Preparing for Spring

With snow on the ground and the temps below freezing for over a week, it looks like winter is here to stay.  Fortunately, we were able to beat the Arctic blast and finish up a most important landscaping project that involved planting around 500 black walnut tree seeds around the perimeter of the property. These beautiful hardwoods turn a gorgeous yellow in the fall but, most importantly, would provide a sound and visual barrier from busy Norell Avenue. Additionally, they would make a significant impact for the area wildlife, providing both food, cover and nesting spots for the birds. Fingers and toes crossed that we see seedlings in the spring!!

(please click on image to embiggen) 

 

The Kindest Cut

Much appreciation goes out to Bon Bon Pond’s best buddy, Jeff, for his Herculean efforts this week.  On Tuesday and Wednesday he spent a total of 11 hours mowing the pasture.  This marked the first time that Mr. Ford, my trusty tractor, has cut the entire parcel.  Both came thru the ordeal dusty but no worse for wear.  As neighbor Bonnie exclaimed, it looks like a park!

As always, thanks for your help, and for your friendship, Jeff.

Adios Summer!

September 1^st and summer is in our rear view mirror here in the northern hemisphere. Goodbye, and good riddance—hopefully—to the stifling heat and dry air.  A cool wet fall would be most welcome but the long range forecast appears to have the St. Croix Valley stuck in its usual hot and arid weather pattern. Fingers and toes crossed for a change in the jet stream!

 

Summer 2013 was a productive time around Bon Bon Acres.  Thanks to Chad, the world’s greatest neighbor, the entire pasture was mowed, laying waste to years of thistle, goldenrod and other undesirable plant life.  Thanks to Jeff, the world’s greatest friend, nearly all trees, accept the pond’s oak savannah (winter project) and BIG box elders by the railroad tracks, were pruned in what amounted to a mammoth project that produced three gargantuan brush piles and a couple years’ worth of kindling.

After years of neglect (my bad), it’s a great feeling to know my beloved trees have finally received the care and attention they deserve.  The box elder by the road, in particular, was in serious need of trimming.  These trees have shallow root systems and thus are in danger of toppling over when lower branches are allowed to grow large.  Removing two gigantic lower limbs and performing some careful re-shaping has no doubt added years to this lovely old fella’s life. The effort took two days but the work was worth it. Plus, I owe this proud driveway sentinel a debt of gratitude for the thirty odd years he has absorbed and blocked the dust that comes off the filthy old cow path known as 120^th Street.

Canada Geese Seal of Approval

 

The resident Canada Geese seem thrilled with Chad’s mowing work.  The last few mornings they have taken to strolling thru the pasture, checking out the recently cut lawn-like expanse.  It’s a well-known fact that geese love short grass and mine are no exception.  

So, from the Bon Bon Pond waterfowl, we pass along this special message to our neighbor extraordinaire, 

A panoramic view of my geese on parade. The Red X marks their destination spot:

a lovely vista where they could look out on the newly mowed pasture.