Growing Things On A Rainy Day!

 It has been more than a week since I have taken the time to write.  It has been a very busy time.  

Today is a lovely rainy day.  I just took this photo of the GreenStalk vertical garden on the back deck.  I love the lilac colored planter.  I suggested to Dear One that it might be a great spring gift but then I thought about the fact that I have not really used the produce from the last seasons so I guess I will see if I can make one GreenStalk successful then add a lilac one next year....

 

There we go, though I have absolutely no idea why there is no background.  I don't really mind since there is a lot of "stuff" on the deck, though the picture I actually thought I was going had a lovely view of the rain-wetted decking.  Oh, well.

Here is the GreenStalk with wax beans looking good; some basil really going to town. The strawberry plants on the top layer are doing well, too.

There are some tiny kale plants in the second layer but they are totally invisible here.  There are very sturdy marigolds that are volunteers from last year, too.  They look promising.  You can just barely see a few green leaves on the right side of the second layer.

When I went out to investigate the garden this afternoon I noticed that the deck railing planter where I had started a packet of kale seeds earlier had been devastated...probably by the squirrels that visit from time to time to see if they can pick up something just lying around for them to steal.  Those hummers.  Well, as Alissa says, "Squirrels need to eat, too."  Yes. they do.  I am so sorry they scarfed down the last of the kale seedlings, though.  I intended to transplant them shortly.

Today I have been wondering how to use the basil this year.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

Squirrels: 4,621. Humans: 0. Well Maybe Possibly-1

 We put up a bird feeder on the deck a few weeks ago. I think I mentioned it and was so excited about all the different birds coming to feed.  That was then.  This is now.

We have moved the bird feeder many times.  Each time we move it, we think we have moved it beyond the reach of the three squirrels who feel it is their personal granary.  So annoying.  We want to feed the birds.  Well, as Alissa says, "The squirrels need to eat, too." Yes, they do.  HOWEVER!!  The birds don't seem to get a chance at the seeds nor the suet with seeds inside.  I think the bird feeder is so cute.  It has a spot for suet bricks at each end and plenty of room for seeds inside, easily gotten to by removing the roof.

As you can see, even though we moved the feeder  far away from the chairs, the railings, and the big garden bins, the squirrels have figured out how to ascend the food house and fill their bellies.  We have not seen them do it, but there they are!

SO...ONE MORE TIME.  We moved the feeder on its shepherds crook into the front yard to a position outside our dining room window.  This morning, for the first time in the three days since we moved it, while we were eating breakfast, we saw one lonely bird having a gay old time eating to his heart's content.  Dear One said he hoped the bird would pass the word along.  II hope so, too!  I am looking forward to breakfast tomorrow!