Frozen and Fuzzy

Pictures of the frost in the garden from this morning.

FROST!

Last night it got down to -5... When I woke up this morning at 9am, the cars in the driveway still had frost on their windshields, and the grass in the shade was still frosty! Other than the frost, it was still a beautiful day out with not a cloud in the sky! Although the high was only 9 - boo, fall is officially here! This isn't the first time we've had frost so far this year - we've actually had frost in some form at least once every month this year. The night before Canada Day, there was frost in some low laying parts.

Because of the frost, and because it was actually nice out today and not raining, Mikey and I decided to pull some veggies from the garden! We found some rather large rutabagas, some great looking carrots, a few beets, some horseradish, and a few potatoes for the week. I honestly couldn't believe a lot of this was growing because the garden was so overtaken by weeds, vines, and whatever else could grab a hold of an empty spot! Here are some photos:

Giant rutabagas!

Carrots!

Aaaaannd a few potatoes!

Fall Is Coming!

It has been so cold this last week, you can feel the nip in the air that is going to start turning the leaves yellow. I walked to work the other day in flip flops, and quickly realized that it was a bad idea! My feet were freezing ALL DAY! Yikes! Today's high is only +10C! Brr! That is fall weather right there, time to bring out the heavy sweaters and winter coats if you ask me! Over the past month I've noticed that there haven't been any new blooms in the yard, and that most of the flowers are starting to die off now, but there are lots of other things that are starting to grow! Take a look:

Cherries! I think they are cherries - they look like cherries!

There are still tons of raspberries!! I don't know what to do with them all! You can go out and pick for an hour, and you wont even be done one row! I've offered to friends to come over and pick some, but it seems like everyone has raspberries!

Rosey Rose hips! I found a recipe from my favorite food site for Rose Hip Jam and Jelly!! If I have enough, I will totally try to make it!

Look at all these apples!!! WOW! I think I'll have a few! LOL I don't know what kind they are, but I have a feeling that apple jelly is in my near future, and maybe yours too - in Christmas gift form!

There are still some sunflowers growing strong, and some that haven't even bloomed yet! They are so pretty and vibrant, and in all different sizes! Here is a big one, and a small one:

My veggies in the greenhouse are coming along well, especially the peppers! The only pepper plants that have put out any fruit is the Carmen pepper plants. They are going to be sweet red bull horn peppers! Mmmm! If I get enough, I might have to make red pepper jelly! YUMMY!!!

My tomatoes are looking alright as well! I don't have as many as the peppers, but there are a few that look promising!

So thats all that has happened for August, not too exciting, but I am excited about my fall harvest! This week I will be checking my beets, carrots, and rutabagas, and maybe my potatoes too! YAY!

O Summer, where art thou?

Today is Wednesday, but.. it feels like Tuesday, because Monday was a Holiday. Although both Mikey and myself had to work Monday... it still doesn't feel like today is today... weird. Anywho, I've been noticing that these past few weeks have been super mild - weather wise. There have been a few days here and there that have been nice, hot and sunny... but other than the few, our summer has been very ... non summery. It actually feels like fall all the time, because it gets so cool at night! Now... I'm not complaining, I'm just making an observation.

I honestly don't really appreciate the blistering heat, or the freezing cold, so this milder weather is right up my alley. Normally it's nice out during the day. Mornings are a bit brisk, then the sun comes out for the afternoon, and then the clouds roll in during the evening, and there are normally quite a lot of isolated storms, and it rains off and on throughout the night. Some people around town say that this is what the Almanac forcasted, a mild and wet summer. Others have also said that even with all this rain, our water table still isn't close to where it should be. Makes sense, the slough at the farm is dried up.. and I can remember even 2 years ago it had water in it. I actually have a picture of it somewhere.. and birds are sitting in it... *looks* ...OK I can't find it.. But it does exist!

Well, regardless of pictures, I do hope it gets a bit more sunny and the temperature rises for the weekend. I really want to go tubing on the Pembina river! It's very affordable, even if you have a tube or not. For a tube, life jacket, and a shuttle ride, its $18-$22 depending on the size of tube you want. If you have your own tube, shuttle service is only $6! (That's cheaper than a cab ride!)

Rain Rain, Go Away...

ITS SO COLD OUT!!! It actually snowed Saturday night! Thats right, SNOWED. It's supposed to be JUNE TOMORROW and it was SNOWING on the weekend!! GAAHHH!!! Now it has been raining, and raining, for about 3 weeks straight. Where are we... Vancouver? My house warming is on Saturday, and I was really hoping it was going to be hot and sunny, as if it were June! It will be June next month right?

Apparently, we're not even going to break into the 20's for the next 2 weeks... This is so depressing! I mean, don't get me wrong, it's awesome that the garden and lawn, and all the fields and crops are all getting their watering in, but... does it have to be THIS WEEKEND? *cries*

**EDIT** 8:53pm

So... after I wrote this blog, the sun came out and it's been really nice and sunny all evening! I went outside and took some pictures of all the new things in the garden, and it its sunny again tomorrow, I'm sure there will be EVEN MORE things to bloom and take pictures of!!!! *happy dance* Now, if only it stays this way until the end of the weekend!

Brrrrr!!

I went to bed last night to the trickle of rain outside, and woke up this morning to crazy wind and blowing snow! Currently the weather is about 0 degrees. By the end of the week, it is supposed to be sunny and warm, and this brief snow storm will only make everyone more appreciative of the lovely greenery that will pop out after it melts!

Mikey took some pictures this morning at 6am when the snow was still falling heavily (click on photo for full view):

This is what it looked like after I walked the dog this morning:

It's really not that bad, but I think I should cut my bloomed Daffodils and put them in a vase inside before they whither and die. So much for working in the garden today, with the wind chill, it feels like -10! At least now I can concentrate on getting the house cleaned and tidied in preparation for the house warming!

The Weekend is here!

We are having another garage sale this weekend! But this time the weather is going to be beautiful!!! +22 this afternoon!!! WOO HOO!!! Maybe my pasty skin will actually get some colour, that would be miraculous! While I was at work yesterday, I noticed a few people had sun burns - probably from working outside all day! Speaking of the weather, 3 of my weather photos are showcased on the Tomahawk Weather Network page!

Today I also need to sow some more seeds to start indoors, and possibly replant my tomatoes into Coir pots - which is a great alternative to peat. Here is what my seed supplier has to say about Coir vs. Peat and Plastic:

"Contained in the study “Environmental Plan for the Floral & Nursery Industry”, we are told that over 140 million pounds of plastic pots are thrown away at the end of each season in North America. Other studies show that over 3 billion tons of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) is given off each year from the harvest of peat. With these astounding figures in hand, we are hopeful that our customers will seriously consider an alternative to plastic and peat growing containers.

While it is only a matter of time before the world is forced to lessen its dependence on these products, we at Veseys want to take a proactive approach to improving our gardeners’ stewardship of the planet. We invite you to consider these alternate Green products so that you can make a choice that you can feel good about when starting your favourite flower and vegetable plants.

Coconut trees grow new coconuts on a monthly basis therefore leaving the environment fully intact. Peat on the other hand takes approximately 220 years to renew itself. Compared to peat, this line of Coir (coconut fiber) seed starting products has a higher resistance to mold, produces visibly better & faster plant growth and rehydrates easily requiring up to 30% less watering. As parts of Europe are banning the use of peat by 2010, Coir is quickly becoming an ecological alternative for pots, pellets and growing strips. Made from 100% biodegradable organic material, coir products are more durable than peat and can be transplanted directly into your garden or planter."

The choice is clear! Coir pots all the way! And I will always re-use my plastic pots! Have a great weekend everyone!

Coir Pots - Vesey's Seeds

OH SNOW!

Mikey and I spent all night working in the garage getting ready for the garage sale this weekend (starting tomorrow at noon) while there was a snow storm happening outside! Crazy strong winds, and lots of sticky snow! (Boo!!)

The new patio furniture that we put out was completely covered in snow, and then as it got later in the evening, all the snow started to freeze - the roads are going to be horrible!





It was really something watching the snow "fog" roll in from the west over the hills behind our house, like a blanket of white! The winds were so strong, that I was also a bit worried that another tree might snap.

After a while spent in the garage, we took a break to get a drink and take the dog out for a pee, and the sky was bright pink and purple! It was amazing! I ran out to the back of the yard, and took a few pics quickly before my camera died! Kinda hard to believe that this is the exact same spot as the pic above, and just a few hours later!