May - The North Star Monthly

20 MAY 2010 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY
Walden Hill Journal with Jeff & Ellen Gold
May 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.
May 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.
May 8, 2009
The 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.
The 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. The 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.
May 9, 2009
Enjoyed our first garden asparagus.
There 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. The 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.
May 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.
May 19, 2009
The 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. The
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.
May 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.
May 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.
May 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. The
rain barrel is almost full, which will make watering
(once it’s needed again) easier to do.
The 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.
May 31, 2009
May 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. The 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.
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