The Potato Patch Progress

Kennebec Potatoes are going nuts on the left here. It's time to cover them so they'll produce more.

There are cucumbers, zuchinni and yellow squash in here, too.

I've tipped the plant over and covere all but the top leaves with rich soil.

Here's the mulch pile. Black GOLD!

Far left, all the potatoes are covered. In the front, I've newspapered around the squash and cukes to keep the weeds down.

Finally,the entire patch gets a loose straw covering. This keeps the paper down and the moisture in. Just need rain and sun. (We had a torrential down pour the evening this was completed. YEA!)

INTRUDER! DANGER! Warning Will Robinson!

The Naked Lady foliage is starting to die off in the front beds.

UGH! Aphids!

All the tiny white specs on the leaves and stems are aphids. Damnation!

They are everywhere....and LOVE the fact that we've fertilized with horse manure. (Their favorite!)

Wes made a home-brew of vegetable oil and Dawn dish soap to spray on these pests....we'll see how it works.

Dog Days are a Comin'

We have completely lost our minds and are getting TWO Doberman Pinscher puppies in June!

Meet Cecil (black & tan) and Lizzie Daniel (red & rust). We're in love already!

They are brother and sister...a litter of 9.

How cute are THEY?!?!

Time to Re-Pot

Our seed starts got a late start, but offer a second harvest BOOM. These are tomatoes.

Graham helped separate the plant starts.

She is so careful. I have big plans for this Tall Farm-Hand!

Here is Lemon Balm and Jalapeno Peppers to share with family and friends.

A Ladybug on a Pea Plant must be good luck!

As seen here, the peas are really taking off....

Looks a lot like my hair Saturday mornings!

SOme of the Allium (onions) I dug up from Mommy's house 3 years ago.

Wes is trying sweet potatoes in our 'Experimental Garden' area. We'll see....

The tomato plants are really looking good!

...so is the brocolli corner...

This is the Potato Patch. We have zuchinni, yellow squash, and cukes in there, too. Hope it takes off.

Graham and a Peony bloom from my mom's house 3 years ago. It magically bloomed for Mother's Day...just before Mommy's b'day:)!

April is Looking a Little Greener

Our 'bought' plants are in the dirt!

The arcade on the right is all daylilies from our previous homeowners. With all of last fall's rain, this is the best they've ever looked! Blooms to come in June.

Hard to see, but all the Snow Peas, Sugar Snaps, and English Pease are coming up. Yummy!

Here is the cool weather corner...Brocolli, Brussel Sprouts, and Cabbages. We may have planted too late. We'll see. (Usually St. Patty's, but this year, tax day)

We are setting out our soaker hoses.

Then the newspaper and hay treatment. Rapley is good at this!

Everyone helps on this part.

Can you smell the tomatoes from where you sit? I can!


Brocolli on the way....

Sugar Snap Peas and English Peas....

Snow Peas, too. Coming right along!

April Progress

Getting the Garden ready requires a bit of teamwork....

Here are Rapley (almost 9) and Graham (6) shovelling horse manure!

Oddly enough, they enjoy helping us.
We love it, too, since we unloaded 3 trailer loads! They are the BEST helpers!

Here's a glimpse of the future. Ready for turning under.

Wes pulls out Mommy's Troybilt and tills the manure in and loosens the Beirut soil from last year.

All set for planting!

Seed Starts in Mid-March

We got started late this year, after renovating. Graham is helping me laod the peat-pucks. Only 288 this time -ha ha!

We left them near the windows to grow...

This is the sad site of a future Glorious Garden. Every year we are reminded of what God intended us to do with what He's given us. For the Hills Family, one is a promising site that will produce a bountiful garden!

Sure looks desperate!

These are 'Naked Ladies'. They were given to me by my mother-in-law. They green up, then die off. Sometime in late May / early June there will emerge single shoots with a pink bloom and no foliage (hence naked) from these beds. Should be a racey show!