{Blue}Grass Garden

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

2008-06-18T14:59:00.005-04:00

These are the last days of the {Blue}Grass Garden. And by that, I mean it's finally time to cut the grass! This is not because neither I nor Emmet are growing weary of gardening; it's just the natural and healthy progression of growing and pruning. For those who need a word of encouragement, please see Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

You may have noticed in the surrounding countrysides that most fields are being cut and bailed for hay. The time has come for the Garden to follow suit. In the next week I will cut the grass and see if there might be opportunity to make hay.

Emmet continues to work the ground. Just today, he was fertilizing the plot.

The golden tipped grass has run its course. Now it's time for the next phase.

After my last post on the rain soaked grass, most of the Garden returned to a vertical state. However, over the past week wind and natural decay has laid the grass down once again.

The last time we cut the Garden was in late April of 2007. Last year's record height was just over 3". You can see that we have outdone ourselves this year with one sprout exceeding 5". Now that's some grass!

Monday, June 2, 2008

2008-06-02T12:14:00.003-04:00

The aesthetic of having grass that is nearly 2/3 as tall as you are can be remarkable. It's a type of experience lost to the "city" dweller. One such beautiful moment occurred a little while back: it was a rainy morning, but the precipitation was in the form of a heavy mist, falling lightly around. The Garden produced a wonderful response, in that the grass laid down, covered heavy with droplets of water. (I was a little concerned that the grass might not return to its vertical stature, but upon drying the Garden stood back up!) Emmet, as usual, inspected the condition of the grass by circling the plot numerous times. The rains continued to fall the rest of that day. The following is a small gallery of selected images.

Something that you must know, but probably were not aware of, is that Emmet is highly opposed to becoming wet. So when it rains, he maintains his duties from a distance.

Currently the Garden has gone to seed and is starting to brown just a bit. (Photos will be coming soon.) However, I am concerned that the grass may need serious maintenance by the end of this summer. Perhaps I may have to cut and bail the grass to produce my own hay.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

2008-05-20T09:45:00.003-04:00

The garden continues to flourish and Emmet is still on patrol. Here you can see the relative size of the grass as it begins to dwarf Emmet.
Here we can begin to see that the grass(es) are beginning to seed. It's quite beautiful as the greens start to produce a subtle purple.
I will post more images very soon. There was a lull in reporting due to the hiring of a "new gardener." She is more than impressed with the {Blue}Grass Garden and looks forward to her participation in the project.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

2008-05-08T09:13:00.005-04:00

I must apologize, it's been a while since my last report. However, the garden continues to flourish. There is an obvious increase in both volume and density of grass due to nourishing rains this Spring season. The area remains uncut since circa May 2007.

Hopefully as summer vacation begins, I will be able to bring more news and updates on the garden's progress as well as Emmet's persistent vigilance. After all, he is the garden's greatest "contributor."

And thank you to all the fans of the {Blue}Grass Garden. Without your dedication there would be no hope for an Urban Grassland.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

2007-06-02T13:23:00.000-04:00

Yet another week with no rain and the {Blue}Grass Garden is suffering. Hopefully a storm coming up from Florida will head our way.

As you can see the grass is getting pretty crispy.

Even Emmet is having a hard time with the hot dry weather. He enjoys his patrols much more now that he has received his summer hair cut.

Always the watchful eye, even while taking a break.

An exciting bit of news: one stalk of grass has climbed over 3 feet in height. Impressive.

Kristin's traditional garden is coming along as well. Watering definitely helps, although I am resisting the temptation to water the Garden.

My grandfather used to say, "It always rains at the end of a drought." Right now I'm looking forward to that day.

Friday, May 25, 2007

2007-05-25T08:58:00.001-04:00

Over the past week the garden has not received any precipitation. As a result of decreased activity, and increased personal activity with summer vacation, my aim is to bring updates on the garden in weekly installments.

Although we are in a "mild" drought, the garden continues to grow slowly. I had intended to water the grass, but my plastic sprinkler was melted by a slow drip from the weed-eater's gas tank. Our local weather has apparently been dominated by a "center of high pressure" that has prevented any rainfall. There might be a slight chance for storms over the weekend. Emmet recommended that we buy a new sprinkler.

And even though reporting has slowed, Emmet continues to patrol the garden each day. Today he pointed out the development of tiny lampyridae that are living in the garden, best known as fireflies to the laymen. Emmet remarked that he can't wait to observe their nocturnal bioluminescence. Always something new to discover in the {Blue}grass Garden.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

2007-05-21T09:05:00.000-04:00

No rest for the weary. Emmet is always checking on the status of the garden.

It's been a beautiful weekend and I expect to see great things in the garden this weekend.

Saturyday, May 19, 2007

2007-05-19T09:02:00.000-04:00

Due to the Preakness holiday, there is no report.

Emmet On Patrol

2007-05-18T08:23:00.000-04:00

Action footage of Emmet doing what he knows best.

Emmet says,"I live for this."

Friday, May 18, 2007

2007-05-18T07:58:00.001-04:00

Emmet was eager to get out and patrol the garden this morning. He's not a big fan of the rain, so the past two days have been "a bit of a wash," so he says.

Today looks to be beautiful, with a high in the mid 60s and plenty of sun. Emmet said to go ahead and get the lawn mower ready for the rest of the yard.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

2007-05-17T19:54:00.000-04:00

Today was a bit cool with scattered showers off and on throughout the day. Just a bit more rain to water the garden and ideal temperatures for germinating grass seed.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

2007-05-16T20:29:00.000-04:00

We had steady rains last night and part of the way through today. The temperature has dropped and remained in the low 60°s; quite refreshing. It looks like a slight chance for T-storms on Thursday, but mostly sunny for the remainder of the week.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

2007-05-15T20:12:00.000-04:00

The kids from next door came by to see the garden. Obviously, they were very excited about the project. They took turns walking through the grass and experiencing its transcendental quality.

Monday, May 14, 2007

2007-05-14T09:16:00.000-04:00

Another beautiful day in the Bluegrass this morning. The sun is the shining and the temperature is mild; an excellent day for growing grass.

Today's forecast: a low of 62° and a high of 82° with plenty of sun. Next chance of rain is possible on Wednesday.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

2007-05-13T21:14:00.000-04:00

Emmet patrols the garden. Once again, greater definition of the space is defined after mowing.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

2007-05-12T19:50:00.000-04:00

The garden is beginning to achieve a unique aesthetic.

Friday, May 11, 2007

2007-05-11T16:31:00.000-04:00

Brian came by today to help me spread a little Scott's fertilizer on the garden. I hope we didn't add too much.

Alternate Garden, May 10, 2007

2007-05-10T20:00:00.000-04:00

On a side note, Kristin has been doing a little gardening of her own. Here you can see her seeds sprouting. She is growing sunflowers, cucumbers, basil, cilantro, poppies, beefstake and cherry tomatoes.

Almost all of the plants are coming along nicely. Emmet says he will submit his formal report on her garden in the near future.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

2007-05-09T18:54:00.000-04:00

A great discovery today: some of the grass is beginning to develop its "blue" color. However, over the years I've noticed that "Bluegrass" tends to actually have more of a violet or lavender color. In the image above you can see some of the coloration starting to shade the tips of the grass.

Emmet observed that, "The 'bluish' color is only visual in nature and has yet to develop an altered olfactory state."

Grass Facts, Tuesday, May 8, 2007

2007-05-08T10:03:00.000-04:00

Classification of "Kentucky Bluegrass"

Kingdom - Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom - Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Superdivision - Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Division - Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Class - Liliopsida (Monocotyledons)
Subclass - Commelinidae
Order - Cyperales
Family - Poaceae (Grass family)
Genus - Poa L. (bluegrass)
Species - Poa pratensis L. (Kentucky bluegrass)

Monday, May 7, 2007

2007-05-07T17:57:00.000-04:00

Today, sunny and mild with a high of 76°. Excellent weather for growing grass.

Unfortunately, it appears that Emmet is having second thoughts about the garden now that it has been redefined after mowing. He often goes around it completely. Only with specific coaxing am I able to lure him into the flourishing grass.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

2007-05-06T17:55:00.000-04:00

Rains have postponed mowing for the past few days.

After trimming, the garden begins to take shape.

Grass height ranges between 9" to 12".

Saturday, May 5, 2007

2007-05-05T17:52:00.000-04:00

Due to the Kentucky Derby holiday, there is no report.

Friday, May 4, 2007

2007-05-04T14:20:00.000-04:00

After a day of steady rains, the garden continues to flourish. Emmet sniffs the grass to assess its quality.

Here we observe Emmet patroling the boundries of the garden. In a stroke of good fortune, he has become dedicated to the success of the project and is willing to assist by "any means possible."

Thursday, May 3, 2007

2007-05-03T10:03:00.000-04:00

Today's forecast: light showers with a small chance of T-storms throughout the Bluegrass area; a high of 69° and a low of 57°.

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

2007-05-02T15:14:00.000-04:00

Emmet surveys the breadth of the {Blue}Grass Garden.

Current grass height averages 6.75 inches. Unfortunately, the {Blue}Grass Garden was previously cut this Spring; last mowing was April 26, 2007.