Marie KungTook off some leaf mulch layers over the garlics about two weeks ago. Put a layer or two back today. Here comes a freeze. #gardening #NorthernIllinois
Michael / Chgowiz 🎲🎲Maybe I'll hold off on planting the spinach and lettuce a few days...
cetanSandhill Cranes over the house earlier this week. #northernillinois #birds #sandhillcrane #migration #flight
Greetings from an above 50 F February weekend here in #NorthernIllinois. Had it on the schedule to prune the pear tree anyway, but I sure wasn't expecting to not need a jacket.
The birds were loud. A single bee flew by. Cold is back in the forecast for next weekend but for now, I kicked off #gardening season 6.
Snow keeps falling... so quiet and peaceful.
First major snowfall of 25/26 Winter... and it's just getting started.
Last harvest of 2025!
They say to leave parsnips in for awhile after the frosts. We've had a few frosty mornings, so I thought mid-November was a good time to go get them.
A good haul! Much better than I've done in the past. I think my soil-regeneration efforts - cover crops, rotation and compost - are helping!
Now on to blanching and freezing these lovelies.
#Gardening #Harvest #Preserving #NorthernIllinois #MidwestUS #Zone5a
@redcrew One of the nice things about the increasing #NativePlants market is having a selection of spring plants available at the end of the season. I added some marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris) and nodding onions (Allium cernuum).
For the leaves, I also use them to mulch. A lot of it gets stored in various ways to feed the #compost through the next year. #gardening #NorthernIllinois
Activity from an almost-70F mid-November Saturday: emptied and spread the rest of the finish compost, finally put the tulips and final garlics in, finished planting the clearance #NativePlants...
Talked to north neighbor about using leaves from that side (already getting leaves from south neighbor), harvested the fallen leaves from the front yard. I don't clear the back so I really need all the leaves I can get. #gardening #NorthernIllinois
Now it is a mid-40F Sunday. Time to head outside and put the tools away.