Seed Buying

Yep it's that time for me to start buying seeds from the store and the catalogs.Tonight I picked up some Thyme because last year I couldn't get the Thyme I planted to grow,so this year I'm doubling up on it to get the best results.I don't have to plant any Sage or Basil because I grew too much of it last year.I'm going to try my hand at growing Lavender this year just to see if it will do good here.I heard it's a pretty plant and you can grow it in pots.My Parsley is holding out really great.I still have a pot of it from last year and the bugger keeps on producing.I have it in my kitchen window where it gets full sun.So now since I know I can grow herbs,I'll try different ones this year.Maybe some Oregano and some more Rosemary.My Rosemary didn't do well but I'll try again on it.For my container garden I got to get at least 6 totes to start with.Maybe some buckets too.I maybe planting the Cherimoya tree in the yard this year.It's at least two feet tall now.This winter hasn't been too rough on the indoor plants.Needless to say we haven't had too much sun but enough to help a little.Looking through my catalogs found some blueberry bushes that look good and some grape vines. Hubstead wants to plant the grape vines out in the yard.I was hoping the blackberry bushes would of put out last year but they were very thin.I don't know if it was because we had that bad winter and it killed most of them or it was all the rain last year.

I turned into a plumber this week.I accindently knocked a bowl of grease down the sink and and yep it stopped up.So for three days I fussed with getting it unstopped. I took the pipe out and poured Dawn dish detergent in it and poured hot water down the drain.After three days it finally cut loose.
I was sort of proud that I handled it on my own after all it was my fault.My dad worked for the local water works and he use to take me out on weekend jobs  and I learned a few things about plumbing.I can't run pipe through a house but I can fix pipes already there.My bathroom is next this year.

It has been a mild winter here in the south.We had snow flurries the other day but have not seen a heavy snow.We had a storm come through that had a lot of heavy rain and we still have a puddle out in the yard.Oh and them damn frogs came back.Every frigging year we have these frogs that make a racket out there where the water ponds in the yard.We had a couple of days that was warm and I wanted to open the front door but couldn't because of the noise! My neighbor across the street caught a raccoon in a trap and that was the first one I've seen around here.Good she did,now that's something to look for when I get my chickens.I know I've been saying I'm getting chickens since we've been here but hubstead has been looking at coops to build.I want the coop built first.Finally got the backyard straightened out and it looks alot better.Hubstead wants to put in a pool which would be nice if we have a hot summer but by the time I get the chicken coop up I wonder if it would be feesable to put up a pool.You know chickens smell.I don't want a big coop but I want a nice size one.

Well that's what's been happening around here.I've just been staying around the house getting things ready for Spring which I can't wait for it to get here! I got to get all my pots cleaned out and fresh soil for them.This year the front is going to get some plants put in to make it look nice.We are getting some dwarf fruit trees too.Where they are going I have no idea.This weekend we got to burn some old boxes and do some house cleaning.I appreciate all of you who read my blog! When I get a chance to take some pictures I'll post them.

Are We Going to Have a Rainy Spring?

So the groundhog said we are going to have an early Spring. So far it looks like rain. It rained here last night really hard and now we have flash flood alerts.The creeks here get really swollen and the roads flood over too.I am hoping not,won't be good for getting the garden started.I have noticed that the daffodils are blooming around here.I called my sister-in-law to see if hers were blooming and she said she didn't know since they got their yard straightened out.She figured the backhoe pushed alot of the bulbs out.Too bad too she had some really pretty ones.Dang thought I had a picture of them.Any who I told her I was thinking of planting some but I really would like the ones she had.This morning the rain has cleared out and left a sloppy mess in the driveway.We sit on top of clay and it's nasty.


Hubstead has been looking for chicken coop plans,does it mean I may get my chickens this year? I sure hope so.That's all I want for this year is my chickens.It drives me nuts when I don't have eggs!
We have been buying from a local guy who has them but I want my own.Really good eggs though.This will be my fist experience with chickens but I guess I'll learn as I go along.There are many help sites on the internet and I got the chicken book to help me.I bought it and they say it's the best one to get.So we'll see.I am excited.

For my birthday(which is Friday)I'm getting a yoga mat and DVD.I used to do yoga and loved it.I'm totally out of balance and whack! I can't do the regular exercising so this is a milder form I think.I really know it will help my back which hurts alot.

YEA I got two tires for the truck!It rides a whole lot better.Now to start working on two tires for the front but the ones on it now will last till then.So this year has started a little rough but is smoothing out nicely.Got plans for the year and trying to keep up with all of it has been fun so far.I have my planting guide for what plants to get started in what month and I got to go next month and get the timber for the trellis out back.I'm doing luffas again this year,I've ran out.Always something to do around a homestead!! Oh and...... I got to buy my totes for planting.Another thing to do.I know one thing it better not snow when I get all this going! Talking about getting annoyed.


I feel for all the people up north that is getting a lot of snow.I hope our early Spring comes without a bunch of rain for you guys.We all need a good season to grow stuff this year.I think last year was just so messed up for people.A lot of gardens here didn't do well and neither did mine.I got 9 tomatoes off my bushes before those hornworms torn into them.The first year we were here,I grew some great tomatoes and other plants but now I know when those hornworms show up.I want to do a natural insecticide but some how it don't faze them.I really don't want to use a harsh bug killer but I may have to,along with the japanese beetles too.If you have an ideas please post it.I have use natural bug repelent like cayenne pepper and some stuff I bought at Lowes.

Now hunting season is over with here,I seen two deer out in the backyard.Both were does and pretty good size.I have a opposum that has took up resident under the house and a big one too.The frogs are back.They were really loud last night.Another sign of Spring I think.The hawks have been hanging out in the trees,they are nice size and the rabbits are back too.Another reason for the totes,they ate my green beans last year.So we are full of animals around here.Heard coyotes pretty close by too the other night.Not a good combo with chickens.Oh the hazards of living in the country!

Well that's been my weeks.Hope everyone has a great Wednesday and stay warm!