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I’ll see you in the backyard!

Recently I had posted a spring project list:http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/?p=1240

I wanted to give everyone an update.

Everything is moving along very well. The landscape beds have all been cleaned up. The pruning is just about complete, there is just a little chipping/shredding to finish up. The area of the garden extension is just about ready, and I plan on tilling the garden today. I need to get it done before tomorrow because rain is once again in the forecast.

The raspberries look incredible this spring. I have the area set for the additional beds for the berries and I hope to build them soon. It appears I will have more transplants than I thought. The plants that spread by root division have given me many new plants this season. I will be posting some photos of them soon.

I started another project over the weekend. I am in the process of making a planter in a dead section of a large tree. I carved most of the planter out already. I just have to fine tune it and it will be ready for soil and plants. I will be posting photos of this as I go through the steps as well.

I was able to finish another rustic bench for the fire pit this weekend also. I just need to make one more to complete the set. I will then add a few individual logs stood on end to serve as small tables or extra seating.

Last but not least, I made new ramps to load equipment in and out of my utility trailer this past weekend. The old ones had reached the point where they were no longer as safe as I would have liked them to be.

By next weekend the garden should be partially planted and my tree stump planter will be ready to be planted.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I have found many signs of life from my plants in the last few days. The Clematis are already anxiously reaching for the trellis. The Butterfly Bushes are showing a substantial amount of growth. The Raspberries look absolutely wonderful this year. Everything seemed to weather the winter months very well. All the perennials are showing signs of life.

The Tiger Lilies are out in full force already. Just last weekend I traded some of them for some Irises and a few other plants. I may be moving a Rose of Sharon out of a landscape bed soon. I am still debating whether it is staying or going. The decision will be soon since I need to dig it before it leafs out. If I move it I will be posting photos of the process.

I will be setting the pond up for the season shortly. If the garden does not dry out soon it may be done earlier than I planned. I had hoped to plant most of my early garden crops first. There always seems to be plenty to do, no matter what the weather gives me. It will not be long before we are all hoping for rain.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

That is the question that has been on my mind. It gets real close to being dry enough to work, and more rains come. I know that it will eventually dry out. That day will not come soon enough.

I am now officially behind in my planting. I have some cooler weather crops that I had hoped to have in the ground already. I hope to have them in as soon as possible. My potatoes and onions are waiting to go in the ground also. Before I know it all the later crops will be ready to go in.

This is one of the joys of growing a garden. It is our perseverance versus Mother Nature. Our crops may not always go in when we want them to, but we always manage to pull off a harvest. Oh the joys of growing our gardens.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

It is that time again. The Austrian Pine are dropping their cones. They make for great crafting material. Whether you use them for holiday decorating, as bird feeders or any other use you can think of.

The Austrian Pine cones are my favorite for crafting. They have the typical “pinecone” shape and are very durable. If you have any in your yard or have access to them, get collecting! Keep them stored in a dry place until you are ready to get crafting.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I was asked to pass along a message from one of my readers. This is a wonderful opportunity for local readers of TBG. I was happy to oblige. Here it is:

If anyone needs aged manure for their gardens or flower beds, I have plenty to give away. All you need to do is come out and get some. It’s been sitting for 2 years so it’s basically humus. Bring your own bags or truck. I’ll load your truck, you load your own bags….

If you want a few bags or a dump truck load, just message me and we can work the details out……e-mail address…sales@flipmeisters.com

I’ll be happy to reply to any and all requests.

Thank you for the generous offer. And all I ask my readers is that they save a little for me. I’d love to hear from anyone who takes advantage of this opportunity.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

What a beautiful day to be outdoors. More importantly, what a great day to be in the backyard. I was able to get quite a bit accomplished and made a few fun springtime discoveries. I will be sharing those stories with you soon.

The best part of the day was cooking out for the first time this year. Lunch and dinner both came off the grill today. We even spent some time around the fire pit this evening. I was able to enjoy the yard from many aspects today.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

This recipe came from the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board. I thought I would share it.

This salad makes a delicious main course for lunch or dinner.

Dressing:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon orange juice concentrate
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil

Salad:
2 cups cut-up fresh or frozen Michigan asparagus
12 ounces crab meat (fresh or canned) or imitation crab
1 (10-ounce) bag lettuce mix
1 cup 1/2-inch pieces cantaloupe
1 cup sliced seedless cucumber

For Dressing, combine all ingredients; mix well. Set aside.

For Salad, steam or microwave asparagus until tender-crisp. Drain and let cool. Cut crab into bite-size pieces. Combine asparagus and crab in a large bowl; add lettuce mix, cantaloupe and cucumber. Toss gently. Pour salad dressing over all. Toss to evenly coat. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Note: Substitute 1-1/2 cups cubed, cooked chicken for the crab, if desired.

I hope you enjoy it.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Yesterday I noticed how much the raspberries have leafed out. That is one of my favorite things in early spring. When I see those leaves I know that the growing season is upon us.

After the excitement of finding the leaves had passed, I checked on the branches I had tipped in last fall. They all have rooted and look great. The new plants will be cut free from their mother plants in a few weeks. Within two or three years I should begin seeing fruit from these new plants.

I have these plants and the ones that were cut free last fall to plant this spring. I have a location for them, but a raised bed still needs to be built. I plan on getting to that very soon.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

It was a great day to be outside. Most of my tree pruning with the pole saw is completed. I was able to take out a few low hanging limbs as well as a few dead ones. We should be well stocked with wood for our fire pit for quite a while. The smaller sticks will be sent through the chipper.

I had wanted to get more done today, but I just decided to lose myself in the day. I talked to neighbors I had not spoken with since last fall. I watched the cardinal that paid the backyard a visit. It was a wonderful day.

I’ll see you in the backyard!