i aM a CouNtin

This weekend's weather sucks. Cold. Not too bad when the sun comes out but still cold. Next weekend though is looking very, very nice. 

It is going to be a busy week, I can definitely see that coming. Wait, let me go check the lottery ticket. Nope, not a winner. So after expelling all of my energy this week I hope I have some more for the weekend's events we sorta have planned. I am going to lay out probably three 4'-0" wide x 25'-0" long ground rows for the potatoes, onion, garlic, etc. As I said in an earlier post I'll have to get some dirt delivered as our really sandy soil doesn't contain much nutrients except for the bermuda wiregrass (darn stuff.)  Renting a tiller is also on the list but I did get a couple of gift cards for Lowes for my birthday so that could be a late present. I also will be turning everything over in the raised beds and adding a little compost to them. Going to extend the 8'-0" long beds together so that there will be three 4'-0" wide x 19'-0" long beds. Still have to do the pergola over them but that will hopefully be done on our April off time. And we'll also head up to the nurseries Saturday morning to look for a few plants, especially strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, etc. So, this weekend's planting list is..

• Potatoes, red and yellow
• Red, yellow, and white onions
• Garlic
• Asparagus
• Carrots, Danvers half long
• Cabbage, Copenhagen
• Lettuce, Mix loose leaf
• Strawberries
• Blackberries
• Blueberries

Amy has her flowers she has to figure out what to do with. The front beds needs a reworking after last year. 

Picked this up at Walmart this morning. Project for this year. Last year it was the $1.00 tomato. This year it is The Boy's tomatoes and cucumbers and this Impatiens kit. Starting it today and we'll wait and see. I was surprised with the $1.00 tomato last year so fingers crossed. 

Well, sitting here in the office typing this I can see that some watering needs to be done. This is my view. 

So let me get off of here and get that done and a few other small projects, maybe some work work. Check in later. 

Frozen Planet

Watched the Frozen Planet series yesterday afternoon and evening and I must say that it is good TV.

These are the kind of shows I enjoy watching. No reality TV for me. I also watch HGTV and DIY Network when I get the chance although DIY is on my list as Ahmed Hassan is no longer on Yard Crashers! And I can't forget This Old House. Never really liked Villa but these new guys are fun to watch.
Back to Frozen Planet. Now if you've watched any of the other Planet series you know that you're in for a big reality check. First, Man is not at the top of the food chain. I'd say we'd be around 6 or 7. Secondly, the efforts of the filming crews and the shots they get are outstanding. There's a lot going on that you don't know about. Third, you find out just how fragile this planet is and how the activities of some have devastating impacts on others, namely the wildlife and planet itself. Now, I've never been one to go around and loudly beat the save our planet drum or join Greenpeace but we have as a family in recent years began to do more of what is responsibly correct for the environment. We recycle all household items that can be recycled, donate to Goodwill old clothing that maybe go into the trash (and if they are too bad they become garage towels), I recycle the motor oil from the vehicles, fill my cans with rain water, but there is more that we can do. Once we get the move complete, there will be a couple of composting containers and rainwater barrels that I'm making from food grade 55 gallon plastic drums, I'll be looking at a smaller, fuel- efficient car for traveling in and leave the truck at the house, use one metal bottle for our drinking water and rid ourselves of those plastic ones for good, and continue with our recycling efforts. We have upgraded the appliances with high efficiency units and are considering the front loader washing machine and dryer. If I'm able to get the gardens going this year, I'm planting main crops that can be frozen and/or canned. Of course I've spouted about solar energy so this fall I'm going to have someone come out and give me hard numbers for a system.

There are a lot of good ideas out there, more that I want to explore. Watch the series if you haven't.