definite signs of spring to be had.

The daffodils are popping their heads out!

The sedum looks healthy and colorful.

The White Oak is finally losing it’s leaves as buds begin to form.

Moss is bright green and plentiful on the north side of the house

I’m puzzled by the emergence of day lilies and thankful that the hostas have not followed suit. More cold, unseasonable weather is approaching and I’d hate to have too much frost damage.

I’ve also noticed the House Finches and Robins have started to return, although they’ve been very shy around the camera. This time of year, I love wandering about the yard seeing what’s new. Every day brings a change somewhere. It is pretty muddy, so too early to really get much spring clean up done. Are you seeing signs of spring in your yard?

Bu then, as a reminder of how far behind we are, here’s a shot from last year on the same day! Soon, I keep thinking.

First Day of Spring in Northern Michigan

Happy First Day of Spring! Ok, a little late, but so is spring this year so I thought it was fine to still say it.

I spent the last few days up in Northern Michigan with my mom where there are very few signs of spring yet. The sun is definitely a bit brighter in the sky and the birds are chirping a bit earlier in the morning, but it is still pretty cold and there is still a lot of snow that needs to melt before any plants can start to grow. The lakes in the area are still completely frozen over. No ice-fishing huts anymore, but the ice is still thick enough for a pick-up truck to go speeding across the lake while we were there. Maybe their winter short cut across town?

winter

Not a very inviting place to sit today!

Even without the signs of spring outside, there were plenty in the stores. The farm and feed stores are all ready to get going, so of course I had to pick up a few items I “needed”.

My husband is very glad I did not come home with one of these… although mostly I didn’t since I don’t think our zoning allows for raising farm animals in our backyards. They sure were cute and I’m wishing I could have farm fresh eggs every morning.

On the way back home, I stopped to visit a fairly new, unique specialty market, the Willow Mercantile in Cadillac, MI. Whether you’re visiting the Cadillac area or passing through on your way further north, it’s worth a stop. You can even mail order your “up-north” favorites from them.

They offer their own line of locally made preserves, salsas, butters and jarred vegetables, specialty olive oils and vinegars, locally grown vegetables and farm fresh meats, interesting treats from around the world, a huge selection of local MI craft beers and an extensive wine inventory. Everything a specialty food shopper would want! Then throw in some kitchen essentials and a nursery, and you have one fun place to visit and shop.

Just some of what I came home with.

I’m back home where temperatures are a bit warmer (50’s woohoo) and I’ll have some signs of spring in Chicago in tomorrow’s post.

Peggy’s Snowflakes

With all the snow that Michigan has received this winter, my mom Peggy decided to try and make something fun out of it. On days that it was warm enough to endure being outside, she experimented with taking pictures of individual snowflakes and came up with some amazing shots. I’ve always heard that every snowflake is different, but it’s hard to believe the individuality, complexity and beauty of each snowflake. Enjoy the wonders of nature–

Photos by Peggy

Visitors to the Homemade Suet

While I was out there putting the new homemade suet in the feeder, I heard, and then finally found a Flicker in the neighbor’s yard. I haven’t seen him at my suet feeder yet, but I hope he comes to visit. In the meantime, the last couple of days I’ve seen Chickadees, a Downy Woodpecker, a Red Breasted Nuthatch and a squirrel on the suet feeder. They seem to like this new suet!

Something, well, probably that darn squirrel, knocked the feeder onto the ground. The Downy seemed to have liked the homemade suet so much it also went down to the ground to eat it. I’ve never seen a woodpecker eat off the ground. He must have been really hungry!

Since I am hoping that spring is coming soon, I decided to put the other suet cake I made out for the birds. I don’t have another feeder, so used an empty onion bag. We’ll see how that works.

Winter’s Last Gasp

We can only hope it is winter’s last gasp. Once again, we awoke to a fresh covering of snow.

This was a typical heavy, wet March snow that covers everything it falls all. Hopefully, the damage will be minimal. Some branches and tree limbs here and there were down, the evergreens are sagging badly again, but the power stayed on.

The view was really pretty this morning as the sun was rising.

And all through the day every branch was frosted with snow.

The chickadees were frisky enjoying the warmer temperatures…

while the sparrows enjoyed the extra cover on “their” tree…

…while they tried to figure out if there was anything in the feeder.

This was one of those snows where everything gets covered. You’d better know where you are going, and remember the shapes of traffic signs from your road test days, since nothing could be seen under the snow stuck to the signs.

The Christmas lights are still up. Almost beginning to wonder if they should just stay up until next year.

Our Westie is also happy to be able to enjoy the snow and sun without the frigid cold. Maybe a snowman will finally pop up in our yard. It’s the perfect kind of snow.

Seeds are in the House

After spending quite a bit of time pouring over seed catalogs, I finally sent in my seed orders. I had lots of new seed catalogs come to the house, and some more companies I just visited on-line, making the choices this year really tough.

Ultimately, I went with some Burpee stand by’s and the rest from Botanical Interests. I ordered an assortment of vegetables and flowers. Some of the vegetables I’ve grown before (summer squash, zucchini, lettuce) and others are new to my garden (pattypan squash, beets and cabbage).

I’ve outgrown the raised bed on the side of the house, plus we’ll have new construction next door so I’m not sure what the sun situation for that bed will even be come next year. So we spent a great deal of time watching the sun pattern in the yard last year (full sun is a problem in my yard) and mulling over where we could tolerate more vegetable beds. We finally settled on a new location off the back of the patio for 2 new raised beds. I’ve promised to keep them under control and somehow “pretty” them up. You can imagine them out there under the snow.

I bought new raised bed frames last fall from Plow and Hearth, so I am ready to go after a trip to the lumber store. I’ll let you know how I like the brackets.

Are you ready to start planting?

Author: Stephi