Spring 2014 thaw

The pond is filling:

One of the apple trees:

Our aronia plants were cleaned out by the native rabbits as they clipped every plant. But there are signs of hope as buds are visible:

We invested a lot of time planting last fall and putting up fencing to keep the deer out, but I didn't add enough protection against the smaller critters. Deer are known to pull these plants out of the ground and the rabbits do a very good job of "pruning" small plants.We're encouraged that the aronias will respond well after this cold winter.

Someone is tired of winter

Director of Early Warning Services, Buck, is tired of winter.

The Mrs' faithful companion usually likes the snow and often shoves his nose deep into the powder to pick up a scent. Now, he looks like he can't wait for spring.

Looking at -8 tonight, -15 tomorrow night and 3-5 inches of snow on Saturday.

Spring planting - getting ready

In the crisper tray of a basement refrigerator is where I have acorns, chestnuts and a few other seeds, some of which were stored in bags of peat moss. While always in the back of my mind, I haven't made a habit of peaking in our stash.

On Saturday I discovered that a good majority of the red and black oak acorns had germinated:

Now it's time to think about getting them in the ground soon, except the ground is frozen down to 24". The next best thing is to put them in dirt in planters. I was impressed with the star trays that we received the aronia plants in, and I purchased a few for this purpose. The trays that came with the aronias are currently in the garden filled with white oak acorns (with hardware cloth covering to keep the critters out.)

I put the nuts in a peat moss/sand mix and gave them a good soaking. These are placed under a south facing window near a heat vent.

Since nearly all of the chestnuts germinated as well, some with an inch plus root, I planted some of those in a tray and a few extra pots. Those 32oz drink cups from the convenient store work very well for planters. 

Potted this past weekend: 45 red oak, 38 black oak, 52 chestnut.

Wednesday Wildlife, 2/5/14

While working on the deck, I widened a hole in the ice and found this huge example of what's growing in the pond:

But wait, like any fish story, the fisherman must always come clean:

This bluegill was only about an inch long and probably came from one of last summer's broods.

I measured 10-12 inches of ice before the temperature drop at the first of the year and provided me with the opportunity for working on deck on the pond.

Additionally: for more information on pond management, go to Iowa DNR's Iowa Farm Ponds

2012 devastated the fish population after about 18 months of under-average moisture. I came upon the pond in August of that year and it was only a couple of feet deep with a couple of dozen dead bass that I used to fertilize the walnut trees.

2013 Spring rains filled thousands of gallons of water and the level went from nearly empty to 10 feet deep after two major rains. We added some 2 inch bass last fall and hopefully they will rapidly grow feeding off the bluegill. The pond is down some after another dry summer and fall but we look forward to next summer and throwing line. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with good but not drenching rains. Last spring, a couple of storms had me very nervous. 

This winter's work on the pond

This is what I've been working on this winter:

With low water and 10-12 inches of ice in the middle the pond, I've had a chance to get some repairs on the deck in the middle of the pond and on the deck leading out. I added a ladder for when we putter around in the paddle boat, we can climb up and fish in the shade.

A little more work and I might be satisfied. We've had good weather (low winds) on several weekends and I've had some productive work. I can stand temperatures in the low teens if there are light winds, but even mid 40's can bring on a chill if the winds are in the 20-30 mph range.

I wired some old tires together to give the bass something to float beside.

 

So long as I fulfill my promise to myself to have one day a month for recreation, these days of work during the winter will be worth it. I need to add another cedar from the ditch for more habitat and a few more braces before I can be satisfied though.

Portable sawmills

I thought David would appreciate these:

It doesn't look like the Farmall C is powering the band, but Grampa and team were captured on film in March of 1954.

Move up 41 years and a crew using a Woodmizer bandsaw while my dad inspects the logs:

I must be getting nostalgic in my old age.

Headed to -20 at the homestead

But at least my water pump isn't frozen:

Grandpa found his pump frozen during the winter of 71. Grandma, in a safe warm house, chronicled him carrying a bucket down the hill to gather water in the creek in a series of photos. He would have been 72 at the time.

1971, Iowa, no running water in their house and I never heard them complain about it, but I imagine they did on days like this.

One of the neighbors thought I was crazy for working on the deck during the past couple of weekends of mid-twenties. Since I can't stand on the pond in the summer, this time of year is my only opportunity.

I think of my grandparents and their situation 40 years ago, and I think I can handle carrying 2x6s up the hill to the pond. Grandpa had a much steeper hill to carry his load.

Wednesday Wildlife, 1/1/2014

Predator and Prey edition:

Looks like a bounty on coyotes is in order.

In late October I discovered a doe dead in the hay field. I thought the neighbor's dogs cleaned the carcass, but now I'm confident they weren't the only carnivores picking the bones of the deer. 

Wednesday Wildlife, 12/18/13

While not technically wildlife, these tracks display the various animals around the pond. The neighbor's son has been trapping the raccoons and I placed a bounty on any groundhog or muskrat he captures. I may be in the hole before end of the year.

6 days to Winter? It's already here

15 degrees on December 15th

I have this to look forward to in four months (taken last April 20th)

Even though the temperature was in the low teens, it didn't seem that cold with barely a wind. This time of year is for repairs and planning for spring planting. This week, I put up trail cameras that was purchased at a good Black Friday price from Scheels. I'll post if anything decent is captured since all I have now is my goofy face triggering the shutter.