Ramsey County

April 21, 2008

Howdy!!!

A little rain fell on Monday and just a trickle fell last night.  I really wish more would come but in moderation, up to an inch.  I have been working on our yard like everyone else has and it seems every time we turn around another project is waiting.  I do have my potatoes planted and am getting ready for onions, corn and peas.  First order of business is finding a way to turn the determination of the little bunnies into something of frustration.  I am very confident that lowering the determination of the bunny would be beneficial for my life, with my wife.  It seems that sawed off pea plants (by far Deb’s favorite vegetable) is not a hit with her and I sure hear about it, so little bunnies here I come.  The other little culprit living in our neighborhood is the squirrel.  They seem to be everywhere and I did find another mess this spring, with my mower.  I had parked it under an evergreen tree only to find that squirrels had chewed up my bagger.  I need to have a little conversation those little buggers, too.  I have been finding a definite advantage with our water feature this spring and that being birds.  We have and have had many different birds stopping by for a drink and having those visitor’s has been fun for now but I am very confident they will turn into trouble makers later in the growing season.  I told my wife that we might just as well either quit what we are doing or find a cover to cover the entire back yard.  Of course that did not go over well.

This really is a fun time of year for all yard work and I do look forward to all things with yard work.  I have stopped by greenhouses looking for plants knowing that it is much too early for any plantings however the new green life sure gives life to our being.  I look around and try to imagine where that new or different plant might work in my already full yard.  Deb told me the other day if I get another tree or shrub she was going to plant me, I responded, it will take one big hole if you have to make it twice the size of the base.  Actually she is really good about the whole thing and even ordered a blue color rose from Gurneys this spring.  I mentioned that we are a little far north but then best not to show disrespect, so I planted it a couple of days ago.  We’ll see how it does. 

I am scheduling a garden tour along the Sheyenne River.  As of now it is looking like the second Saturday in June but this is subject to change until I get in touch with the 4 gardeners in the area I want to visit.  There are gardeners in the Tolna area and I have already talked to one that is interested in our visit.  This will be a whole day venture with a couple of other stops on the way back.  I really enjoy how the Sheyenne River adds beauty to a garden visit, either from really good soil or real rocky areas, either way they are very interesting.  Good LUCK to all of you gardeners this spring and listen in to KDLR for our weekly radio horticulture shows.  I will try to keep you up to date, with things in your yard, you need to be looking for or planting information as current as possible.   

524 4th Ave NE #5, 2nd Floor Ramsey County Courthouse
Devils Lake  ND  58301
701-662-7027
email - ramsey@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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