I think we’ve finally turned the corner people, and I’m getting excited! Warmer days are on the horizon {today it’s supposed to be 85!} and the soil temps are warming up. The snow is long gone and I am looking forward to getting beans, cucumbers and zucchini planted outside in about 2 more weeks.
So far this spring I’ve planted:
- Beets
- Turnips
- Carrots
- Onions {red and yellow}
- Potatoes
- Peas
- Strawberries
- Rhubarb
Have I told you the acorns are HUGE here? And abundant too. I am going to have to come up with some sort of acorn craft project for the fall. I might also make a pine cone wreath for the door as well.
Lucy’s babies are doing well and are enjoying their afternoon trips outside in their little chicken coop. We moved the chicks to the garage last week where they sleep at night, but once the sun comes out, Lucy and I bring them outside to play. Lucy will typically hang out with them for a solid 10 minutes in the coop before sauntering off to go tan herself.
The last few days I’ve been working in the garden clearing the area around an arbor that was left behind, and tidying up Harriet, our mystery fruit tree.
The area was filled with vines and brambles when I started, and honestly I wasn’t too keen to work in this area of the garden because I knew it would be a full on tick sanctuary {I still need to find some white pants so I can spot them crawling on me better}.
But man oh man it looks so much better now and while I was cleaning up the area I discovered several perennial plants and bulbs and though it’s hard to see them in the photos, it will be fun to discover what they are when they come into bloom.
Harriet looks so much happier, and I think the arbor will be the perfect spot to grow birdhouse gourds. And that old bench…. It will be a great lounging spot for the puggle princess. I’ve already seen her on it twice. đ
That feeling of bugs crawling all over me and fluttering around in my hair though…. I can’t help but itch all the time and check myself for them every 15 minutes. Even after I shower…. It feels like they are still there. Phantom bug pain? Is that a real thing?
Even after dousing my garden pants, boots and white shirt with Repel and Natrapel {the the highest rated bug repellent I could find} I can still feel the bugs on me {if only in my mind!!}. Gaaaa! They should make pills for this. I am seriously thinking about buying one of those mosquito net hat things.
I have no idea if I am being overly dramatic about this, if it’s normal around these parts, or if this is just one of the charms of living in New England with a pond on your property. Black fly season, I think it’s here though and I just want to be prepared. Also, I’ve noticed a big uptick in bugs flying around after 5 pm. So maybe that’s my quitting time. Who knows.
I did discover mint in the garden this week, so that’s nice.
Mystery plant of the week. Does anyone know what it is?
Hey now, check out all those seedlings! Aren’t they looking marvelous?
The pepper plants that took so long to get going… are starting to produce true leaves.
And the herbs, well now, it looks like I’m going to have to create a herb garden here pretty soon as well. The projects here, are never ending. And you know what? That’s just the way I like things.
Have an AWESOME Wednesday everyone, enjoy the day.
~Mavis
Cheri says
Your mystery plant looks like a peony to me. I have several in my yard and they are all at various stages. đ
Mavis Butterfield says
I LOVE peonies! Awesome.
Alice says
And for you Mavis, the blossoms wonât be ruined by the rain the day after they open, like here, south of Seattle.
Sara says
The peony will pull ants away from your home. I love them
Sarah says
I agree! Mystery plant is a peony!! Yay!! They are the best!
Lori says
i agree! They’re lovely.
Kathy G says
I agree. Peony.
Mary says
That’s what I thought too.
PSU06VAL says
Agreed. Peony!
Becky says
I agree
debbie in alaska says
Yup — that’s what my peony plant looks like when it’s coming up
Lacy says
Your mystery plant is a bunch of peonies!! Lucky duck!
Olivia says
I think your mystery plant is a peony
Mrs. C. says
Yup, that mystery plant looks like an herbaceous peony! They will die down to the ground in the late fall/winter.
Jeanie says
Yep Peonies! Be sure to put a cage around them soon or they will all lob over. Plus dunk them for ants before you bring them inside. They are ANT MAGNETS.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks for the tip about cage. I’ll get right on that.
Jamie says
Your seedlings look amazing – how do you get them to stay so compact and not get straggly? Your mystery plant is a peony, my favorite!!
Mavis Butterfield says
I keep the grow lights pretty much right on top of them for the first few weeks so they don’t get leggy.
Pat says
You can also make a corn flour out of your acorns be sure to read up on it there’s some boiling I think you have to do to get rid of the tannins is pretty heavy have fun
CA says
Yes, your mystery plant is a peony. It will need to be staked. Make sure there isn’t a lot of debris around the base of the plant. The eye buds of the tubers need to be above ground. Also, peonies don’t like to be moved. They can take years to get re established and bloom again. Can’t wait to see the flowers!
Emily E says
Your mystery plant is a peony which I’m sure you’ve been told in the preceding posts. Very minimal maintenance and giant blooms. A word to the wise: you will want to use some sort of gridded grow through support system to keep them from flopping from their heavy blooms. I repurposed a few metal lampshade frames and they work great! Don’t worry about the ants that will show up all over the buds, they are just enjoying some of the nectar and sugar that coats the buds. Peonies are very long-lived (like a hundred years) so enjoy! Oh, and your seedlings look wonderful!!! I do have a question though: the germination rates are perfect- do you use seed from year to year or all new every year?
UpstateNYer says
Mavis, You might want to try this with a lint roller.
https://www.facebook.com/tips4homecom/posts/1286841031451802
I also tuck the bottoms of my pants into my white socks. I don’t care how ridiculous I look. And I always wear pants when mowing the lawn. No shorts !
Kathy says
I would get the netted hat. You have been told about black fly season, right? Typically it comes between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day where we are. With this week’s temps it could be earlier. They are sometimes called no-see-ums The first year is usually the worst for your body reacting to the bites but it does put a bit of a damper on being outside. They will go after Lucy too.
Lori says
Treat your clothing with Permethrin (available at Amazon, of course!) and it helps deter/kill bugs and ticks that get on your clothing. It is a hazardous thing, tho, so be careful of washing your hands, and don’t let little Lucy lick your clothing.
Diane says
You can make your own peony grid by placing several bamboo sticks (or from your woods) around the perimeter of the plant & criss-cross with twine so the branches grow up through it. Maybe 2-3 feet tall to support the heavy flowers. And agree about making sure debris or soil hasn’t covered the eyes or it won’t bloom well.
Susan says
Buy the hat for your husband.
(You are planning to have him cut down
about 20′ of trees this summer so your garden will have sunlight.)
I can just imagine the ticks that are going to be crawling all over him.
Make sure you check every nook and cranny on him.
Terri says
No kidding about the ants on a peony! My sister and I were cleaning the house our parents were moving into. We spotted the blooming peonies in the yard and took some blooms home with us. We had ants everywhere in the car! Totally forgot ants love peonies.
Leslie J Honcoop says
Agreed, a peony.
And maybe you should consider getting some gaiters. My sister got them when she went hunting in Africa where there are lots of ticks. They go over your shoes and ankles and keep the bugs from going up your pant leg. I’d try Cabelas to see what they look like.
Carrie says
Your seedlings look amazing! I planted out peppers (store bought), herbs and some tomatoes over the weekend. I have more tomatoes that I grew from seed to plant this weekend.
I found a deer tick on me last week 12 hours after a short hike in the woods. I’m in NC. I usually don’t find them on me until later in summer. Not a good sign!!!!
Mary says
I saw the other day someone suggest using a lint roller on your clothes to pick off ticks. I don’t know how well it works, but its a cheap experiment.
E in Upstate NY says
More on peonies, go ahead, cut the flowers, but let the stalks stay on till after a killing frost. To prevent peony disease, remove the dead stalks prior to spring. Stalks are the only green that I don’t put in my compost. Instead they are donated to the city’s compost heap that cooks much longer/hotter than my compost heap.
Pine cone wreaths: collect the cones now during spring drop. Let dry on newspaper [easier to clean seeds and pitch]. Some suggest “cooking” in oven to kill possible bugs. When you are ready to make the wreath, soak the cones in water. They will close up. When closed, they can be arranged tightly in a wire frame. As they dry, the “petals” will expand and interlock not requiring wires.
So enjoying your New England gardening realities. thank you Mavis
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks for the pine cone tips E in Update NY
UpstateNYer says
I never knew they closed from water. Thanks for the info!
Nancy from Mass says
Yes, the mystery plant is a peony. and the reason they attract ants? it’s because the ants ‘eat’ away the wax on the blossoms and help them open! my mother had an enormous peony in her back yard and she is the one that told me. I have peony’s too and love them!
Typically when i cut them to bring inside, i leave them out for about 10 mins first laying down flat. most of the ants will leave the flowers after you cut them.
Maxine says
Ever listen to âA Way To Gardenâ with Margaret Roach podcasts? She used to be an editor for Martha Stewart and now has a garden in Northeast. I believe on her show she had a tick scientist talking about spraying clothes and a place you can send them. See her Dec 11, 2017 episode. Also, she had an older episode where she and her guest discussed that theyâve found in areas with diversity, specifically Fox and opossum ticks didnât carry disease. But she also has great garden discussions with specialists and author/gardeners.
Jessica says
Hi. I just found your blog through google and I was wondering, how many m2 is your growing space?
I’ve looked up how much space you need to grow 1000lbs of vegetables and they all seem to say different things.
Thanks
Mavis Butterfield says
I haven’t measured the garden space yet because I’m still working on clearing the different areas. I know that isn’t helpful now, but I should have everything cleared where I’ll be growing vegetables in about 2 -3 weeks.
Lissa says
Jealous of the peony :). We left our 20 year old ones when we sold our house—and the fools ripped them out.
2 things: Pinch the smaller buds out so the energy will go to making big flowers. For the ants–place cut flowers into a pitcher of water and drown them đ
Robin says
I agree on support for the peonies so they don’t flop over too much. After they’re done blooming they make a nice green shrub for the rest of the summer. Mine turned coppery in the fall until the frost or powdery mildew (lake air) got them. They were divided from peonies my grandma planted at her house in the 1940s so they’re hardy and long-lived. Hope the new owners of our house don’t rip them out – I mentioned they’re vintage. đ
CSirca says
Totally off topic but your Generac generator is awesome! We had one with the house we bought and we never know when the powers out, it runs the fridge, all our appliances, truly a lifesaver in the middle of winter or during the super hot summer months. If you haven’t had one before I think you’ll be pleased with it!
Mavis Butterfield says
It came on twice in late March when the power was out and it was AWESOME! đ
Lynn from NC Outer Banks says
I agree about the Generac generator. We have one also and it kept our appliances running during Hurricane Matthew last fall for 4 days. Our power can be iffy here in the Outer Banks and having it gives us such peace of mind!
Marie says
With so many plans for your spring/summer gardening this year, I’d just go ahead and purchase new white jeans and white T’s. If just one tick successfully bites either your husband or yourself, you’ll be laid up for some time. Seems like a rotten start to your forever home! Ask for the hat/netting too from ur kids for Mother’s Day and then they can duplicate their gift for ur husband on Father’s Day too. (Just pretend you are gardening in the Bahamas, South America, Africa…while wearing white- SO sheek)
Michèle says
Mavis the plant photo shown after your mint is a peony (Peonia)! Hope itâs a âbig bombâ as Tasha Tudor called them! Nice. Very nice.
Marcia says
Y’all are giving me the creepy crawlies with all this tick talk. I’m going to be freaking out when I visit our families on the east coast this summer. I know a few people who’ve had/ have lyme. It’s no joke.
Rebecca in MD says
Lucky you to have inherited peonies! I agree with the posts here to stake them now. I inherited them in my past house, and they are easy to divide in spring when the “eyes” are just appearing. A generous pie size slice will mature into a nice bush in 2 years. They are easy and long-lived. Three flowers can fill a vase. I used to cut flowers after a nice rain to avoid bringing ants into the house.
Min says
Try getting the white clothes painters wear.
Mavis Butterfield says
Like think canvas pants? That is genius! No biting through those babies. Thanks.
Julie says
If you are into “healthy” bug spray, try Homs.com. Its VERY stinky, and needs to be sprayed regularly, but I spray it on me and my dog, and it even keeps the biting flys away!! Wonderful!! I get the Xtreme Sportsman Organic insect repellent!!
Pat says
I have peonies that came from ones that my dad and his mom planted when he was a boy. She died when he was 16 and the oldest of 7 children. He would have been 107 this year. They are some old peonies! We also have a Generac. Those things are awesome!
A says
Dear Mavis,
How about a post about how you make your curtains?? I would love some help with this.
Also, if you have any tips for ridding a place of mice? Our weekend place gets them and I will be darned if I can figure out how they get in.
Thanks so much!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yep, I plan to do a post about the curtains. I am waiting for more fabric to finish the dining room curtains and then I will share some pictures and how I made them. As for mice… Mouse traps with peanut butter.
Gigi says
Buy the sticky pads. Theyâre awesome. The pads are large enough that the mice canât jump over and run and get stuck on the pads. You can leave the pads out without any bait. They will collect some bugs too and be sure to not let the pets step on them. Iâd recommend poison too.
Kim O'Dongohue says
I just read a thing about rodent poison. If the birds of prey eat the dead or dying rodent they can become very sick (I.e., owls) maybe someone who knows more can chime in, but it makes sense so I’m staying away from poison.
Christina D says
Those chicks will eat a lot of the bugs (especially ticks) when they are big enough to free range! You may need to think about adding to your flock!
Diana says
Peonies also attract flies which, along with the ants, work on eating away the membrane on the bud. In Illinois the flies are a nuisance so I won’t plant them near the house. As far as mowing them down, I do so late in the fall. Thus far, the plants that came with our house have returned every year. My in-laws lived here for 50 some years and I’m pretty sure they mowed them down as well. They are my favorite flowers! Enjoy.
Peggy says
Peonies are one of the best flowers ever! They need the ants to open the flower, but I’ve never had a problem with them, the ants that is. The scent of the peony is well worth the ants. đ
Your plants look great and Harriet and the arbor! The ticks will diminish with the area cleaned up. đ Great job, everything is so pretty!
Jen says
Check out Mainely Grass. They do a monthly (?) spray for ticks and mosquitos which we desperately needed in KPT. So worth every penny!
Debbie - MountainMama says
We have those stupid black flies now also, it’s a shame they chase me in at times which I HATE after waiting all winter to be outside! I have found a few things that help – I spray the heck out of a hat with strong bug spray (deep woods off works for me) and when I’m sitting out in the evenings I light citronella incense. Amazon has both the small sticks and the HUGE sticks that are amazing if you are entertaining. Light them about an hour before guests arrive. I have also lately been trying to repel the bugs with essential oils – plant therapy sells a product called nature shield – a few drops of that around my neck helps. Also geranium oil is supposed to be amazing to repel ticks both on you and your pup. A drop behind each of your necks before you go out. It’s worth a try, right? I’ve been doing it so far this season and no ticks, but it is early yet! Also yes, long pants, tucked into long white socks. And a tight tank top down over your pants so nothing can crawl in. Plus long sleeves tucked into gardening gloves. Welcome to New England!! đ Oh and watch out for those flies that look like a triangle (I call them triangle flies) – they have a WICKED sting!
Tracie@SomewhatAwry.com says
Love, love, love peonies! My Mamaw called them “piny’s”. Harriet looks lovely now!
Paige says
Mavis,
I’m curious if anyone mentioned using Sulphur to keep the ticks off of you? I didn’t read through all of the comments regarding the ticks.
I live in Texas and the ticks have been bad here the last several years. We distribute Sulphur pellets on the ground, we have 12 1/2 acres so we use a seeder attachment on our Kubota tractor. We also put powdered Sulphur in an old sock and then knock the sock around our boots and pants legs. We also wear larger brim hats, like sun hats, to keep them out of our hair when we’re trimming trees and clearing briars.
Also, on the riding mower subject. Have the handsome husband check out Kubota tractors. We got a BX25D Kubota tractor that came with a backhoe (attaches with a 3-point hitch), front-end loader, and 60″ mower deck. Before we got the Kubota, my handsome husband looked at the John Deere tractors. However, the Kubota was a much better deal not just because it came with all the implements I mentioned but it is made in the USA and we got 5 years no interest through Kubota.
Kim O'Dongohue says
Lucky you peonies! Beware of the ants if you don’t like bugs.