Before Posts Saturday, Jul 30 2016 

Uncategorized acairfearann 16:20

In the next few weeks, once the last bits have arrived (the new rims) and when we have a bit of time, the old tractor will be getting its rear end rebuilt: new brakes, new rims, new tires. It needs a little work on the front too, which we may get to.  It runs beautifully, but right now it really isn’t any good for heavy work.  The tires can hold air for perhaps half an hour and the rims are delicate…fine for mowing a flat field, not fine for anything else.

This project, by the way, is not being done by me…..I’m the enthusiastic cheerleader on this one, with joy.

So before pictures:

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The bush hog, siting behind the tractor, is also going to get some judicious welding done to it….that dark line you see was caused by a bent blade making like a can opener in sheet steel.

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New tires, with tread! Purists will grumble about switching from the original tread pattern (there is a subtle difference), but this is a working tractor not a show tractor, so we went with solid tires rather than pretty Chinese/Thai. The aim is to be able to keep open some areas that otherwise are impossible and, with this tractor largely out of commission, reverting to brush (mostly bittersweet and barberry), plus there is a reasonable possibility that the near future may involve more work in the woods. And the Fergusons, with a high ground clearance but a paradoxically low center of gravity, are ideal for the firewood/bush hog trade in rough ground. They’re not much good for things that need hydraulics: front end loaders, backhoes, snow plows, etc. But as iron mules….they’re just fine.

 

Anyone got a match? Thursday, Jul 28 2016 

Uncategorized acairfearann 19:06

I know my western readers will promptly pipe up with an objection….but here is the thing, when it is so dry that the three foot tall ostrich ferns have turned to crunchy candlesticks….it is dry. In fact, we are in the same weather pattern as the west, it is just a little less obvious, there being less commercial agriculture here, but for the last three years the better part of each year has been dry. It is also less extreme in strict terms (measurement of soil moisture), but since drought is not a normal part of the New England climate, even a mild drought causes serious issues for plants. We can’t grow true succulents here normally, but we do grow temperate rain-forest plants.

There have been worse and there will be worse. But I’m not going to tempt the gods of the well to water that much though.  Something about getting the data results from a large set of shallow wells (9-25 feet) that show: dry, dry, dropping, dry, dropping, dry! I can’t imagine how the people who used to use those wells managed a year like this….how much we take for granted every time we turn that tap!

 

Humid and bone dry Tuesday, Jul 26 2016 

Uncategorized acairfearann 08:13

Odd how that works. Actually a little better today, but not enough moisture to even begin to perk anything up. At least the grass doesn’t need mowing! And if it continues, I’m likely to be able to work on another section of my project this fall….the Colebrook River Lake is probably not going to be much of a lake!

But, it does make one less than inspired to do anything at all outside. Let alone write about it.

However, I probably ought to take some before pictures….the elderly Massey Ferguson is about to get itself largely rebuilt. The parts are coming from hither and yon, the toolbox is waiting, and the person who will be doing most of the work can’t wait to start.  (though when we will find the time….)  Get that done and the Bush Hog fixed and perhaps we can start to get some areas back under control. The Oriental Bittersweet is rapidly becoming the Kudzu of the north around here.

 

Summer colors Saturday, Jul 23 2016 

gardening acairfearann 11:42

Purple is a good summer color, it stands out nicely from the greens and balances other ‘hot’ colors.  This purple daylily promises to be quite vigorous in the right spot. It is short, but since the colors are such that one wants to get a good look at it, that isn’t a drawback.  I like its shape as well, I’m partial to the ones with more defined petals.

No name, it was picked from a local nursery that just sort of lets them run wild.

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Garden Produce Thursday, Jul 21 2016 

gardening acairfearann 07:44

Let’s see, the peas are pretty well finished. Not that we ever really figured out which peas got planted where. But they had a decent run. The beans are coming along mightily, probably for another week or two.  The zucchini is zucchini-ying and I need to deal with that.  The yellow squash apparently was a victim of the skunk.  The tomatoes are going to ripen….eventually…. The beets, chard, and kale are all continuing along quite well.  I’ve frozen some parsley and have plenty more, the onions are looking good.  Probably the only slightly off ones are the cucumbers, which are producing but seem to be a bit on the bitter side.

Not bad for a not-garden year.

 

In lieu of Tuesday, Jul 19 2016 

Uncategorized acairfearann 18:44

well anything else except for a self-inflicted rant about green beans….

Your moment of zen*

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*though, zen was not first on my mind, even if it was a gorgeous morning.  One of the interns was trying to get seasick…with success….and I was in charge of finding the things that would make the day ‘worth it’

 

Lily Beetles Sunday, Jul 17 2016 

gardening acairfearann 14:14

Every year, I consider giving up on lilies, we haven’t been able to get the lily beetles under control. And what was a carefree flower has become a disgusting headache. I can deal with the voles and chipmunks….but those bugs…..  I just went out and sprayed the lilies that are being eaten with some Neem, we will see if it slows them down a bit. I’m reluctant to use pyrethrin in that garden since I think we may be getting a balance between the predators and the caterpillars and a heavier duty spray might knock that back out again. But, I may have to.

The thing is though, that when we can have lilies, they are worth it.  The colors, shapes, and scent can’t be beaten. They are the mainstay of a summer garden.

I was reminded of this the other day when the few Orienpets that survived both winter, the voles, and the bugs opened.  Leaving aside the lovely ivory and rose colors, the scent is incredible.  The Orientals in a week will be even better.

Nothing is better than late evening, the setting sun in the trees, and those lilies beneath the window.

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These guys didn’t make it this year, sadly. I think the voles got them.  But I have a few by the library.

 

Storm Clouds Thursday, Jul 14 2016 

Landscapes and Modern Photos acairfearann 21:51

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Green Study Tuesday, Jul 12 2016 

gardening , acairfearann 19:01

Which isn’t actually green, but it is about green….

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Also yellow daylilies and pink Asiatic lilies

 

Linkbait Saturday, Jul 9 2016 

Uncategorized acairfearann 12:00

 

 

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