It’s been a while since I last wrote about the goings-on in my backyard. It’s usually wildlife or ticks or something. Last year, we had a lot of birds; this year, not so many, but the Catbird is still here. We’ve got more bunnies, which is what happens when you find you’ve got at least two. There are always more somewhere and more on the way.
White Dog Labs is pleased to report that after a hectic spring during which we’d find up to five or six of those blood sucking bastards on the Labrador after one trip out, the ticks have since gone on holiday. We saw one on him in June and none since. Not a one, and none of the bipeds in residence were “bit” either – a first in many years.
I’m ready for my close-up
We’ve got wild blueberries. Lots of them. They were all over the yard when we bought the property almost 25 years ago, and despite a brief setback when we had a few dozen trees removed, we have encouraged their encroachment all around the mowed areas.
Most years are average, and last year was a bust, but this year we’ve got a gazillion. They are everywhere and above average-sized in some cases. Wild blueberries tend to be a lot smaller than the mass-produced variety you get in the store (which I also love, by the way). We’ve been picking close to one pint a day – we could do more. The freezer is filling up quickly, and we still have several weeks of picking left if we want to.
I blame global warming.
Not much help with picking berries
We’ve got raspberries as well. Also, everywhere, though they’re not quite there yet.I let them go “wild” as well, but you have to keep them confined or they’ll take over your yard. A large section of one part of my yard is covered with low-level plants that produce tiny berries, but we mow that so they stay low and keep growing. If we let it go there’d be a crazy amount of raspberries (and some wild strawberries) there.
As for the plants we do let grow, there’s evidence of the promise of abundant fruit, but so far, slim pickings. I’m a fan of both blueberries and raspberries, so July is a popular month for me. I eat them in the yard while I’m out with the dog, feeding the mosquitoes—morning ritual.
Fact: I just went out to take a few pictures and ended up picking another pint of them with my lovely wife. So, you see, picking berries is something Americans will do. Just ask the pick-your-own farmers if you don’t believe me. They’ll do it for free if you give them a good price on the fruit.
As for my yard, it’s hard to beat free unless you get someone else to pick them for you for free.
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