What a difference a day makes... 78 yesterday & 47 (with a 15 MPH north wind) right now. Looks like I have to move everything back into the greenhouse...
Whatcha Up To???
- Thread starter Mike
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ErnieCopp
Guest
About the only blessing i have noticed from the bad drought we are having is that it has slowed down the illegal gopher aliens. There are still a few in damper areas in the neighborhood, but the transient coyotes have been starving, so they have focused on the few gophers since they have run out of stray cats. But i expect the gophers to come back as soon as we start getting some rain again.
California has banned the type of bait that works best in the tunnels. but as it was getting in short supply i bought a case of it. So i am in good shape for the Gopher War for a few more years.
Ground squirrels were real bad here when i moved in, but have trapped most of them and not seen any lately.
Ernie
California has banned the type of bait that works best in the tunnels. but as it was getting in short supply i bought a case of it. So i am in good shape for the Gopher War for a few more years.
Ground squirrels were real bad here when i moved in, but have trapped most of them and not seen any lately.
Ernie
M
Mr_Yan
Guest
11 F out right now and blowing hard. Not even going to give dog a walk tonight.
@w_r_ranch you're what 8000 pieces into the first 10000 piece puzzle of the year?
@w_r_ranch you're what 8000 pieces into the first 10000 piece puzzle of the year?
Nah, we just started the first one (1000 piece). Been shopping for new ones every place we go, although there's not much of a selection at all this year. I may have to buy some on the internet.
Sharpen the chain saw & start cutting more dead trees down. If the wood is good, I cut it for firewood... If not, I threw it in a pile for burning later.
- Thread starter
- #856
Picked up some Diatomaceous Earth today. I'm hoping this stuff works as good as everyone says it does!
Not much in the garden as it rained some last night. I did pick more broccoli for supper.
De-boned 3 chickens (that I traded produce for) & then cut 17 steaks as we were getting low. Then vacuumed pack it all.
Baked bread.
De-boned 3 chickens (that I traded produce for) & then cut 17 steaks as we were getting low. Then vacuumed pack it all.
Baked bread.
- Thread starter
- #858
Not much over the weekend for me. Rained most of the weekend and I think I might be coming down with something as I've been very tired all weekend.
I did manage to get my small generator setup in my garage complete with exhaust out the garage and connection to the electric panel so if winter knocks out our electric we'll be good to go.
I did manage to get my small generator setup in my garage complete with exhaust out the garage and connection to the electric panel so if winter knocks out our electric we'll be good to go.
Pulled weeds. Repaired some damage from the pup.
I will have to build a fence around the garden cause the pup wont stay out of there. I'm gonna wait till spring time though. I will rebuild the entire garden then and install some fencing. This fall is what it is.... just hope I get something to harvest. Im just kinda like "whatever" at this point. Too much going on with the kids, new dog, hunting, and the holidays to take proper precautions right now.
Baby cauliflower coming in.
I will have to build a fence around the garden cause the pup wont stay out of there. I'm gonna wait till spring time though. I will rebuild the entire garden then and install some fencing. This fall is what it is.... just hope I get something to harvest. Im just kinda like "whatever" at this point. Too much going on with the kids, new dog, hunting, and the holidays to take proper precautions right now.
Baby cauliflower coming in.
This is what I have to contend with. Now the dog has my little girl involved. Its 2 against 1... and they are winning. LOL!
Thats ok I actually let them dig there. Pick your battles. Ha! I just removed 2 huge pines from that flower bed and most of it is getting sodded over in the spring to have more yard room.
Thats ok I actually let them dig there. Pick your battles. Ha! I just removed 2 huge pines from that flower bed and most of it is getting sodded over in the spring to have more yard room.
Tied up the leaves so they cover the head of the cauliflower (this keeps them white).
Did another batch of broccoli (blanch & freeze).
Did another batch of broccoli (blanch & freeze).
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ErnieCopp
Guest
My garden job today is going to be the same as the gardeners in China do when it rains.
I am just going to let it rain.
Ernie
I am just going to let it rain.
Ernie
Watered the garden, pots in the greenhouse, & all the trees.
Replaced the weatherstripping around both exterior doors in the guest house.
Continued working on the ranch sign.
Replaced the weatherstripping around both exterior doors in the guest house.
Continued working on the ranch sign.
Finished prep of ranch sign, it's ready for paint.
Move some of the remaining 3/4" aggregate to top dress the rock area around the greenhouse.
Treat the fire ants in the front yard.
Move some of the remaining 3/4" aggregate to top dress the rock area around the greenhouse.
Treat the fire ants in the front yard.
Watered the garden & the asparagus bed.
Started replacing the weatherstripping around the exterior doors (2 of 5) in the main house.
R&R the hose bib in the well house as it was dripping.
Treated the fire ants in/around the garden & in the hay trap.
Started replacing the weatherstripping around the exterior doors (2 of 5) in the main house.
R&R the hose bib in the well house as it was dripping.
Treated the fire ants in/around the garden & in the hay trap.
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ErnieCopp
Guest
Helper came yesterday and we spiffed the place up. Pruned the Grapes, Blackberries, both Fig trees, Loquat, and Peach, {I cut, or tell him where too, and he picks up the pieces] Planted a Jujube, and sucked up and ground some pecan leaves so they would not damage the Statis leaves. Set out some Frost covers on the Begonias so they will be easy to spread out if Jack comes to visit.
Except for blowing Pecan leaves off the driveway everyday with the lawn mower, and filling bird feeders, i am nearly done. Have two Ninebark trees and a grapevine to plant but January is fine for those.
Onion sets have nearly doubled in size since i planted those 2 or 3 weeks ago, but carrots, beets and cauliflower seedlings barely growing at all.
Really enjoying the dried figs and raisins for breakfast as well as the Blackberry topping for the ice cream, but did not have enough tomatoes this year to put any up. I will try to grow tomatoes again next year, but seems to be too cool here, and am going to spend more energy on Melons, berries, grapes and fruit, than on the regular vegetables.
Merry Christmas to All,
Ernie
Except for blowing Pecan leaves off the driveway everyday with the lawn mower, and filling bird feeders, i am nearly done. Have two Ninebark trees and a grapevine to plant but January is fine for those.
Onion sets have nearly doubled in size since i planted those 2 or 3 weeks ago, but carrots, beets and cauliflower seedlings barely growing at all.
Really enjoying the dried figs and raisins for breakfast as well as the Blackberry topping for the ice cream, but did not have enough tomatoes this year to put any up. I will try to grow tomatoes again next year, but seems to be too cool here, and am going to spend more energy on Melons, berries, grapes and fruit, than on the regular vegetables.
Merry Christmas to All,
Ernie
Picked a few more kohlrabi to go in tonight's roast.
Washed Mrs Ranch's Jeep & started the yearly detailing of it.
Washed Mrs Ranch's Jeep & started the yearly detailing of it.
Pretty much finished the yearly detailing of Mrs Ranch's Jeep, although I still need to do the interior.
Washed my truck & started the yearly detailing it (this will take a few days as there is a lot more vehicle to wax).
Applied the first coat of paint to the ranch sign.
Washed my truck & started the yearly detailing it (this will take a few days as there is a lot more vehicle to wax).
Applied the first coat of paint to the ranch sign.
It's in the 50s & rainy here today (1.80"), so I built a fire for Mrs Ranch & the dogs.
Picked a head of cabbage (going to put some in the beef/barley/vegetable soup I made for supper).
Applied the 2nd coat of paint to the back of ranch sign.
Picked a head of cabbage (going to put some in the beef/barley/vegetable soup I made for supper).
Applied the 2nd coat of paint to the back of ranch sign.
Still cold here... made another fire.
Applied the 1st coat of paint to the front of the ranch sign after masking off the letters.
I'm bored out of my mind being stuck in the house...
Applied the 1st coat of paint to the front of the ranch sign after masking off the letters.
I'm bored out of my mind being stuck in the house...
Built another fire as it is still cold.
.
Final coat of paint on the ranch sign.
Made a batch of biscotti.
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Final coat of paint on the ranch sign.
Made a batch of biscotti.
Finish the ranch sign - unmasked the lettering & reattached the hardware. I'll put it in the barn for the time being so I can put my Jeep back in the garage.
Cold weather is moving in (lows in the lower 30s). Then the forecast for the end of the year is really cold (possible 1" inch of snow on New Years Eve)... With this coming, I put everything back in the greenhouse (after watering) & drained the entire irrigation system to prevent possible damage.
Fed the cattle & put out 2 rolls of hay.
Made our daily bread & started making a loaf of sourdough rye bread (3 day process) to go with our Christmas ham.
Cold weather is moving in (lows in the lower 30s). Then the forecast for the end of the year is really cold (possible 1" inch of snow on New Years Eve)... With this coming, I put everything back in the greenhouse (after watering) & drained the entire irrigation system to prevent possible damage.
Fed the cattle & put out 2 rolls of hay.
Made our daily bread & started making a loaf of sourdough rye bread (3 day process) to go with our Christmas ham.
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ErnieCopp
Guest
We have had below normal weather the last three years, Hard frosts in a Frost Free Zone, but this year has been so warm i still have green leaves on the Nectarine tree and blackberry vines.
I have a beautiful crop of Kumquats starting to turn orange, maybe 20 or 30 times as many as last year.
Dog found a gopher tunnel in the Leriope so i put several doses of the potent poison in the tunnel. The neighbor runs a Gopher factory in his back lot, so i get the overflow each spring. But the population is way down because everything has been so dry the last few years the gophers have had hard digging.
Ernie
I have a beautiful crop of Kumquats starting to turn orange, maybe 20 or 30 times as many as last year.
Dog found a gopher tunnel in the Leriope so i put several doses of the potent poison in the tunnel. The neighbor runs a Gopher factory in his back lot, so i get the overflow each spring. But the population is way down because everything has been so dry the last few years the gophers have had hard digging.
Ernie
Went hunting this morning although I didn't see anything worth killing. Decided to harvest some turnips from the food plots I have planted since the animals haven't been hitting them due to the abundance of acorns.
Made our daily bread.
The battery in the Gator was too weak to start it yesterday (no previous indication that it was going bad), so I went & picked up a replacement this morning. I'll install it tomorrow as it's on the charger now
Weatherstripped another exterior door.
Made our daily bread.
The battery in the Gator was too weak to start it yesterday (no previous indication that it was going bad), so I went & picked up a replacement this morning. I'll install it tomorrow as it's on the charger now
Weatherstripped another exterior door.