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Tag Archives: Methow

Compost – Brown Gold for Gardeners

The weather still feels like March around here – blustery with a constant threat of snow squalls or rain. Still, it’s time to work on the garden and pretend that Spring will be here before summer. It could be one of those years where the temperatures just get hot and stay there without a Spring reprieve from the extremes of heat and cold.

So despite the weather we we did a garden survey and decided that the raspberries we planted last year will need more room and soon, that is if we want to get lots of raspberries and of course, we do! So, where to put them? They are in the new upper garden next to the house, the one we created out of a barren lawn two years ago. The most logical place to expand seems to be the old lower garden on the hillside below the house. The plan is to sheet mulch the area to be added to the fenced garden this summer, put in the fence posts in the fall and add the fencing next spring, just in time to start the big raspberry move.

But first, there were two big compost bins that I had made out of pallets and baling twine the summer before last and they were in the way. So to begin with, I took out the ‘finished’ compost and spread it on the garden beds. What a lovely sight for a gardener – fresh compost – it just doesn’t get any better than that.

And then, I had to dismantle the bins and move the older compost to wait and continue to rot til next Spring.

 

The compost for next year looks really good on top of the pile but down inside there is still lots of work for the worms and other composting agents of the soil.

And I’ve already started on the pile for 2013!

The garlic got a good layer of compost and chicken manure and then I pulled last fall’s mulch back over it to help keep it warm for now and also to supress the weeds.

And it looks like we might soon have daffodils in bloom.

‘Super’ Full Moon from March 19th

Seems like I’ve had lots of images lately and these slipped my mind. If you recall, on March 19th, there was a Super full moon. According to NASA Science News “Full Moons vary in size because of the oval shape of the Moon’s orbit. It is an ellipse with one side (perigee) about 50,000 km closer to Earth than the other (apogee). Nearby perigee moons are about 14% bigger and 30% brighter than lesser moons that occur on the apogee side of the Moon’s orbit. The full Moon of March 19th occurs less than one hour away from perigee–a near-perfect coincidence1 that happens only 18 years or so.”

So, one week later, here are the images I made on the evening of March 19th.

While waiting for the moon to come up, I noticed this towering cloud over Studhorse Hill and lower Bear Creek, north of here.Cloud over Studhorse Hill

The moon glow over Balky Hill'Super' full moon, March 19

'Super' full moon, March 19

'Super' full moon, March 19

Signs of Spring

Two days of spring-like temperatures, some sunshine and rain have led to a diminishing snowpack. It is a bit of a relief to walk on solid ground in some places. The garden, near the house and with a southwest aspect is rapidly warming and the dirt is showing signs of life. After being able to walk to the compost pile ALMOST without walking in snow, I decided to take my camera out for a walk to see what it can see.

 

Jerome, the garden gnome, slowly emerges from the snow, ringing his bell to welcome the change of seasons.

 

One of last year’s hops, drying in the snow.

 

Chives, ready to eat.

 

More chives.

 

Catmint, planted late last summer. I wonder if cougars are attracted to it?

 

One of last year’s leaves, in black and white and in color.

 

A johnny-jump-up alredy showing color. I knew I loved these invasive little annual/perennial delights for some reason.

 

And Lemon Thyme, already fragrant and green!

Mud Season Continues

Some days the sun shines and the promise of spring is everywhere. Other days, like today, we wake up to snow and then rain, gray skies that do not help melt the heavy snow or dry up the mud. Wednesday was a day that featured the promise of spring with birds singing and outstanding views and water rushing down the road, creatiing rivulets and puddles and imitations of Lake Missoula flooding everything in its path. 

Says Phoebe

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Methow Valley Mud Season

Much is said about the four seasons of wonderful weather that everyone loves in the Methow. However, few talk about the fifth season – Mud Season. This is a time when folks flee the valley. Vacations are planned around this time of year. Any sane/smart/well-adjusted person finds some reason to be somewhere, nearly anywhere else, this time of year. Snow continues to be piled all around houses; some roads and many driveways alternate between ice (in the dark of the night and early morning), slush, and then mud. Skiing condtions might be good, but more likely a skier will be faced with slow, jerking slop. Classic skiers rejoice, letting skate skiers know that their season is longer and more adaptable to unpredictable weather. The ice rink is closed. Alpine skiers enjoy the few remaining days at the Loup, knowing that the lifts will soon cease to operate despite plenty of snow in the mountains. And some of us yearn for Spring and gardens and look forward to next Winter.

 

Where do you park the car?

Mud Season in the Methow

 

Don’t go out without your mud boots.

Mud Season in the Methow

 

The promise of Daffodils

spring daffodils

 

and Strawberries too

promise of strawberries