Miss Effie's Country Flowers and Garden Stuff

Well -- it is spring at Miss Effie's and the porch is filled with flats of flowers, waiting to find a home in the garden.

 The gardens are currently filled with very fast growing grass and weeds.  Seriously now, how does the grass grow faster than we can get it pulled.  It is moments like these, that I think "Spray!!"  And I will come to my senses and will be back on my knees pulling the weeds!

The new chicks and ducklings come in less than 2 weeks and I can't wait.  I have no idea where I will put them! Cruella Deville and her silkie friends have taken up residence in the "new chick" area. 

Cruella is a black silkie.  Very cute but were hired to help eliminate Japanese beetles from my raspberries. I'm a bit concerned.  The silkies seem to be far more interested in layer mix than dandelion roots, lettuce greens, grape tomatoes. The older and larger girls look at them with distrust.  How can they ignore a grape tomato??

Makes me wonder about their interest in Japanese beetles.

 Oh well, its time to get back to the garden.  Hope to see you all soon.  We plan on opening approximately May 15th.  Watch here and on our website www.misseffiesflowers.com for more information.

Spring really seems to be coming to eastern Iowa.  We have cleaning the gardens at breakneck speed.  Of course, this year I delayed delivery of many of our plugs because we have had such late springs!  That will teach me!!

Lots of new things on the farm.  We recently hung 3 barn quilts on the wall of our barn, chicken coop and on a fence.  Another one will grace the potting shed prior to opening day!

The lilacs are pushing buds which is exciting and terrifying ..... all at the same time!  So we hope we don't have any more deep freezes.  And that is all too much a possibility.  The warm weather is a blessing ..........and a curse.

Our organic Japanese beetle control has arrived .......3 silky bantam chickens.  There will be more to come but these are 4 monthes old and adorable!!!  Hopefully, they will enjoy cruising the orchard, looking for those horrible beetles!

 And in other news ..... its a little story ... Miss Effie's will be listed in the May issue of Midwest Living Magazine as a U-pick cutting garden in the midwest.

So be sure to check that out at the news stand starting in May.

Miss Effie