August 21-22 '09

Garden
I had left the gate unlatched two weeks before, but luckily it had swung in and jammed -- so the critters had not decimated the garden as I had feared. We had 2.1" in the rain gauge, I believe all of it received the day before. We harvested tons of black eyed peas (some dried on the vine), jalapenos, a few tomatoes, lots of cherry tomatoes (volunteers), and a few large green beans. The butterfly garden was too much and Sally pulled about half of it out plus many zenias and beans (didn't see many blooms).

Pond
The culverts were dammed up 4 or 5 inches and water was running through the south one, so I called a truce with the beaver and just left it. The water was clear but dark, with only a few clumps of algae floating in the center.

Yard Hydrant
I bought a new one, deciding not to use the repaired one of Ben's since the two stand pipes I had both have the center scored (intentionally?) which would prevent you pulling up the plunger if ever needed for repair. I bought a 4' and wondered why the box was so big. It turns out it is 4' bury -- so is 6' long/tall. I'll now have to exchange it for what I should have asked for a -- a 2' bury (which is really 4').

I tested the other two hydrants down by the barn and neither one of them is draining the standpipe when shut off (put a full glass over the spigot and it should siphon it out). I then tried to blow out the drain by connecting a hose that is capped off, letting the pressure build up, and then shutting the water off. It didn't clear either one of them. I dread having to dig both of those up.

Work
Mowed all but the spring and swing and did some weed eating. Took the chainsaw up into the back pasture and began cutting and piling up downed limbs from the ice storm. What a mess. There were some big limbs from the large trees just below the bluffs: mostly walnut but also some red and white oak. I leave the walnut but take the oak that is large enough to burn in the stove. I didn't get 20% of it cleared. I want the brush hog to be able and get through. I also sprayed more sumac in the upper pasture and hope most of it will have been hit with more application.