The Turnip Patch

This past summer I had a suggestion made to me from my hunting mentor who brings wild game for my table, about what I could do with a patch hand seeded a year ago with deer plot products. There were some perennials rooted, but not enough to thwart the weed population that had a good foothold. I am not a proponent of chemical burn down, nor do I wish to plant GMO seeds.

A great organic cultivation method that was implemented to eliminate the biggest share of weeds was super heated, dry soil turned over with a disc once,left to sit a week ,or so before it was disced, and planted with turnips the middle of August.

Two weeks after planting

The plot had previously been used by a cropland renter a few years for a small addition to the adjacent farm field. However, more times than not the crop was pre-harvested by our wandering wildlife. Certainly, no pay back on investment of seed, time, machine fuel, etc...

I didn't find the giant foxtail that proliferated in the patch this past season to be a total detriment to the location.

Observations provided information of deer bedding, trails passing in all directions, and they fed on the sparsely sprouted clovers, knocking down the surrounding foxtail. Having walked the patch many times,and hunting out of the giant  foxtail, I found glacier planted rocks of various sizes scattered over the surface, a few of those were also translocated to facilitate a smoother surface for us two foots to traverse.

Farming over some big buried rocks brought them closer to the surface during tilling.

 I finally  had enough with one that was very evident; so I took some measures to move it totally out of the way.

As I moved the soil around the  perimeter of the rock, the shape reminded me of a tooth.

My mind started playing with the paralells between my activities, with a child's experience of losing their baby teeth. Admittedly the technique I needed was a bit more heavy duty to get the geo-dentistry accomplished. It took a few tugs to get it lifted up and out of the hole.

After I let my mentor know of my accomplishment...he mentioned there was another rock further on that made the disc jump out of place when he was busy tilling. I will look into it next spring when it's time to think about preparations for planting once again.I haven't seen that one yet.

Sadie Says,"Good Crop"!

We haven't had an abundance of moisture, but the turnips have turned out really nice. The variety that was planted is human friendly. I have raided the patch a couple of times for myself, and then a couple of times I found some for people I know who didn't have some to harvest of their own.

Now, the deer and turkeys can join in  harvesting the greens and bulbs to supplement their diets.

Cold temperatures keep popping up. Soon the grass may go dormant, the deer will lose one of their last nitrogen sources that I see them dining on as they eat outside my window. I wish they would pay more attention to it during the summer when I need to mow it to keep it in order. I should be thankful they have a head start on next season.

On our last visit to the "Turnip Patch", I saw evidence of some nibbling going on, an encouraging sign since this would be my first time to have such an opportunity as this to see just how they will react.

Eventually, I want to plant perennial deer plot mixtures in this area.

I have become acquainted with the Whitetail Institute forage products  in my sample plots - the imperial clover and mixtures with clover and alfalfa have been a great draw. This year was the first year that I saw the deer actually pay attention to some chickory...could be it was a source of moisture for which we were greatly lacking.

I am excited to see activity even if it isn't first hand at the moment.

My trail camera has been keeping an eye on another location where another addition to the Timber Life list of animals has made itself visible.Check back for more to be shared on that subject in the future...

Sadie Says - Oh YUM!

Hey there gentlemen, ladies and kind fellow four legged people lovers. 

Stopping by the blog world to let you know that I'm still around keeping Mom in line.

The berry season is coming to a close for the second time in my short life, but not without getting my share of the "Goods".

Mom seems to think she is going to try to get a couple more pounds  of raspberries and maybe, some of the gooseberries.

My Mom doesn't have to worry about me eating to much. After I get enough, I just quit and go find a place to lay down...Whether it be where Mom is picking berries, or under a close shade tree.

My nose knows which berry is the  best of the

best. 

Seems I have reawakened my wild side...(wink, wink)  

Time to totter off and dream about MORE berries.... ;)

Sadie Says - Mole Patrol

Hello Ladies and Gents! Sure has been a while since I stopped by the computer to send off a note...This weather has been so inviting - I need to go outside and play.. My Mom caught me in action this afternoon. Walk anywhere around our yard and you will see these raised pieces of grass, tunnels , tunnels and more tunnels. Being a dog, I just can't leave the loose dirt alone. It is IMPOSSIBLE for me to walk on by when I hear something going on under the ground. Stopping to listen, I strike my pointing pose, then Mom knows for sure what is going to happen next. The same thing happens everytime - sticking one front paw into the dirt pulling out a scoop of dirt, then the opposite front paw goes into that glorious cool, soft, dirt. Soon my mouth gets involved with pulling the grass out , my nose goes into the hole and I keep on opening up the ground.I usually have a blast moving dirt like a shovel. Pretty soon my mouth is so full of what has now become mud that I can't close my teeth. Heading inside I have to get a drink so my tongue won't stay glued down. Today turned out differently...The Mole is M-i-n-e!!! ;)

Sadie Says - A Year Old and Counting

My goodness of all the days that have past since I started exploring the big old wide world. Yes, on March 18th, mom and dad gave me a little party to celebrate my 1st Birthday. Just to think it won't be until May 15th, that we will pass another milestone, a year since I made the trip from Madison,SD., to Central Iowa. Mom met Dorothy Sanborn from South Dakota's Countryside Kennels at the Sioux Falls, SD., Pilot to bring me home. Mom and I have had some growing pains, but we are getting to know each other real well. There is a very strong mutual admiration society happening here. A real plus is that I was house broken by the time I was 5 1/2 months old. Mom has heard it is hard to get a Springer Spaniel potty trained...not at my house it wasn't. I am a smart girl. My favorite new tricks are to twirl and roll-over,for a treat of course. Mom has started trusting me to run off my leash when we go into the timber. How very happy that has made me! We get to go together now. There are a couple of small creeks with water running, you should see the M-U-D up to my shoulders. Can't possibly avoid it don't you know?!? All I would like to say in closing is that this is turning out to be heaven in my book. Just a chance to live the Timber Life... ;)

Sadie Says - I've Been a Good Girl

I've been a really "Good Girl" this year! My First Christmas has come and gone. Nephew Nick and niece Alexa got me a a doggy Christmas stocking filled with lovely fetch toys.Now it's time to get down to some chewing and ripping . Hope you all are having a great holiday season too! ;)

Sadie Says - Ith a Curth!

OH dear friendths! There is thomething I juth found laying behind Mom's couth. My mouth ith only half working 'cauth part of it ith stuck to this black thingy with sticky stuff ALL over it. Ith a CURTH! ITH a CURTH!!! That was the first time around. Mom pulled it out with just a few lip hairs. Then a little while later in my explorations I found another black thingy on the other end of the couth. Ith a CURTH! ITH a CURTH!!! Mom thought it was pushed far enough away from the edge and various other obstacles in place that I wouldn't be able to get to it. HA HA HA! Guess she still doesn't know the power of SUPER SADIE the wonder Springer... Let me explain, very early this morning Mom was up and around. She heard and saw a couple of little squeakers. Soooo C-u-t-e those little timber mice. She was just havin' a cool , calm, and collected matter of fact discourse on "Well, it's that time of year again..." Maybe, now you have an idea what I'm being tempted by. The second time I wasn't as fortunate as the first. That black thingy with the sticky stuff ALL over it got stuck on my upper lip again.Tried to get it off with my foot. Then I grabbed it with my mouth to get it off my foot. Help ME! It is firmly fixed to my right front foot. Ith a CURTH! ITH a CURTH!!! Now Dad is out of bed - I gave him something to laugh about while he was getting ready for work. Mom got the scissors out to take off the biggest share of the black thingy and sticky stuff. Then she got out the creamy peanut butter she got for the grandkids....started massaging my stuck foot. Little by little it loosened up until it dropped away. The Curse has been lifted. At least for today, because I know where there are three more to play with. ;)

Sadie Says - Let Me at 'Em

Let me at 'em. Just let me at 'em!!! Paws moving briskly across the keypad. I was able to get it commandeered A-G-A-I-N.(with a maniacal giggle) Mom is really falling behind here lately. I need to start getting things back on track. Don't want her blogging buddies to think she has forgotten them. Looks like I need to help her get the words out. For some reason she got these two long sticks out with a long rope that she plays with alot these days. As if she doesn't have anything ELSE to do...She acts like nothing matters, but playing with the two sticks and long rope.

Says she is making a scarf for somebody across the Mississippi, way off in Illinois. Gettin' cold over there she says. Got to RUFF about that cause it is gettin' cold here too. Where's my scarf? Talk about being ignored!!! An 8 month old puppy can only take that for so long...HRUMPH! Finally looks like Mom made it to 100 blog posts the other day,with my help. Yeah, uh huh with my Yelp.(as I slide across the kitchen floor in jubilation) Goodness, who would have ever thought she would get that far in a year?!? Sometimes it is just like pulling teeth to get her to stop and think. Ahhhhh, now that I have gotten somethings off my back , I can rest a little easier, knowing everybody has heard my rambling barks another day.....;)

Sadie Says - Ruff, Ruff, Ruff, Rough!

Things have been a bit rough around Timber Life. Mom keeps letting me outside to use my sniff and chase reflexes when the squirrels are mining underneath her car. Chewing whatever they chew...Those little red tree rats really give me a great workout. Anything with legs that move - I'm ON IT! Anyway, some times those creatures take off into the timber where Mom doesn't mow, or spray chemicals. Over the years animals have brought some really sticky seeds into my close to home running range.

You should see how the long hair on my beautiful ears gets twisted - no need for styling mousse these days.

OH NO! Here she comes again! Two brushes in hand. I get to chew the green brush handle when she is going at me with that blasted wire thingy. Mom and I are both going to be extremely happy when the snow finally comes to cover those prickly stickers over for this season! Pssst! Ya know what's funny? I get to snicker, cause Mom has to peel those pokies off herself tooo...;)

Sadie Says - GONE NUTS!!!!

Crunch, Crunch, Crunch.... YUMMY, or at least I think yummy??? The last couple of weeks I have been getting a taste of some commodities that are hitting the ground. I will use the phrase used by Chicken Little in the children's story,"The Sky is Falling!" Every time I walk outside these days I hear something thudding onto the ground or plunking down onto the pick-up sitting in the drive. Mom keeps telling me what's happening ,but I'm just a puppy ...reminders are always welcome. We have a friendly competition to see who can find those hidden morsels on the ground every time we are outside. I thought since Mom was so interested in them I would give them a try. Great CRUNCH factor! I will put a name to the tree and it's nuts. It is Hickory a member of the Walnut family. You've seen our Oak trees which have had a real good crop of acorns this season. The animals dependent on them for a food source should have a good supply, at least until the snow covers them over. Then there are Black Walnut trees galore. Some of the walnuts have already dropped from the trees leaving the rind to mature and begin the cycle of the squirrels constant drive to tuck them beneath the dirt until they are all hidden.(EVERYWHERE!) ;)

Sadie Says - Fence Wrangling

Working a fence line here... Mom needed some help to start moving old barbed wire and wooden fence posts. The best I could do was checkout the progress. Tried pulling on the wire , but Mom chased me away. Told me I could supervise on this job. We are manicuring the space between yard, and pasture in preparations for some plans to take place in the Spring. Mom will be taking out some shrubs , her little garden, and 2 trees that seemed to take forever for her to get growing. The deer have a way of pruning small plants that can lead to years of small plants. Better be on my way or Mom will wonder what I'm up to. She keeps a pretty close eye on what I'm doing. What a gal! ;)

Sadie Says

My post today is going to cover a product review. Recently, I have been wanting to be the leader of my little pack when we are out on my leash. I kept getting short of breath and my Mom was always sitting me down every few feet. She was continually trying to get my attention. Telling me how much better it would be for all of us if I would just "Slow Down!" I don't know how many of my fellow canines would be interested, but my Mom has found a different type of apparatus that she attaches my leash to under my chin. The "Gentle Leader Headcollar" is what it is called, made by the Premier company. It fits snugly around my head and a piece of the lead goes over my mouth. It sure has made a difference in how I hear Mom now. Looking forward to rambling further than our immediate surroundings. ;)

Sadie Says

Do You think all the dogs in the world are the same? ; )

Sadie Says

Another weekly installment of "Sadie Says" coming right up! Been a couple of weeks away from the keyboard . Where to start? Mom has been working outside more lately. She is starting to take me with her when she is in the yard close to the house. Have to get used to following her around. The decision to pick some raspberries at the edge of the yard left me to sit, OR to expend some of my energy. Did a little bit of both. For a few minutes I picked raspberries off the canes closest to the ground, while Mom got the berries at the top. Then it came to me to make a game out of the whole thing. I became an explorer. Dense weeds and brush - no matter! Didn't get to far away before I lost sight of Mom. (not to hard I'm still kind'a short) Really don't go very far yet , need my Mom to keep me happy. One of the bad things about heading into the weeds. I have to sit still and let the hairbrush take out all the round little seeds I got stuck in my ears when I get back into the house. EEEEK! Hate that thing!!! After a full day of keeping Mom occupied, time to stop, and enjoy the sunset...Hope you all have a few minutes to stop and enjoy what nature has to offer. Be seein' you around. ;)