Still winter here...

Some notes...

In the past 7 days we've had three significant snow storms. High winds in-between each storm. I'm STILL at least 10 days from getting on the soil. I have sprinkler lines to run... and...

I still can't start my tractor. Quite puzzling, as I have good spark, and it still won't start even with starter fluid. It could be a head gasket. I don't know.

I'm giving a How to Grow seminar at Town and Country Gardens on April 9th at 7:00pm. If you are in the area and are reading this, please stop in! I will be giving a presentation, doing Q&A, and giving out free seeds.

Home, and nothing to do...

Well, I'm at one of my weeks off, in this slow economy. I would like to work outside, but...

Yesterday we had rain all day, and today we have 4 inches of thick new snow on the ground. This will melt quickly, but any hope I had of getting out on the tractor is pushed out another week or two.

Oh, and I still can't start my tractor. Timing set, points new, new plugs last year, new coil, battery good. It's really strange. I did pick up some Autolite 437's, I'm reading that the 216's that I have in there now is a "cool" plug, and I need the hot one. Also, a carb rebuild kit is in the mail. I guess this water will give me more time to figure it out.

Good Stuff

I picked up some old pallets this morning for free. These are great for constructing wind fences around the patch. I stand them on their side, and stake them up. As the plant grows, the fence can be moved. 

I think I have a real pumpkin grower in Elise. Of my five kids, she is the only one who has shown an interest in this hobby. I guess this is a "one of a city, two of a family" sort of pursuit. Anyway, this morning at breakfast I said, "So, for your plant this year, do you want one like my 779 from last year (pale, but heavy and solid) or do you want one that will be a nice pretty orange?" She (10 years old) looked me in the eye and said firmly, "Whatever gives me the best chance of beating ---- at the fair next year!" 

I think she's getting it...

It's almost time

The weather has been extremely nice, but cold, the last two days. Bright sunshine, and you can tell that the sun is much higher in the sky. It's warmer when you stand in it. Even if this nice sunshine continues, it's going to be another week at least before I can get into the patch and do any meaningful pre-season prep. I need to run some sprinkler lines, get more loads of compost, maybe some sand, and then I finally need to get the tractor running. Wow.

For anyone in Pocatello, I'm doing a Giant Pumpkin seminar at Town and Country Gardens on April 9th.

I am SOOOOOO ready to ditch the coat, and the jacket, and put them somewhere where I can't find them, and be done with them until at least late October!

Snow, snow, snow, snow, snow..................

"It's beginning to look a lot --- like --- Christmas!"

Sigh.

At least nobody will be whining about "not enough water" this year.