Yesterday, we almost flipped when we saw a Western Tanager in the big elm out back. It flew to the Mulberry and disappeared from view.

In other news, Saturday saw the tilling in of the rest of the green manure, as well as the tilling and leveling off of a little patch of dirt by the back peach that never gets water and therefore never grasses in. When we irrigate next week we shall see if the problem is fixed.

Plug aeration continues. When the grass begins to achieve summer stress I may discontinue it. But the earth is so compacted from the silted water and the weight of being underwater that it may need it all summer.

Posted by Underblog at 6:07 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

The Bermuda grass in the back is finally turning green. Once the irrigation begins it only takes a couple of weeks. In other news, the cherries are now pea-sized and the peaches, pears, and apples have all passed the almond-size stage and are proceeding directly to grape-size. The peas that Sherm planted way back when are now bearing flat little pods. Sherm also planted some sunflower seeds last week, along the eastern wall.

Several cacti are now blooming, including an Old Man of Peru and a very spiny Prickly Pear lookalike. The local Prickly Pears have many buds, but have not yet bloomed. See a few pics here.

This has been a big year for aphids. Many of the early blooms on the roses have been damaged, either by the little green insects or by frost and wind (both of which they have endured).

The cottonwoods are ominously bearing their seed pods, and I suspect that it will not be long until we are inundated with cottonwood seeds flying about.

Finally, Sherm scored some cushions for the bancos in the courtyard. Harry seems to enjoy them, and between the cushions and the indoor plants moved outdoors for the season, it is really looking quite quaint out there.

Posted by Underblog at 9:48 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)