The weather has warmed and summer is here. Our plants are thriving, or at least we hope they are. Now we have to be on the lookout for damaging insects and other problems.

Some damage is very evident. Other problems may be harder to spot. I like to just stroll around the yard and garden looking for bugs or evidence of their damage, if any.

Once the pests or their damage is found, steps can be taken to solve the problem.

An active approach helps keep our yards and gardens pest free. Many plant diseases, if present, can also be found early. This makes them much easier to deal with.

Observation is key. You may even want to keep a notebook of your observations. This is a great way to follow trends from year to year. As years go by you’ll be able to look ahead to potential problems.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Sometimes it’s the simplest things. I was adjusting a tomato vine back into its cage support. You can’t help noticing that “tomato plant” smell as you’re working with them.

Suddenly it was thirty years earlier and I was searching for tomato worms in my parent’s garden. I could see it like I was standing in the middle of it. Tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers and the list goes on. I can’t forget the green beans. They’re still one of my favorites.

I thought about helping with harvesting and canning. The old hand grinder clamped to the counter, and being told time and time again to stay away from the hot water of the water bath canner. There were times you could hardly move through the kitchen with all the supplies around.

It never seemed then that I would look back so fondly on it now. I hope to make similar memories for my children. I’m doing my best to achieve that.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I finally was able to do a complete maintenance check on my recently purchased chipper shredder. It was purchased used so I wanted to give it a thorough going over.

With all the recent wind and storms I have already decided it was a good purchase. It has already seen a lot of use and has done a wonderful job.

The motor was in good shape. An oil change was my first task. There is no better way to keep an engine running than regular oil changes. I like to use a multi viscosity oil in most equipment ( 10W 30). Many times 30w oil is suggested but it is not recommended in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I tend to keep using most equipment after the temperatures have dropped to below those temperatures. Always check your owners manual for specific recommendations.

Replacing the spark plug and air filter element completed the engine maintenance. I tried a new style spark plug. It claims easier starts, better fuel efficiency and longer life. We’ll see.

I was very happy with the condition of the shredder chipper unit. It needed nothing but a cleaning and lubrication. I always like to put a dab of grease on bolts as I put them back into their respective holes. This makes them much easier to remove later.

Quick tip: If you’re worried about taking something apart and getting it back together again, take some digital photos as you go. Using them as a reference can be helpful. Even sketches can help. Especially with belt routing.

I plan on adding a removable tongue later. This will allow me to tow it behind a small tractor.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I’ve been finding little surprises in and around the vegetable garden lately. Some aren’t that unexpected but some are a little more amazing.

As I have been pulling a few stray weeds lately, I’ve been finding tomato plants. These must have came from last years tomatoes that were tilled under at the end of last season. The seeds sat all winter and came up on their own. This is not a rare event but I smile every time I find one. Some stay where they are. Others are transplanted to wherever I can find room. I just can’t imagine discarding them. Who knows what they’ll grow into?

A more surprising find was not in the vegetable garden. I had a small bed of Red Sails leaf lettuce growing last year near our patio. I never took the time to do much with the bed at the end of last year. This spring while working on the front landscape I “stole” a few shovels full of dirt from that bed. Most of that soil ended up at the edge of the driveway near our front walkway and a large Lilac. I have a beautiful crop of leaf lettuce growing along the drive and under the lilac.

It always amazes me that no matter how hard we “try to make things grow”, sometimes they don’t need our help at all. Sometimes I feel they can do it better without our help. Nature is a wonderful thing. It never ceases to make me smile. That is something I can never get enough of.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

All of this wet weather has been great for my plants. The rain barrels are full and it looks as if they can stay that way for a while.

Now is a good time to finish mulching any plants that haven’t been. If everything has been mulched, now is the time to add another layer. The soil is well saturated from the recent rains. The more mulch that can be added helps keep it that way.

It is also very important for weed reduction. With the ground so moist weeds will grow vigorously as well. The mulch will help keep them in check.

I’ve been searching for whatever additional mulching materials I can find. The pumpkin vines are growing and ready to be mulched as well. The mulching keeps them moist and keeps the pumpkins much cleaner than if in contact with the soil. This is also true with any vining plants.

Grass clippings and straw are my favorite choices for mulching. There are many other choices as well. Newspapers can even be used for mulching the vegetable garden.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

There were two different garden walks in our area this weekend. This got me thinking even more about a news story a friend sent me recently.

It discussed the feelings of those who don’t think they can achieve similar results in their own yards. It gave the impression that because of this, some won’t even attempt gardening.

Garden walks are a great deal of fun for the participants and the avid gardeners they attract. But why is it some may feel intimidated by such elaborate surroundings?

Gardening can be a source of enjoyment for some and a passion for others. Decide where you fall and let the fun begin!

The benefits of working in the yard are many. The peacefulness of it is wonderful. I find it to be one of the most relaxing things I can do. It’s good exercise as well.

Will we all end up with yards like those that are put on display? No. But that should not discourage anyone from doing what they can, and what they enjoy.

I’d love to add stonework, paths and a water feature to my yard. But my kids need a place to play. The first thing anyone would probably notice when walking through our back gate would be a play set. In my yard I try to add as much detail as I can in the smaller spaces.

I have an appreciation for both the simple and the extravagant. I believe we all should be happy doing whatever we can in our yards, After all, it’s for our own enjoyment. What our yards may grow into is not as important as what we get out of them.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I sat down to write some thoughts on tools used in the yard and garden.

Before I even started I remembered I still had one thing left to do outside. So off I went, grabbing my cordless drill on my way out the door.

Then it occurred to me how helpful cordless tools can be in the yard and garden.

Some time ago I purchased a new cordless tool set. It is one of the brands that use the same battery in multiple tools. I have already added another piece and I’m sure there will be more to come.

Besides the obvious home and workshop uses, I have found many yard and garden uses.

The saws have been used for cutting wooden stakes and lumber for beds. My cordless jigsaw is great for cutting plastic barrels for various uses. (After drilling an entry hole with the cordless drill.)

The cordless drill is used for nearly too many things to mention. Assembling wooden plant supports is one. I use it to remove and replace the covers on my rain barrels as well. This list could go on forever.

I ever have a radio/charger for listening to music or a baseball game while I’m working.

There are also more yard care specific tools available using the same batteries. Pruning saws and trimmers are a couple of them. I don’t think these can be purchased without its own battery though. These would use the battery or batteries you already have as well.

I think the yard and garden specific tools would be best suited to the smallest yards. But it sure is nice to have options available.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Last year I purchased a convertible string trimmer. These units have a removable shaft that can be replaced with other tools. Some options include brush cutter, edger, cultivator head and pole saw.

The thing I discovered recently is that there are a few manufacturers of these items. These tools are a universal fit between most brands.

I’m currently looking at a pole pruner for my trimmer. I won’t be buying it right away, but now is a good time to start comparing brands, options and prices.

I really like the idea of one power source to operate many tools. Some would argue that with one power source, a breakdown puts you without more than one tool.

I believe that one source may be easier to keep maintained than multiple tools. Storage is simpler in the fact there are less bulky units to store.

I would suggest this as a good way to replace older items. Begin with replacing an old string trimmer. As the need for a new tool arises or as a an old one needs replacing, pieces can be added individually.

Add on pieces are much cheaper than buying a new unit with its own power source.

Most of these units are not built for commercial use. That is where individual pieces are best suited. But they do a wonderful job for residential use. I am very pleased with mine.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I spent a good bit of time in the yard and garden today. Many things were accomplished. I can spend this much time because it doesn’t feel like a chore.

It doesn’t matter if you’re in a small yard or on multiple acres. A love of the outdoors and your surroundings can make time spent working outside very enjoyable. This is what keeps all that work from feeling like it is.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I planted some lavender bell peppers this year. I can’t wait to see their color.

I”ll see you in the backyard!