With warmer weather comes a chance to enjoy the outdoors. The link below give instructions on making a tree swing.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/2007-05-01/How-to-Build-a-Tree-Swing.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost

I hope you enjoy this project, whether you just read about it or put one in your yard.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Spring is right around the corner, and the need to drag out the garden hoses will not be far behind.

The problem is, some people who try to garden in small spaces may not have access to an outdoor faucet. I have outdoor faucets, but I like this tip because I do not have a hot water faucet outside.

Some kitchen sinks and wash tubs have a garden hose thread right on them. (There may be a standard faucet end screwed onto it.) If there is not one present, most hardware stores and home centers have an adapter available.

A garden hose can be attached to the sink and run outside to aid in some projects. I find this to be a great way to have hot water for outdoor cleaning projects. Just remember to have a shutoff on the end of your hose, since it would be impractical to go back inside to turn the water on and off.

I keep a short piece of hose handy in the house to aid in filling buckets and any other large items without having to try fit the large containers in the sink, and under the faucet. This will still be handy if I ever add an outdoor hot water spigot.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I am still deciding what I will be planting this year. I hope to have it all decided soon. When my decisions are made, seeds can be started. Once all this begins more information on seed starting will be posted.

I always start a few plants indoors. Space constraints keep me from doing as much as I would like. Usually a combination of things are started indoors. Everything from the a few vegetables to flowers. I have more success by starting pumpkins and any specialty gourds early indoors, rather than direct seeding. Sunflowers are a great choice for kids or as a first attempt by anyone.

Yesterday gave us a fresh blanket of snow, but I am ready to get planting.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I found this at www.incredibleegg.org. I thought I would share it.

Having trouble getting the kids to eat vegetables? Try these pancakes. You can add any shreddable vegetable to the batter. Serve the finished cakes just like you would serve other pancakes or stack them like a BLT sandwich with bacon and tomatoes.

ingredients

* 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed OR 1/2 teaspoon fresh snipped dill weed
* 4 eggs
* 2 tablespoons minced green onions with tops
* 2 teaspoons lemon juice
* 1 1/2 cups shredded, unpeeled zucchini, drained and pressed
* Reduced-fat dairy sour cream, tomato slices and/or crumbled, crisp-cooked bacon, optional

preparation
In medium bowl, stir together cheese, flour, baking powder and dill weed. Beat in eggs, onions and lemon juice until well blended. Stir in zucchini.

For each cake, drop 1/3 cup batter* onto hot, well greased skillet or griddle (380° F for electric griddle). Cook on both sides until golden brown. Serve hot, plain or topped with sour cream, if desired.

yields 6 pancakes

* For 16 appetizer-sized cakes, use 2 tablespoons batter each. Serve with mayonnaise or sour cream garnished with fresh dill weed, if desired.

Variations

Carrot: Substitute shredded carrot for zucchini.
Potato: Add 1/4 teaspoon salt to dry ingredients. Substitute shredded potato for zucchini.

I hope you enjoy it.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Welcome to the second installment on choosing a tractor for your larger yards/gardens. Today we will be looking at compact tractors.

Compact tractors are just as the name implies, a compact tractor. All the features of their larger counterparts are there in a smaller package. They are generally diesel powered machines with four wheel drive as a popular option. Most of these compacts also accept front end loader attachments. Some have a mid-mount PTO (power take off) to accept mid mount mowers, and most all of them have rear PTO and three point hitches. Auxiliary rear hydraulics are available on some machines. The PTO allows the implements to be powered. This is where an attachment drive shaft links to the tractor. It will power such things as tillers, mowers, seeders and pumps for sprayers. The three point hitch is the lifting mechanism for the rear mounted implements. The two lower links do the lifting while the top link acts as a point of adjustment from tractor to implement. The auxiliary hydraulics are not as common, but are available on some models. This adds more versatility. This adds controls for some rear attachments. You are able to operate some items with a lever from the seat of the tractor.

These are wonderful choices for a small farm, or just a large homestead. Listing all the choices in the compact tractor market is nearly impossible. There are many brands available. Finding one that is right for you is as simple as deciding the tasks you plan on using it for. Always look ahead to future plans. A loader may not seem important today, but will it be something useful in the near future? If you plan on using it in a garden setting, be certain the tractor is narrow enough to navigate the rows. Too wide of a tractor row will be a waste of ground. Other things to look at are whether four wheel drive is a necessity, tractor horsepower, ease of maintenance and operator comfort. You will think of many things as a list is being made.

A compact tractor can save a lot of time and work. Projects that would be nearly impossible by hand are quickly completed with a compact tractor.

Another bonus is that all tractors, big and small, are just plain fun to be around.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

This may be an answer for local readers:
http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090217/NEWS01/102179970/-1/NEWS

If you are not in the local area, look for similar programs in your community. If none exists, see what you can do to rectify that. Gardening can be a wonderful way to bring people and communities together.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I remember reading an interesting fact about Monroe County a few years ago. It stated that Monroe County was among the top horticulture producers in Michigan. This tidbit popped back into my mind recently in the most unlikely of places. High school gymnasiums.

My oldest son is on his high school’s varsity wrestling team. Because of this I spend quite a bit of time in gyms. I have ran into two area growers with ties to his team alone. This shows me that horticulture is still very important in our county. Local growers are an important part of whatever community they are in.

With that in mind, I encourage everyone to buy from local growers whenever possible. The benefits are many. Who knows more about a particular plant than those who grew it? Plants grown locally are well adapted to the local climate. The list could go on.

I will occasionally try to highlight local growers. I feel this can be very helpful for the continued success of these small, family run operations. You may find just the plant you are looking for at one of these businesses, or you may never have the chance to visit the places I speak of. I simply want to make everyone aware of the options available to buy locally.

Do you have a favorite local nursery or greenhouse? Let me know. I doubt I will ever get to everyone, but I can try. I love field trips.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

There is controversy in the world of seed companies. I just found this story yesterday. A company is trying to patent warty pumpkins, although the pumpkins in question have been grown for years and years.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Grow-It/Siegers-Seed-Company-Attempting-To-Patent-Warty-Pumpkins.aspx?blogid=1502

What do you think about this? Please post your opinions.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

You may remember when we first talked about the nesting material project.
http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/?p=714

Now is the perfect time to get this project ready to be placed outside. I collected some two quart orange juice cartons to use as dispensers for the materials. We have been collecting nesting materials for some time now. With the snow having melted, I was able to locate a few sticks to serve as perches for the dispensers. I think everything is ready.

Making the dispenser will be quite simple. I plan on making two different types that can be placed different ways. One style allows the dispenser to hang from a tree near the bird feeders. The other style can be secured to a fence post in the garden. They both start out the same way. Two holes need to be cut, on opposite sides, so the birds have access to the materials. These holes will also aid in hanging the cartons. Using a large nail or other pointed object, punch a few drainage holes in the bottom of each carton. Holes should also be punched underneath the access holes to accept a stick. Be sure the stick fits tightly as this will serve as a perch.

Hanging the dispensers can be done quite easily. A string or wire can be put through the top to hang it from a tree or other item. I plan on making a small hole to put a screwdriver through in the front of the dispenser that will be mounted to the fence post. A screw with a large shouldered washer will go through the back of the carton and into a pre-drilled pilot hole in the fence. The small hole in front allows access for the screwdriver to secure the dispenser to the fence.

Strings can be cut into various lengths from 2″ to 8″ in length. These can be placed in the dispensers for the birds to use in their nest building. Other items that can be used as nesting material includes small scraps of cloth, cotton balls, feathers, yarn, hair and animal fur or wool. Even small strips of mylar balloons will be a treat to some birds. The shiny strips remind the birds of snake skins, which some bird incorporate into their nests. They are used to keep predators away. There are numerous other items that may work also. Just give it a try or feel free to ask me about the items.

I plan on adding some food source close to the nesting material dispensers to bring the birds in. I still have dried sunflower heads from last year’s garden. I think those will be an enticing treat to bring them in.

I hope to have photos posted when the dispensers are finished and installed. I want to have them put out in the next week or so.

Quick tip: If you like the idea of this but do not want to make a dispenser, the materials can be put in a wire suet feeder. This will work well also.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

The first step to adding chickens or other poultry to your backyard is choosing your chicks. I found this to be a helpful link.
http://urbanchickens.org/raising-baby-chicks

I just found a great link to building a simple and economical poultry pen.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Hands-On-How-To/Poultry-Pen.aspx?blogid=1504&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email

A steady supply of fresh eggs and composting material is just a few steps away. This can be a wonderful backyard project. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.

I’ll see you in the backyard!