A Perfect Summer, Brings Expulsions Of Bloom |
The clematis blossoms this year nearly cover their exuberant growth of leaves. Here on this double one, I think is called Blue Light, the stunning design, and colors make me smile every time I go past it. It is amazing what the modern world has done to bring our little modest clematis of the past into these glorious specimens of doubles so lavish, extravagant, and breathtaking!
Pony Ginger and Hawk a 36 yr. old Morgan enjoy the lush pastures. |
This splendid company sends a batch of the fly predators in egg form. We wait until the tiny predators hatch out. Then they are sprinkled out in the area of horse manure to develop and eat the pesty flys that are growing in it. Because we had so few flys around one summer we decided to eliminate the program to save a few pennys one summer . Wow!! Did we ever find out the cost was well worth the coverage and protection. That summer we fought flys until frost! We also made the mistake of trying to discourage Swallows from nesting in our barn and again flys and mosquitoes pretty near drove us out! This summer we hardly see a fly in the barn and the horses are not going nuts trying to get away from them.
author unknown of this picture |
Dotty one of our good egg layers is keeping cool under the weeping pine in their outside pen. The white shelter in front is for protection also but keeps rain and the North wind off them. The chickens also run free in the gardens and surrounding woods, pastures and lawn, as they devour oodles of bugs. Wish they would learn how to weed!
We just cleaned their coop with all new pine wood chips in their inside nest boxes and flooring. It gets pretty stinky in the heat so necessary to keep it fresh and clean. They will avoid a dirty nest box and coop. One day I found a nest in one of the lower gardens where a fussy hen layed four eggs. That reminded us it was time to strip and refresh their dwelling. Takes four packaged bails of wood chips at $5.00 a bail to replenish the chips but well worth it. In one day they added one egg to the three we were getting each day in the nest boxes. . Maybe today it will go up to five!
Chicken books suggest cleaning the coop at least twice a year but we usually do it every three months to keep it fresh. Penny pinching does not help in this area either.....
Catalpa tree is in full bloom right now. It is an amazing tree with large blossoms which seed out into long graceful pods. Keeping the pods inside the house, after letting them dry completely after they fall, I save the papery looking seed and plant them in spring. I have many Catalpa trees on our 21 acres now from doing that. They are a nice size tree with heart shaped leaves which give a molted shade. It is one of my loves in life to see it each day here in the country..
Up close view of the Catalpa flower and leaf. It will drop to the ground but with one mowing of the grass, it is gone. No raking necessary. |
Black eyed Stella de Ora Daylily are starting to bloom. |
Wow! The photos are stunning. God is an amazing Creator, who loves all of His creation unconditionally. Thank you for giving Him the glory!
ReplyDeleteThe writing is descriptive, informative, interesting, breathtaking and picturesque! Thank you for sharing your talents in writing and photography. Thank you for sharing your wisdom in gardening and animal care. You are a blessing from God, whom is most pleased with how well you take care of His creation. May He say "Well done good and faithful servant." Kathy Parish. :)