|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starling
Half-elven
Jul 3 2015, 10:26pm
Post #26 of 74
(2983 views)
Shortcut
|
Or Silvereyes. One of my favourite garden birds. Technically, they are Australians, but I don't hold that against them.
|
|
|
Greenwood Hobbit
Valinor
Jul 3 2015, 10:27pm
Post #27 of 74
(2978 views)
Shortcut
|
It's a grumbly old night here...
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
there are heavy thundery showers forecast (11.23pm) and it's starting to rain now. The spell of hot weather we've been enjoying (round here it's a novelty) has built up some busy skies! I'm on watering duty for my friend's garden while they are away for a fortnight, so it looks like Mother Nature is helping me out tonight. Saluting Fiesta Friday and the 4thJuly weekend with the last slurp of a bttle of 'Lovestruck' premium amber ale by Madness Brewing Company, London. It has a little picture of Punch and Judy on the label. Cheers, all!
|
|
|
Brethil
Half-elven
Jul 3 2015, 11:44pm
Post #29 of 74
(2962 views)
Shortcut
|
Coffee cup that large sounds perfect to me!!!!!! //
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
|
|
|
Brethil
Half-elven
Jul 3 2015, 11:45pm
Post #30 of 74
(2966 views)
Shortcut
|
I will have to Google them, as needless to say they aren't in my bird book.
|
|
|
Brethil
Half-elven
Jul 3 2015, 11:51pm
Post #31 of 74
(2960 views)
Shortcut
|
very easy care and easy harvest because of height. They are all essentially a limb sport (mutation) of Macintosh on very dwarfing and precocious rootstock (M27), so all of the Urban variety (and just about all columnars I believe) have that Mac-snappy-tart taste to varying degrees. Not a very complex apple. So that limits the varietal a bit, and as time goes on people will likely breed some more variety and tastes into them. I'm lucky, I like a crisp snappy apple so they work for me and green apples are very bird safe as they just don't see them. I think in ground, as they can be containerized but always do better in ground. I second your hopes! I am looking forward to Sunday, especially since its supposed to be beautiful here. May rain here tomorrow though I am seeing. Enjoy the holiday, Altaira!
|
|
|
Brethil
Half-elven
Jul 3 2015, 11:54pm
Post #32 of 74
(2958 views)
Shortcut
|
Perhaps in one of those AP classes, he could to the math to figure out just exactly how many trees one can fit into one's yard.
Yet, correct. I probably need that equation. * smarty pants. * Enjoy the holiday weekend, Kim! Hope its nice by you - have something tasty-nice-River-drink-strawberry-style for me! Oh and check this out: did some blueberry picking today!
(This post was edited by Brethil on Jul 4 2015, 12:00am)
|
|
|
Starling
Half-elven
Jul 4 2015, 12:03am
Post #33 of 74
(2951 views)
Shortcut
|
Have a look at that link in my post above
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
There is plenty of info in there. They are absolute darlings, I love them to bits.
|
|
|
Ethel Duath
Half-elven
Jul 4 2015, 12:20am
Post #34 of 74
(2948 views)
Shortcut
|
No, my garden has not been invaded by ancient hominids. I just can't see your link to the trees somehow (has it disappeared?). I have to report that my cherry tree had the biggest yield in years, and probably the second or third best ever. I think the dry conditions helped with pollination, plus for the first time, we actually used Real Tree Fertilizer at the right time, instead of way too late. I've been giving them away like zucchini and will have to dry what's left. And my raspberry bushes are going nuts (fruits, I mean). Hope all your stuff is doing great! I'm having sume fungus problems with some veggies, but the fruit makes up for it. If you can't find space for all your new trees, you can plant some up here . . . Congrats to your son! So many doors will be open for him. Especially if he speaks to them in Elvish. Happy 4rth to all!!!
|
|
|
Ataahua
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jul 4 2015, 12:30am
Post #35 of 74
(2943 views)
Shortcut
|
I don't want to encourage the birds around here to eat fruit
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
as I get enough damage on my fruit trees as it is. (Although I find the ants are more nibbly than birds, to be honest.) Along with fantails, I'm more likely to see tui and kereru here, and hear the occasional ruru. (I'd love to see one sometime.)
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..." Dwarves: "Pretty rings..." Men: "Pretty rings..." Sauron: "Mine's better." "Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak. Ataahua's stories
(This post was edited by Ataahua on Jul 4 2015, 12:32am)
|
|
|
Brethil
Half-elven
Jul 4 2015, 12:36am
Post #36 of 74
(2934 views)
Shortcut
|
Hmm. Maybe try some sulfur on the veggies (its food safe and organic). Bonide makes one I think, can get it in big box stores. Even neem oil may help a bit. Great news on cherry crop! Whatever you did, do it again next year! Dry is so much better for cherry. Less rot, less cracking. I hope to have a crop on my Carmine Jewel in two years from now. Been debating a Sandra Rose or White Gold sweet cherry on ultra-dwarf rootstock in a container... I didn't post a link yet. The new trees are far too spindly for pics until I have impressive 'After' shots! They are definitely on the Charlie-Brown-tree side.
|
|
|
Brethil
Half-elven
Jul 4 2015, 12:36am
Post #37 of 74
(2932 views)
Shortcut
|
I will have a read. They are lovely looking birds.
|
|
|
Brethil
Half-elven
Jul 4 2015, 12:39am
Post #38 of 74
(2930 views)
Shortcut
|
I don't want to encourage the birds around here to eat fruit as I get enough damage on my fruit trees as it is. (Although I find the ants are more nibbly than birds, to be honest.) Same here. I have to net and bag as it is. Tanglefoot or electrical tape sticky side out around the trunk can stop the ants. Most of them anyways. You never stop ALL of them.
|
|
|
Dame Ioreth
Tol Eressea
Jul 4 2015, 1:47am
Post #40 of 74
(2924 views)
Shortcut
|
They remind me of White-eyed Vireos
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
Or maybe White-eyed Vireos without their stage make-up and costume on. They are striking at the feeder when they turn suddenly because of the eyes. They also have a very pretty song. I've only managed to attract them once though.
_ Heed WBA when building blanket forts. ITLs don't get enough FAS. :) Where there's life there's hope, and need of vittles. ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
|
|
|
Kimi
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jul 4 2015, 6:17am
Post #41 of 74
(2906 views)
Shortcut
|
We often have small flocks of them. At the moment we have a colony finishing up this year's crabapples (they're most welcome - I've already gathered enough for jelly). We're quite well-off for bird visitors (must fill in the survey...) Regularly seen/heard: fantails waxeyes tui kereru harriers turkeys pheasants mallards paradise shelducks goldfinches sparrows swallows (seasonal) kingfishers (seasonal) starlings yellowhammers thrushes blackbirds mynahs magpies I'm fairly sure I left something off. :) We cheerfully share our orchard crop with them (but we net the berries, or we'd get none at all).
The Passing of Mistress Rose My historical novels Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there? - A Room With a View
(This post was edited by Kimi on Jul 4 2015, 6:23am)
|
|
|
Kimi
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jul 4 2015, 6:22am
Post #42 of 74
(2907 views)
Shortcut
|
In a purely literal sense. :) It's damp and chilly today, but we have a roaring fire. We made a batch of quince paste today, and Mr Kimi made bread, so the house smells lovely. For those who have a holiday weekend, enjoy! For the rest of us: wishing you a pleasant (albeit shorter) weekend.
The Passing of Mistress Rose My historical novels Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there? - A Room With a View
|
|
|
Starling
Half-elven
Jul 4 2015, 6:26am
Post #43 of 74
(2905 views)
Shortcut
|
is one of my favourite things in the world.
|
|
|
Kimi
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jul 4 2015, 6:49am
Post #44 of 74
(2905 views)
Shortcut
|
Fortunately our quince tree bears well, and we have making the paste down to a fine art now.
The Passing of Mistress Rose My historical novels Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there? - A Room With a View
|
|
|
Elberbeth
Tol Eressea
Jul 4 2015, 3:50pm
Post #45 of 74
(2882 views)
Shortcut
|
I have to warn you that Vancouver, although beautiful, is a pretty expensive place to live, but there is usually affordable student housing at both UBC and SFU.
"There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark."
|
|
|
Elberbeth
Tol Eressea
Jul 4 2015, 3:52pm
Post #46 of 74
(2887 views)
Shortcut
|
I have made quince jelly before
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
but have never heard of quince paste. Describe it, please. Always glad to learn something new.
"There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark."
|
|
|
Greenwood Hobbit
Valinor
Jul 4 2015, 4:54pm
Post #47 of 74
(2880 views)
Shortcut
|
with that ring around the eye they look like they've indulged in too many marathon viewings!
|
|
|
Kimi
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jul 4 2015, 8:22pm
Post #48 of 74
(2868 views)
Shortcut
|
Just a small square, as it's very rich. It's like a very thick jam, cooked to the point of setting firmly enough to handle. The quince flavour intensifies, and you get the sweet-sour contrast. I've also made fig paste and pear paste, and plan to make damson paste some time. All delicious in their own way.
The Passing of Mistress Rose My historical novels Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there? - A Room With a View
|
|
|
Starling
Half-elven
Jul 4 2015, 8:48pm
Post #49 of 74
(2867 views)
Shortcut
|
I found a yummy one at my local supermarket deli, but had to stage an intervention on myself and cease purchasing it as I was consuming vast quantities of it with heaps of cheese.
|
|
|
Kimi
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jul 4 2015, 10:05pm
Post #50 of 74
(2858 views)
Shortcut
|
we had such a heavy pear crop that (as well as eating vast quantities of fresh ones) I bottled them, dehydrated some, and tried pear paste for the first time. I used lots of spices, as the flavour is so mild (unlike quinces), and it really was very nice. A smaller crop this year, so no pear paste. :)
The Passing of Mistress Rose My historical novels Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there? - A Room With a View
|
|
|
|
|