Category Archives: food

Sunshine, Flowers, Bees and Me

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Robert Pogson

Last spring I accepted an offer of sunflower seeds to help the bees. Here is my result: 50% of the seeds grew and this week they actually flowered. They should have done so back in July, but here are the … Continue reading →

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Tree-Hugger Me

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Robert Pogson

I used to make fun of “tree-huggers” but now I am one: I voted Green, I’ve planted hundreds of trees, some of which are still alive, and I’ve bid on an electric car. Today, TLW (The Little Woman) snapped this … Continue reading →

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The Gentrification Of A Cup Of Coffee

Posted on July 11, 2019 by Robert Pogson

Here I am, awakened during a dream in the wee hours. I dreamt my late father came into the kitchen and solemnly informed my mother that a cup of coffee was a multiple of his hourly pay and he would … Continue reading →

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Finally, Summer Has Arrived

Posted on May 21, 2019 by Robert Pogson

It’s been a strange spring season. That’s become the norm with global warming. I planted cold weather seeds and none but the radishes and wheat are up. Leaves were either killed or ripped right off seedlings in pots by strong … Continue reading →

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The Last Last Last Late Frost

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Robert Pogson

Twice we’ve had what I thought was the last late frost of the winter. Well, we’re having another one tonight. Temperature is just above freezing, the sky is clear, the wind is light and there are hours to go before … Continue reading →

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Watching Plants

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Robert Pogson

I love to watch plants. They move so slowly, I can keep up with them. Chuckle. Lately, I’ve been watching some Saskatoon bushes (Amelanchier alnifolia) that I planted from seed two years ago. Their buds are swelling. The terminal buds … Continue reading →

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Spring Springing

Posted on April 13, 2019 by Robert Pogson

Chuckle. This Nanking Cherry (Prunus tomentosa) was sitting in a large pot all winter exposed to the cold, sun and wind and is planning to attack the world despite average temperatures still being around 0° C. Last week the buds … Continue reading →

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To Grow Or Not To Grow…

Posted on April 6, 2019 by Robert Pogson

I had a surprise this week. I glanced over my stratifying seeds in the refrigerator and found my Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum, seeds were germinating. I quickly transplanted them to pots in my kitchen. That was a mistake as they … Continue reading →

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The Buzz

Posted on February 7, 2019 by Robert Pogson

I’m taking a little break from Trump and thinking positive thoughts for the future. There aren’t a lot of bees around my yard most times. I see the occasional one in the caraganas or the dandelions but I fear there … Continue reading →

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Why, Iowa? Why?

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Robert Pogson

“President Donald Trump’s trade war with China sent soybean prices to 10-year lows just as new steel tariffs drove up the cost of equipment and devoured the year’s profits.   “As soon as the tariffs were put on steel, the … Continue reading →

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Voting Day USA and Other Special Days

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Robert Pogson

Like many, I’m impatiently awaiting news of a rejection of Trumpism south of the border. It’s also been a month since I received a shipment of seeds for more trees. One species of which I had concern was White Oak … Continue reading →

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The Last Harvest

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Robert Pogson

Winter is closing in here. Daytime temperatures have fallen to the point where little or no growth can happen. Frost has killed many leaves. So, I harvested my horseradish, asparagus seeds (again), and the grapes. It’s amazing how many grapes … Continue reading →

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