Bluebird update-better photo

I checked the nest one more time today--there are still five eggs--and I was able to get a better photo-wrong camera setting before. So I guess mama is sitting on the eggs--however, I saw her fly out just before I checked it. I wonder if the mama leaves from time to time. I'll be home tomorrow and will keep a closer watch on it. Now the countdown until they hatch--should take 12-14 days.

Stay tuned!

Bluebird Update

There are now five eggs in the nest. I apologize for the quality of the photo. I have to tip the nest to see the eggs and am being very careful. I just cannot hold the camera still with one hand! I don't want to spill the nest! Surely mama is through laying now. I believe she is now brooding.  I'll starting counting now to estimate when they will hatch.

Stay tuned!

Library Learning Patch-maintenance day

Now that our major work was done (the preparation and planting), we can now observe and maintain. We met in the library to begin our class. One of the children gave us a very interesting  report about the history of tomatoes. We learned that they are native to South America.  At one time people here in the U.S. would not eat tomatoes because they thought they were poisonous. We also learned that tomatoes are both fruits and vegetables. According to one source, when eaten fresh, they are fruits, and when cooked, they are vegetables.

Of course since this is a joint project between me as a Master Naturalist and the library, we stress reading. I  read a book, Tops and Bottoms--we all thought it was a cute and funny story. The children guessed in each instance what the rabbit was planting except for the corn--he harvested neither the top or the bottom. Reading to these children is fun--they immerse themselves in the story and do not hesitate to interact.

A cute story with several themes

I read another book from the library, Apples to Oregon, a story about a family bringing fruit trees to the West. They liked that one also.

One of the newest books in the children's section

The children were eager to check on their garden, so they gathered their tools and we went outside. Almost everything had sprouted! Our lettuce and peas that we planted from seed are up and growing! Our tomatoes and peppers also looked good. The children were most interested in the progress of their sunflowers that they had transplanted. They all were growing also. Soon we will tie them to the fence. While one group began watering their crops, others leveled an area outside the fence and planted pink dianthus.

A broken arm doesn't stop this gardener!

Conserving water by using a watering can

I am very impressed by the cooperation among the children. They are very good about sharing and taking turns.

After everything was thoroughly watered, the group picked up all the tools. My youngest member, a four  year old, carried everything inside for me.

Stay tuned for next week's progress report!

Salsipuedes Garden-Progress Report

I have high hopes for my garden. All my seeds except bush beans and carrots have sprouted. The only plant that doesn't look well is the little tomato in the Topsy Turvy planter. I may have to replant that. But otherwise, my crop looks good so far!

Lettuce and Peas

Cucumbers at the end of the planter

Squash

Zucchini I started from seed and transplanted

Bell Peppers

No carrots yet!

I may need to re-plant this!

A couple of cool nights are forecast--hope my little vegetables do okay! I can already taste them, Yum! I'm working on ideas for a trellis for the cucumbers and maybe squash using old wire tomato cages. Anyone know how tall I should make them?
Stay tuned!

Bluebirds!

Bluebirds are easily my favorite birds. They seem like such a friendly bunch! Last year I had three broods in my bluebird house. A pair has chosen my first nestbox this year. The second one is still empty. I have signed up to be a "nestwatcher" and will report to Cornell University. This should be a very interesting experience.

I began watching the birds build their nest a couple of weeks ago. It seemed as if the whole family was working--either that or two females with their mates. I waited a while and then opened the nestbox to check and take a photo.

This is a skyscraper!

I managed to get this little movie clip of the mama and papa. He seems to be guarding the nest while she brings in material.

Then two days ago I checked the nest.  I tapped it to make sure mama wasn't inside and then carefully opened the side.  There were three little blue eggs. What fun!

I'll try to hold the camera steadier next time!

I'll check the nest again this afternoon to see if there are more eggs, and then begin counting days to estimate when they will hatch. Stay tuned!

Spring at Salsipuedes

It's finally Spring! I am able to put away my longjohns. The wonderful signs of Spring are everywhere--flowers blooming, trees leafing out, horses shedding, and warm afternoons. I notice something different each year.

Field violets with their heart shaped leaves

I never noticed the little blooms on my Virginia pines before.

The redbuds and pears are dressed for Spring.

                                              

I call this my "little umbrella forest".

 

I even like the weeds such as these henbit and clover growing beside my barn.

I wonder if the two ladies who lived here years ago planted these lovely iris. 

I would like to transplant these to my yard!

Glorious Spring--my favorite time of the year!

Library Learning Patch-Planting Day

Whew! This week's session was very busy (and tiring). I had decided that we needed to add compost to our soil, so that was the first order of the day. The children shoveled the compost from bags in the back of my truck and carried it to the garden plots. 

The bucket brigade!

Then they worked it into the soil in the squares they had staked off.

Hard work!

Now the fun part--planting! The children had brought their sunflowers, basil and marigolds that  they had grown from seed.

I was impressed by their plants. They did better than mine!

Then we planted tomatoes, bell peppers, beans, squash, marigolds, and basil. We replanted carrots and lettuce (our seedlings didn't survive).  :(  Everyone liked the blue squash seeds.

Then of course their favorite part--watering. What is it about children and water? Fun!

Our new watering can works great.

Now I'm crossing my fingers that everything lives and the seeds sprout. This is definitely a learning experience.  Notice the wrapping around the tomato plants. That is a suggestion from our county extension agent. He says it protects the young plants from the wind and cool nights. We used kitchen plastic wrap.

Now we await the harvest!

By now everyone was hot, tired, and thirsty. Thank you moms for your help! Now hopefully we just weed, water, and wait. Stay tuned.

Salsipuedes Garden-Bucket List Item

One more item crossed off my bucket list! At least I hope so.

For years I have thought of trying to grow my own vegetables, but only planted tomatoes which didn't do well. But last year my tomatoes finally produced as I expected and I also grew a few bell peppers. This year, as you know, I am leading a children's  garden group. That inspired me to finally plant a garden here at Salsipuedes. I purchased food safe barrels at the local feed store. A kind man  sawed them in half for me. I filled the barrels 3/4  full with topsoil and added composted manure and humus. Now I was ready to plant, but had to wait for warmer weather. Yesterday was such a beautiful day, and after checking the weather for the next week, I decided to go ahead and begin my planting. We will see if I'm too early. I'm sure this will be a huge learning experience! Any comments or suggestions will be appreciated!

Three barrels planted--one to go

Today I planted carrots, lettuce (I may be too late on that), yellow squash, cucumbers (I may be too early), sugar snap peas, bell peppers,  and one tomato plant. I will purchase more tomato plants today and also bush beans. I covered the barrels with screening to temporarily keep my barn cats out.

Strawberries and tomato

I can already envision my bounty! :) Wish me luck!!

Library Learning Patch-Session 4 - In the Garden!

What a fun and busy day!!   The library has a wonderful book called Square Foot Gardening. That method seemed perfect for us!  The children arrived eager to begin. One of the boys had just broken his arm and came immediately from the doctor after getting a cast. It didn't slow him down one bit! As usual, I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the children. And the cooperation among them.


 

Our first order of the day was to review the plot plan I had made.  The children will take a plan home and place their stickers of the vegetables  in the appropriate places.

The group measured and set stakes. Then the children wrapped string around the stakes, creating "fenced" 2 ft. square plots.

Transplanting seedlings

 

We discussed the importance of conserving water and are using the bucket-cup method of watering.

   

The favorite part, I believe, was when the children released earthworms into the garden. They loved that! We discussed how earthworms benefit the garden.

Now we're just waiting for warmer weather so we can set out more plants!  Stay tuned. As usual, any suggestions are welcomed! Please feel free to comment!!

Library Learning Patch-Session 3

These children never cease to amaze me. They remember everything! It is so fun to see the world through a child's eyes! We first updated our calendars (or rather, they helped me update mine). This week we concentrated on learning the parts of plants and their function. Each child was given coloring pages of vegetables to take home. We served a snack featuring each of the parts--carrots for roots, celery for stems, lettuce for leaves, broccoli for flowers, apples for fruit, and sunflower seeds for seeds.

Our book selections this week were The Gardener and Plantzilla. I believe Plantzilla was the hands down favorite book so far.

The pages are filled with wonderful characters--and the children had fun pointing out all the different things in the plant.

We also read from a non-fiction book to learn more about sunflowers. Then it was time for the hands-on activity--plant necklaces. I passed out film containers with holes punched in them. We went outside to the garden site and let the children explore the pile of soil. They definitely liked that!

By next week our garden plot should be ready to plant. Let's hope the weather cooperates!

The children filled their film halfway with soil, I sprinkled rye seed in them, they covered the seed with more soil and we watered them. The goal is to let rye grass come up through the holes and wear it as a necklace. We discussed the fact that the plant will provide oxygen. Stay tuned for planting day!