Saturday, August 25, 2007

A Nice Saturday

It was a beautiful, late summer Saturday and a welcome change from the rainy week we just finished. I mowed the lawn....it's amazing how quickly the grass has recovered from drought conditions of a few weeks ago.

The grass was really long in some spots....looks like I'll be spending some quality time with a rake tomorrow.

I still haven't gotten out to deal with this giant ragweed. Some of the stalks are still upright, but a lot of them fell down in the heavy rains of last weekend.

Look at all these grapes. This is a grapevine the birds planted and it's covered with grapes this summer. I'd like to pick these (before the cedar waxwings discover them) and see if I can get some jelly made.

My apples are getting bigger on the trees. Some of the branches are hanging almost to the ground with the weight of all these apples.

Here are some of the white berries of the red osier dogwood. I was surprised to find these....the birds usually pick them off as soon as they're ripe.

The crabapple trees are covered with little apples too. Aren't these pretty? The cedar waxwings and robins should be pretty happy with all these little treats come winter (if the starlings don't get them first!)

I wasn't able to spend much time in the garden last week either. Looks like I'd better get these tomatoes picked tomorrow! I haven't found any bugs on these tomatoes. The chipping sparrows spend a lot of time in the garden and I think they've been eating many of the insects.

My highbush cranberry bushes are loaded with fruit! I found a couple of recipes for jelly and sauce on the internet, but it says the fruits are better if they get frosted once before picking. I think there's enough here for me and the birds this year.

My goldfish seem to be happy with the cooler weather also. At least they seem to be a little more active, not hiding under the plants all the time.

Can anyone tell me what's eating these little round holes in the oak leaves? I looked close at a couple of leaves while I was mowing today, but couldn't see any small insects or caterpillars that might be responsible.

10 comments:

Jayne said...

What a plethora of yard berries and such!! My grandfather used to have a vine of muscadines... we loved eating them right off the vine. Looks like everything benefitted from the rains.

Ruth said...

Hope you get a break from the rain for a while. I love all the fruit and berries in your yard. This is coming up to my favourite time of year.

RuthieJ said...

Hi Jayne,
When I planted most of these things it was with the birds and wildlife in mind. Now that they're all so big and bearing lots of fruit, it looks as though there's enough for us too!

Hi Ruth,
My favorite time of the year also....too bad the days are so much shorter now, but it has finally cooled down a little.

Cathy said...

Wow, Ruth - you've got a green and fruitful thumb :0) Homemade jelly - homegrown tomatoes. Yummy.
(I guess you don't have bad allergies to ragweed if you let that giant one hang out nearby :0)

RuthieJ said...

Hi Cathy,
I consider myself one of those exceptionally fortunate people who has very few allergies. Thankfully no hayfever, mold, pollen, or bee sting allergies at all, so I can be out in the yard as much and whenever I want.

entoto said...

Ruthie!

Your habitat is gorgeous! So much to show and share. I love it.

I have spent the last three mornings before work picking the dwarf blueberries in my yard. I cannot wait to make jam.

Mary said...

Ruth, it's getting late and I just stopped by to tell you there is an award waiting for your pick-up on my post tonight (8/26). Have a good night.

Anonymous said...

By the way... I would be happy to taste-test that grape jelly for you... You know... to give you suggestions for improvement... that sort of thing!

RuthieJ said...

Hi Trixie,
I love blueberries! My neighbor has relatives in Thunder Bay and one year he brought me back a whole bucket of delicious little blueberries to freeze. I'm not sure they would grow in my heavy clay soil.

Hi Mary,
Thank you, thank you!

Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for your offer. I've never made grape jelly before, so when (if) I get it made, I'll have to send you a jar.

Larry said...

Nice crop of berries!-You must get lots of fruit eating birds in your yard.