2026, My year of Garden Narcissism

[Shades-of-Oregon]

Alrighty then ducks you got it all lined up and sharpening tools ta boot. I use an attachment on the battery op drill to sharpen most of my tools. But ya know those chains on the battery op chain saw are tricky to sharpen .. generally it’s easier for me to just order a new one . After years of wear and tear on the old one it’s a miracle when a new chain is attached.. then … that is when you start to think why didn’t I get a new one years ago…

 

[ducks4you]

THX!
I should add that middle DD still needs to put soil on top of her bed. She was reading about mixing in compost, but told me that she has a stash of leaves from last Fall.
I suggested that she mix the leaves with the soil that she is buying instead.
Sometimes we don't really understand it when somebody says that they grow in straight compost.
It reminds me of the bottom of my spot where I used to burn before my burn pit. We moved it with the tractor. At the bottom it was straight soil, after 5 years of piling up.
THAT is the type of compost that you grow straight in.

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

THX!
I should add that middle DD still needs to put soil on top of her bed. She was reading about mixing in compost, but told me that she has a stash of leaves from last Fall.
I suggested that she mix the leaves with the soil that she is buying instead.
Sometimes we don't really understand it when somebody says that they grow in straight compost.
It reminds me of the bottom of my spot where I used to burn before my burn pit. We moved it with the tractor. At the bottom it was straight soil, after 5 years of piling up.
THAT is the type of compost that you grow straight in.

Actually I only use mushroom compost in my garden , it’s particularly good for improving soil structure, increasing water retention, and boosting organic matter. Also good to use to top off trees and shrubs occasionally. I have it delivered from a mushroom farm then use the front bucket on the compact tractor to scoop it up and then spread it using a hard rake.

 

[ducks4you]

WONDERFUL Carbondale cottage weekend!!!
White Avalon is almost done--they are sending a car this PM to pick me up for retrieval.
Laid down camo tarp yesterday, will need to put down More tarps there.
I wanted to check in. Probably too much weeding, etc. to do--I will check in again on Friday with turtle pictures from the weekend.

 

[ducks4you]

Had some car problems....later...
We fed the turtles on the pond. Owner leaves turtles food and they Do look for you. We had had a fire earlier and noticed that 15 turtles had been sunning themselves on several logs. After some videos that we were watching I looked out and saw several Still on a log, went to the railing on the stairs and took this shot. DD asked if I wanted a closer photo. The Second she stepped down the stairs they all dove off!

 

[ducks4you]

We stopped at a winery, had lunch with Wine (Merlot for me, White something??? for DD,) and artichoke and spinach dip for an appetizer. I asked the server what wine goes best with salami. I took her recommendation.
She was surprised that anybody would ask her opinion.