flowers – My tiny u.p. farm

Zinnias and Garlic!

July 31, 2017jenpowell1976Leave a comment

I harvested some wonderful garlic tonight. Here are some pics of the harvest, and of the plethora of flowers in my garden.

garlic 2 — This is the second time I’ve grown garlic – last time I just bought organic garlic at the grocery store. This time I ordered actual garlic bulbs. It made a big difference.

calendula — Some Calendula and nasturtiums. The flowers I planted in the garden really look nice this year.

melons — I’ve de-purslaned the melon area – there is still some growing in between the tomatoes, and I’m sure I haven’t seen the last of it here, but it looks a lot better.

sunflower top — Here is a sunflower head. This was just under my head level, so I’m sure it will get a lot taller before this flower finishes forming.

herbs and stuff — Some herbs and cauliflower.

marigold — Marigolds! I love these, but I’m really starting to enjoy my zinnias…

More zinnias. I planted a big mix and they are really delivering this year. They are all different.

flowrs and greens — Here is a nice shot of some of the greens and flowers on one side of the garden. I’m really happy with the flowers this year.

greens and flowers — Another shot showing more flowers.

A walk around the farm …

June 17, 2017June 17, 2017jenpowell1976Leave a comment

I took a walk around the property yesterday to see what flowers are blooming. I took some pictures of what I found, and of some other features on our property. I also put in some new trees today! I hope you enjoy the photos:

purple flower — These are in our yard – My mom planted them years ago, and has told me before what they are. I can’t remember the name though. These are some of my favorite flowers that come out each year. They’re like little purple fireworks.

Daisy — Here is a daisy. These grow all over the place.

Lupines — Here are some lupines. We brought a couple over to our yard from another yard years and years ago, and it must have been that a lot of other people did too. These grow everywhere now between our house and town (about 15 miles away).

Thimble Berry Flower — Here is a Thimble Berry flower. I have seen a lot (and large) flowers this year, so I’m wondering if we’re going to have a good crop. The plants are wild and grow across the street. I’ve tried to transplant them to our yard but they have not taken. Thimble Berries are delicious.

The unused plot — Here is the back view of our Across-The-street part of our property. When I was a child, my parents had goats fenced in here, but now I call it the “fern Jungle” – I’d like to reclaim it at some point, and put some more gardens and beehives in.

The hall — Here is a better view of the “hall” – our old building. It’s just an old storage building that is starting to fall in. We are planning on someday taking it down.

the homestead — A view of our house from across the street. Our property is on both sides of the road.

044 — And here are our new trees! We pulled them from across the street today. Some were growing behind the hall in the woods, and a few were growing right next to the hall. They look a little sparse but I think with more room they may grow better.

043 — There are 6 trees – a few are spruce, and there are two that I think are Eastern Hemlock.

Hollyhocks

August 1, 2016July 30, 2016jenpowell19763 Comments

My parents planted hollyhocks several years ago, and they keep coming back every year. And each year before they bloom, I forget that they aren’t all the same color, until they bloom. They are beautiful. Here are some pictures:

hollyhocks 1 — Here are the hollyhocks – different shades of pinks and purples

hollyhocks 3 — They are all in the corner outside our shed and bathrom windows

July Flowers

July 22, 2015July 22, 2015jenpowell1976Leave a comment

A lot of things in our yard are in bloom right now – we have many different wildflowers, and I planted some flowers in the garden that are currently in bloom. Here is a tour of the flowers in our yard this month:

Here are some Snapdragons and Pansies I have growing in a barrel on our porch. I've never grown snapdragons before. They are very colorful. — Here are some Snapdragons and Pansies I have growing in a barrel on our porch. I’ve never grown snapdragons before. I like them, they are very colorful.

Here is some yarrow that is growing next to my not-yet-bloomed lilies in a barrel. We have some wild (like this one) and some that I believe my mom said she planted that comes in different colors.

I am not sure what these are, but they grow on the side of our house and they are pretty.

I'm not sure what this is, it's a wild daisy-type flower that grows in my yard. The plant is about 3-4 ft. tall, and these flowers are about the size of a quarter. — I’m not sure what this is, it’s a wild daisy-type flower that grows in my yard. The plant is about 3-4 ft. tall, and these flowers are about the size of a quarter.

Here is one of my marigolds. I have a few of these scattered in the garden, and in some flower barrels on the porch.

One of my Calendulas, now in bloom. This is the first year I've grown this, I really like the flowers. They are very bright. — One of my Calendulas, now in bloom. This is the first year I’ve grown this, I really like the flowers. They are very bright.

One of our many hollyhocks. We have a tiny hollyhock "forest" near our side door - my mom planted some years ago and they keep coming back each year. There are probably 10-12 plants, and this is one of the first to bloom this year. — One of our many hollyhocks. We have a tiny hollyhock “forest” near our side door – my mom planted some years ago and they keep coming back each year. There are probably 10-12 plants, and this is one of the first to bloom this year.

A large Mullein growing in our asparagus patch. This is a medicinal plant, and it's probably about time to harvest it - I need to do some research on the proper method of doing that. — A large Mullein growing in our asparagus patch. This is a medicinal plant, and it’s probably about time to harvest it – I need to do some research on the proper method of doing that.

These clematis grow near our rose bush. Our first spring here, I stole their support fence for a different spot, because I didn't know they were growing there. They are in an area where the grass gets really tall, so that is what is supporting it at the moment. I plan on giving it better support here soon. — These clematis grow near our rose bush. Last year was our first spring here, and I stole their support fence for a different spot, because I didn’t know they were growing there. They are in an area where the grass gets really tall, so that is what is supporting it at the moment. I plan on giving it better support here soon.

Here is my Black Eyed Susan Thunbergia, growing up my fene. — Here is my Black Eyed Susan Thunbergia, growing up my fence.

Thanks for checking out some of my flowers.

The garden is growing…

July 12, 2015July 12, 2015jenpowell1976Leave a comment

What a difference two weeks makes! I love watching my plants grow – it’s nice to look back at pictures of what it looked like a few weeks ago.

The left shows my garden on June 24th, and the right is my garden today, 7/12/15.

My plants are doing really well in the garden.

Here is my corn. The older batch, shown here, is just over a foot tall now. I have some on the other side of the garden that I planted 2 weeks later, when I noticed that the original seeds I tried to plant didn't take. Those are about 6 inches or so now. — Here is my corn. The older batch, shown here, is just over a foot tall now. I have some on the other side of the garden that I planted 2 weeks later, when I noticed that the original seeds I tried to plant didn’t take. Those are about 6 inches or so now.

Here are my brandywine and beefsteak tomatoes.

Here are my black krim tomatoes. I have not tried these, they are supposed to be an almost black / purple tomato that tastes really good.

A sunflower that somehow ended up in the corn rows. I don't care, I love sunflowers. I must have dropped a seed while walking in the garden. — A sunflower that somehow ended up in the corn rows. I don’t care, I love sunflowers. I must have dropped a seed while walking in the garden.

A mystery squash. Could be a zucchini, yellow squash, or acorn. I'm not sure yet. I lost track of where they were planted with my efforts of re-seeding in empty spots when seedlings died. — A mystery squash. Could be a zucchini, yellow squash, or acorn. I’m not sure yet. I lost track of where they were planted with my efforts of re-seeding in empty spots when seedlings died.

A calendula plant - it's forming a flower. I'm excited, I haven't grown these before. — A calendula plant – it’s forming a flower. I’m excited, I haven’t grown these before.

More sunflowers. These ones were planted on purpose. The taller plants on the lower left of this picture are Amaranth.

My beans are doing really well, and are starting to climb the strings I put in to support them.

Here is one of the pansies I put in amongst the vegetables. This one has really pretty coloring.

I really enjoy seeing my plants get bigger. Thanks for taking a look.

What’s happening in our yard – June photo tour

June 26, 2015June 24, 2015jenpowell1976Leave a comment

Lupines - we have these growing near our mailbox, and they are growing across the street as well. When I was a kid, there were some at only one tiny spot in the area I live in. Now they are in ditches along the road all over the place. — Lupines – we have these growing near our mailbox, and they are growing across the street as well. When I was a kid, there were some at only one tiny spot in the area I live in. Now they are in ditches along the road all over the place.

Here's a new flower - I don't remember these from last year. I don't know what it is but it's pretty. — Here’s a new flower – I don’t remember these from last year. I don’t know what it is but it’s pretty.

A purple flower. It reminds me of a balloon flower (maybe that is what this is.)

Our pink peonies. My parents planted these years ago and they are still going strong.

These barrels are on our porch. Last year I tried to grow beets and carrots here, and nasturtiums. The Nasturtiums did ok, but my son found out they were edible and kept eating them. I planted a bunch of different flowers in them this year, along with some herbs.

Here are some more barrels, just off our porch. My mom planted lilies in them, and they've slowly stopped producing. We got one nice lily last year. I divided them and put them in only one barrel (the right one here) and the left barrel has other flowers. Echinacea and black eyed susan and others. — Here are some more barrels, just off our porch. My mom planted lilies in them, and they’ve slowly stopped producing. We got one nice lily last year. I divided them and put the big bulbs in only one barrel (the right one here) – there is also a yarrow growing in it; the left barrel has other flowers: Echinacea and black eyed susan and others.

Here is some lemon balm growing in one of the barrels on the porch. It smells so good.

Here is our back yard. The leaves have filled out on the trees.

Our side yard with the rose bush. The roses are blooming now. At the nearest post, I have a wisteria planted. It's about 5 inches tall, and doing well. — Our side yard with the rose bush. The roses are blooming now. At the nearest post, I have a wisteria planted. It’s about 5 inches tall, and doing well. It’s inside the little round cage you can see at the base of the post. I don’t know if deer eat wisteria, and don’t want to chance it.

Some pretty flowers along our house. Wild Daisies and some kind of yellow flower - not sure if that was planted or if it's wild. — Some pretty flowers along our house. Wild Daisies and some kind of yellow flower – not sure if that was planted or if it’s wild. The white/green variegated leaf plants are “snow on the mountain” – they have taken over a lot of the flower beds and we are trying to eradicate it. It’s even growing at the edge of the woods now in spots.

Here is my son's tiny garden. He wanted his own space, so I gave him some seedlings to plant. — Here is my son’s tiny garden. He wanted his own space, so I gave him some seedlings to plant. He’s got tomatoes, brussel sprouts, and flowers. And Mint. He’s excited about the mint because he can eat it right from the garden.

Here are my chickens in their muddy nasty run. I'm going to have to fix that, possibly sooner than I was planning. It's driving me bananas. — Here are my chickens in their muddy nasty run. I’m going to have to fix that, possibly sooner than I was planning. It’s driving me bananas.

This is my tiny rooster. As he is growing, his comb is getting wonkier. The back portion is attached to his head off-center, which adds even more to the floppiness of it. He's been really mean to the other chicks lately. Maybe they make fun of his goofy comb. — This is my tiny rooster. As he is growing, his comb is getting wonkier. The back portion is attached to his head off-center, which adds even more to the floppiness of it. He’s been really mean to the other chicks lately. Maybe they make fun of his goofy comb.

Here is my white brahma, which I actually think is a "Splash Brahma" - I love his/her coloring. — Here is my white brahma, which I actually think is a “Splash Brahma” – I love his/her coloring.

Here's one of the blue spruce I planted this spring. It's about 5 inches tall. It's going to take a really, really, really long time to get as big as I want it - I have it in the front yard as a screen to give us privacy. It's not doing its job very well. Someday... — Here’s one of the blue spruce I planted this spring. It’s about 5 inches tall. It’s going to take a really, really, really long time to get as big as I want it – I have it in the front yard as a screen to give us privacy. It’s not doing its job very well. Someday…

Here is one of my elderberry trees. I have two (you need two to get fruit so they can cross pollinate). I have put this near my blue spruce so that I actually get the screen I want in a more timely fashion. These are fast-growing.

Here are some of the remaining forget-me-nots. We had tons of these earlier in the year, as splashes of blue all around the woods and the edges of the yard. When I was a child, these only were growing at a camp two houses behind our house. (We have two camps behind us, it was at the back one.) I moved back and discovered they grow all over our yard now. I love them. — Here are some of the remaining forget-me-nots. We had tons of these earlier in the year, as splashes of blue all around the woods and the edges of the yard. When I was a child, these only were growing at a camp two houses behind our house. I moved back and discovered they grow all over our yard now.

Here is a giant mullein plant growing in our supposed-to-be asparagus patch. Mullein is a great medicinal plant so I'm letting it stay. This thing is about 3 feet tall right now. The big leaves are 1 ft long. — Here is a giant mullein plant growing in our supposed-to-be asparagus patch. Mullein is a great medicinal plant so I’m letting it stay. This thing is about 3 feet tall right now. The big leaves are 1 ft long.

I hope you enjoyed my photo tour. I like my yard, and watching the changes it goes through during the warm months.

A hot day in May

May 8, 2015May 7, 2015jenpowell19762 Comments

It got to 89 degrees on Thursday here – I wandered around the yard taking pictures. Here’s a nice photo tour of our yard – Spring is in full swing. It was 89, and next week they are saying we are supposed to get some snow showers – I think (hope!) it will just be mixed with rain and not actually stick to the ground. We’ll see; it’s the U.P. after all. Sigh…

Our yard is greening up nicely. We need to get the mower out soon.

More daffodils in the woods behind our house.

This is the mystery plant from my Leeks post last week - they are now getting yellow flowers. I still don't know what these are - if you know, please leave me a comment. — This is the mystery plant from my Leeks post last week – they are now getting yellow flowers. I still don’t know what these are – if you know, please leave me a comment.

Another one of the mystery flowers - they grow in the woods. — Another one of the mystery flowers – they grow in the woods.

Our willow tree in the front yard. The trees are all getting buds now.

My garlic is doing well - I planted this last fall. This is my first time growing garlic. — My garlic is doing well – I planted this last fall. This is my first time growing garlic.

This is supposed to be an asparagus patch. My mom kept it as one for a long time, but it stopped producing. It's surrounded by narcissus, which are not blooming yet, and need to be divided. So far my asparagus that I started last year has not appeared again, although we have a rhubarb (on the right) and a large mullein growing here (on the left). — This is supposed to be an asparagus patch. My mom kept it as one for a long time, but it stopped producing. I replanted it last year. It’s surrounded by narcissus, which are not blooming yet, and need to be divided. So far my asparagus has not appeared again, although we have a rhubarb (on the right) and a large mullein growing here (on the left).