Mildew

Our brand new sod, just laid last fall, is apparently susceptible to mildew if it is shady, cool, and damp. Damp hasn't been an issue here, really, for the last 10 years. But one little corner of the yard is by a fence, under a tree, and next to the neighbour's lawn - which has an in ground irrigation system. So that little area developed this sad white powdery mildew, and from there it was spreading to adjacent less shady areas, because it HAS been cool and damp lately (to put it mildly). We fretted rather excessively over this, struggling to keep in perspective that it is JUST GRASS after all (and just a little fungus - spreading like crazy!).

Anyway, this past Saturday evening, I looked out the window and couldn't resist telling the family "Oh no! We have completely failed - that white stuff has spread over the entire lawn now!"

This picture is actually from May 5, but it looked just the same May 29. (Did I mention it has been a little cool and damp lately?)

Gate # 1

One of the remaining tasks is to build gates on either side of the house to enclose the back yard (keep dogs and excessive numbers of hares out, chickens in (potentially), etc. We recently worked on the one on the north side of the house, and got it all done except the latch (for now I call it a Holman Hunt gate).

Rejuvenation

This apple tree survived 2 years of heavy construction all around it, and being pruned within an inch of its life last year! (We got exactly 5 apples last year!). It looks much more promising for pies this fall!