Itching for spring to start. I dont know about you harvest… I mean Alan, but I cant remember a winter as long and brutal as this. Here are some pics from the yard. The pawpaws are too far in the backyard snow and mud to get a good picture.
Frankencrab grafted with Belle de Boskoop, Freyberg, Reine des Reinettes, Calville Blanc d’Hiver
Ice storm of 2008 sent a limb down on this tree, and after cutting out the bad wood, I thought I would graft Belle de Boskoop as the new central leader, here is how it looks after 2 seasons. Lots of growth, about 8 feet in 2 seasons. Almost 6 foot in the first year!
I’m eating my last apples now as well. I had a Blenheim Orange and a Rubinette just now. Both were truly excellent if a bit soft. Rubinette turns into a very mellow rich sweet apple by now, just about perfect! The Blenheim has a bit of anise flavor, quite nice as well. One more Rubinette to eat and I’m done.
It looks like spring is finally going to come here. The apricots are starting to show pink and will be blooming within the week.
Hey mega- Loved your photos! But please explain the woodchuck bait! Is that just a way to hopefully entice them away from your fruit trees, or is it some type of trap? If trap, how does it work!?!? Just curious. Thanks
Thanks!
Woodchucks are currently searching for dens around here.
My neighbor has put me on watch since they like to burrow under his shed and chew through the floor.
Woodchucks love stinky cabbage for some reason.
I use a .22 caliber Benjamin Trail NP XL1100 here in the woods.
Ahhhh…now I get it! I deal with several 4-legged and winged problems the same way, especially those that think my free-range poultry are just a nice chicken dinner. But I must say, around here woodchucks (groundhogs to us!) are extremely wary so the only shot you’re likely to get is at a pretty long distance, and are quite tough. Those Benjamins are supposed to be great guns, but if you can take a woodchuck with an air gun I’d say that’s impressive! Good luck.
I did last year. 1 shot with a 21 grain H&N Barracuda pellet.
He did a half turn and dropped.
However the one I’m tracking this year is older and bigger. BIG, dark brown coat.
You’re right about them being very wary.
I had this one in my sights for a split second last summer, but took off like a gazelle when I whistled to get it to pop up.
