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A Walk around the Yard
With any new plantings you never know how they will do, its so exciting to see everything doing well. The strawberries are greener if not quite filling in yet. Apple trees are putting on some new growth and the smaller of the tart cherries is filling in. The blueberry bushes aren’t putting much foliage on but the coloring looks good. I wasn’t sure how the raspberry bushes would do but they are looking great.
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Hunt for the elusive Waterfall
Elaine and I went on a Waterfall Hike with the boys up the creek ~ 700 feet from the house. Although we didn’t make it to the waterfall as it required crossing the creek it was still a great time. The boys loved playing in the water and we found a great swimming area that we’ll be visiting when the water level is low and it is a little warmer. I’ll have to wander the creek alone to see if there is a good way to get the whole family to the waterfall. I wonder if we could talk the town into allowing us to build a walking path up the creek…
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Makings of a Garden
The previous owners of our house had a 25′ x 50′ garden area that they had let grow over in the last couple years. To get it back in shape we enlisted the help of Elaine’s Dad Brian (an 8th generation dairy farmer). If you want to do something right bring in the experience. Can’t wait to see what we can grow this year. Although we are going to keep it small as I don’t want to overload us with Tree Care, Gardening and Chickens… not to mention all the other projects we want to do the house. Lets find out if our thumbs are green!
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Kids and Tractors
Is anything more fun than playing with a Tractor when you are a Kid? Looking at August I can’t think of something he enjoys more.
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First Ever Apple Blossoms
Wasn’t expecting any blossoms this year since we just planted the 3 year old whips 2 months ago but the Red Rome Beauty decided to blossom anyway. Aptly named tree.
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Raspberry Bushes going in.
Brian was nice enough to bring up some White Raspberry shoots this weekend .. Planting Time! I’m thinking the northern border makes perfect sense as it doesn’t get much foot traffic! In total there are 7 connected plants we’ll see how they do. Haven’t done my research on Raspberries yet so we’ll see if we get a yield this year! Thanks! Now I just need some Purple and Red Raspberries, Blackberries…. lets not get a head of ourselves now Matthew.
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They’re Alive, Alive!
Buds, Buds and more Buds! Trees are taking root and we’re starting to see new growth… so exciting!
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What Home is complete without a Chicken Coop?
April found Elaine building her Chicken Coop! Brian was up to lend a hand as it sure is a big task building a 8×14 enclosure keeping the chickens safe from the foxes we’ve seen around the yard. I’m just an extra pair of hands on this project can’t wait to see how it turns out. A little work here and there in the weeks to come.
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Out with the Old…
Trees are coming!! In under a week at that… we need to clear the southern border of deer food a.k.a Cedar Trees fast. Nothing like a brisk April morning for chopping and de-limbing some trees. Luckily Mike had a chain saw as that is one tool I don’t like having around the house. I’d be tempted to use it on smaller jobs and I find a healthy level of fear/caution is essential when working with chain saws. Don’t want to become over familiar and have an accident. Elaine didn’t want to be left out so she started prepping the boards for the soon-to-be Chicken Coop. Year One of Phoenix Ridge…
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Phoenix Ridge
August 2016, Elaine and I bought our perfect home for the family. And knowing us that means projects! and so welcome to Phoenix Ridge Orchard and Gardens, if all goes well 🙂 Spring of 2017 we planted 6 Apple Trees, 7 Blue Berry Bushes, 3 Cherry Trees and 2 Hanson Cherry Bushes as well as some strawberries, why not right? I’m hoping to add plum, pear and nectarines trees and maybe a smattering of blackberry, raspberry around the acre. After some research I decided to buy the plants online from Stark Bro‘s Nurseries & Orchards. There were a couple nurseries here in Central New York that I could of gotten them from…
