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| Winter wheat as of July 4 |
A couple of years ago, Mike decided to discontinue mowing the area behind the farmhouse. We designated it as an orchard and planted apple trees. As time went on, we began to identify weeds, encouraging those we deemed desirable, and we continue to plant drought-tolerant perennials.
The National Wildlife Federation sponsors a program to certify wildlife habitat (here). Complete a simple form, give them a $20 donation, and your habitat is enrolled in the program. It looks like you don’t get much for your money except the knowledge that your donation helps the programs of the Wildlife Federation to improve habitat for wildlife.
“Isn’t this the silliest thing,” I asked myself. “Why should I donate when we already do what we can to encourage wildlife and pollinators through our plantings?”
But
then, as we prepared for the family reunion over Memorial Day, something clicked
with me and I wanted to officially join. I filled out the form and paid the
$20. Then I paid a lot more and bought the official sign.
Before the reunion weekend, Mike installed the sign for me in the orchard / meadow. Then, using the app on his phone, we identified the more outstanding weeds and I made markers. I don’t think anyone noticed or cared, which I totally expected, but I enjoyed doing it, and I will continue to do it.
Now the Wildlife Federation has a new logo and a new sign. Wouldn’t you know it? Well, maybe I’ll buy one next year.
Mike
and I were up by 6:30 this morning. We did a half hour session of yoga and then walked to
the mailbox and back (two miles round trip). The sun was already hot as we
walked. Back at the house, I watered the raised beds and the fruit trees. Then
together we swathed the Lapins sweet cherry tree. The cherries are in various
stages of ripeness, and the birds are already nibbling them.
The
excessive heat alert is now in effect from the 6th through the 12th.
Brother Chuck wonders how this hot spell will affect the grain. We’ll see.
It’s 86 right now (2:30 p.m. on Mike's little shed) and 71 in the house. We stay quite cool inside if we open the house in the evening and close by 9:00 in the morning. KW
2 comments:
I think I noticed the sign and we talked about it briefly. You told me you bought it. I think it's fun.
I think it's fun, too, Hallie. It's just that it's up to the individual to honor the commitment. There will not be a test, but it fits with what we have undertaken to do here as stewards of the land.
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