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20 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY Walden Hill Journal with Jeff & Ellen Gold <strong>May</strong> 2, 2009 This is by far the greenest Green Up Day I can remember. Not only are the usual coltsfoot in bloom, but so are trillium, myrtle and marsh marigolds. Fiddleheads are well sprouted, poplars in early leaf, and red maple blossoms color the road. It was a very comfortable 50° with enough of a breeze to dry up the ground and keep the bugs at bay. We managed three large garbage bags and a box of recyclables on about two miles of road. <strong>May</strong> 3, 2009 A day of “firsts” today. We stacked our first load of wood, planted the first seeds (peas, lettuce, spinach and cilantro), noticed the first asparagus poking through and picked our first fiddleheads. We got the rinsing, double boiling and steaming instructions for preparing the fiddleheads and will enjoy a first sampling of them with supper tonight. <strong>May</strong> 8, 2009 <strong>The</strong> sun finally made an appearance today after leaving us literally in the cold for several days. It was just enough afternoon sun to warm up the house. Shad blossoms are beginning to open and marsh marigolds are in their prime. It was good weather for an afternoon stroll down Walden Hill. Three deer had been out in the red barn field earlier today but had left by the time we walked down. Neighbors suggested a side road which we took down to the beaver marsh. <strong>The</strong> old pond looks abandoned but recently gnawed trees indicate that they may have set up further downstream. We’ll be sure to go exploring there in the future. Meanwhile the black flies are out. Fortunately the swallows are back to help keep the pesky population down. It’s time for me to get out the bug baffler shirt and some bug salve. <strong>The</strong> first two asparagus are in the fridge awaiting a few more to make a meal. Saw our first bluebird this evening. He’s checking out the houses by the cherry tree and will hopefully find one to his liking. Swallows haven’t started nesting there yet so he has first pick. A quick visit from a wild turkey strutting up the road adds to our evening’s entertainment. <strong>May</strong> 9, 2009 Enjoyed our first garden asparagus. <strong>The</strong>re were just enough to steam and add to our broiled ham and cheese sandwiches. Had a late afternoon thunderstorm punctuated first by a double and then single rainbow in various degrees of intensity. Rising mist added more drama to the already very turbulent sky. <strong>The</strong> rain subsided long enough for an evening walk down the road. Four deer were grazing at the far end of the field, and peepers were singing their nightly chorus. Coolish temperature kept the bugs at bay. <strong>May</strong> 15, 2009 After several calm, sunny days of strenuous work outdoors, we took a breather with rain and very strong winds yesterday. We had done a first pass with the lawn mower, continued edging and weeding in the perennial beds and set up the cold frame for the kohlrabi, tomato and bok choy plants. I had to close the top with only a sliver open yesterday to keep the wind from doing major damage. Shads are in peak bloom and offered profuse but delicate blossoms to highlight a leisurely drive along the river between Whitefield and Bethlehem. Azaleas and flowering crabs added much bolder color among the spring green. Two loads of wood are stacked with two more to be delivered this weekend. Black flies are starting up again. I needed my bug shirt for more stationary weeding at ground level but was fine without it while I kept moving behind the lawn mower. Windy days have been helpful too, to keep the flies in motion. <strong>May</strong> 19, 2009 <strong>The</strong> thermometer showed a low of 34° early this morning and at ground level we had patches of frost. All of the plants that had been acclimating outside have spent the last two nights in the garage. On the plus side of the lingering cold front is that shad blossoms are hanging on even with wind and rain. It’s quite a beautiful sight of dainty white blossoms and russet leaves out our bow window. We’ve been able to finish stacking wood in the colder, bug-free air. <strong>The</strong> downside though is that the kohlrabi, bok choy and potatoes are ready for planting but it’s still too risky weather-wise. Hopefully it’ll begin to warm up again and less frost sensitive plants can go into the ground. <strong>May</strong> 23, 2009 Shads are done flowering, leaving center stage to the apple blossoms. Warmer days encourage blooming while intermittent cold spells allow the blossoms to linger. This seesaw weather makes for a beautiful, drawnout and profuse spring. Lilacs have opened at lower elevations, smelled long before they are seen. Hummingbirds have found the feeder. Some new bird has taken up residence by the cherry tree. It enters and leaves too quickly to identify but seems fairly small with a russet tinge. Spuds are planted, and bok choy transplants are in the ground. Asparagus is beginning to pick up growth as the soil warms. I did one more thorough weeding before the spears became too numerous. 32° is predicted for Monday night so I’ll hold off on additional planting. <strong>May</strong> 26, 2009 Another frost last night. At least it’s late enough in the season to actually warrant a national weather advisory. Our thermometer showed 32° at 4:16 but by then the sun was starting to lighten up the sky and move the temperature upwards. We covered what we could and brought in all the potted plants. It looks like we’re okay. With apple blossoms full and lilacs just beginning to open, there could have been major damage. Island Pond saw 24° and I’m sure they didn’t fare as well. Memorial Day has come and gone but planting is still on hold. I’ll need to get the kohlrabi in soon or find some bigger pots. <strong>May</strong> 28, 2009 June is just around the corner, and we’ve got the wood stove going after several weeks without it. We’re in the second day of continuous rain with a third predicted for tomorrow. Peas, kohlrabi, bok choy and asparagus are all getting a good soaking but not much warmth. Temps have not climbed above 40°. Geraniums and tuberous begonias are back inside, but I’ve left the basil and tomatoes in the slightly vented cold frame. It’s supposed to stay in the 40’s tonight. <strong>The</strong> rain barrel is almost full, which will make watering (once it’s needed again) easier to do. <strong>The</strong> little oak seedling which survived its third winter, lost all of it leaves to the frost a couple of days ago. I guess it was just too close to the ground. My neighbor suggested that lots of water might encourage a second leafing and fortunately Mother Nature is seeing to that. A few of the smaller lupine leaves got nipped as well but the basic plants look healthy enough. <strong>May</strong> 31, 2009 <strong>May</strong> is ending on a very volatile note. Strong winds all day brought alternating periods of sunshine, rain, and hail. We even lost power for a couple of hours in the afternoon. We’re under a frost alert again tonight and have brought pots in and covered the asparagus with boxes weighted down by pieces of wood. <strong>The</strong> rest of the garden is uncovered but will hopefully withstand a light frost. We did manage a bit of outside work today before the hail sent us running for cover. I startled a mamma grouse in the woods who set up a major commotion, feigning a broken wing while she squawked back to her chicks to stay hidden. I quickly moved on so that she could return to tending her family. Once again the cooler weather and strong winds helped deter the black flies as long as I kept moving. N.E.K.’s Full-Service Bicycle and Outdoor Store Personal, Quality Service On All Makes & Models Of Bikes Authorized Dealer SantaCruzbicycles.com Check out the new and clothing! 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