Baby Chickens. 4.10.22

We've had these a few weeks.   So far they are healthy and growing quickly.

Sweet Cherries In Bloom. 4.10.22

 Last fall I pruned these sweet cherry trees pretty severely.  I wondered if they would bloom as well this year.  They look great!  Barring a  bad weather event, I think they will have a heavy crop with lots of sweet cherries to eat fresh, to share,  and to can.

One is Ranier and the other is Bing.  I planted them about ten or fifteen years ago.

New Growth on Refurbished, Transplanted Lavender Shrubs. 4.9.22

 This is encouraging.  The old lavender shrubs that I rescued, cleaned up, and pruned, appear to have settled in.  The green growth is new.   Original old growth is grey.

I think that if I keep weeds away and keep them pruned, they will develop into nice shrubs (actually small enough, "subshrub" might be a better term), with lots of lavender to harvest and lots of flowers for local bees of all minds.  

Making Another Garden Cap (Cadet Cap). 4.8.22

 I made some more adjustments in my cadet cap sewing.  The last caps needed a bit more tightness, so I added a headband, which helped.  I had ordered some more heavier weight interfacing for cap bills.  In error, the interfacing that I received was fusible on both sides.  I didn't think I liked that, but it turned out to make a much better bill.  I has just the right flexibility and stiffness.

I used left over chino trowser fabric as before.  It's both tough and soft and pliable.

The inside is flannel.  The inside top is quilted for scalp protection.

The cap is reversible, if I want the flannel on the outside.  There are no fabric raw edges.

It's comfortable and a perfect fit.

Sometimes I like to save the label from the source fabric, as a kind of logo.

Planting Oregano and Ratibida Seedlings Outside. 8.8.22

The oregano seedlings that I had outdoors during a frost haven't done well.  I think it was too early.  I started a second set after that, which have grown more quickly, and passed the first ones.  Here is a comparison.

Today I planted three of the cells in freshly turned soil.  I also planted the six pack of Ratibida, which I have never grown before.

It may still be too early, but I am hopeful.  Rudbeckia and Echinacea seedlings, planted previously, seem OK.