The Start of Pumpkin Planting

We've had an exceptionally dry May.  Of course I got a quick shower as I was out working in the field.  I'm using my little cultivator to turn the rows for planting.

 I planted on the diagonal this year to see if it can help with watering.  The rows sort of go across the slope and down.

 I ran the hose for a while on each row.  Don't know if it will help but can't hurt.  I'm hoping for rain.

 This is what I planted this weekend.  I started with the longest (and also the biggest) pumpkins - they take 120 days.  Each of those lines is a row in the field.  So I'm better than 1/2 done.  Everything that I have left to plant is 95 days or less.

When I came in after planting, three gobblers were in the sunflower field.  I'm sure that they were gobbling up my seed.  They all had long beards.  This was taken from the dining area.

 The remaining cherry tree does not look real healthy but it still managed to produce fruit.

 I got out a 6' ladder and picked what I could reach.  There were more up there farther.

 We usually expect them about our anniversary (June 4) but they were a little early this year.  I may have got enough for one pie.  Questionable.

 The other fruit trees are all bearing fruit.  This is one of the young apple trees.

An older tree.

 Another one.

And the pears too.

Van started on the prep for the native grass plot that I plan to plant in the fall.  We're plowing up the fescue.

 This is the soybean plot that has been in for a month.  Not much happening due to lack of rain.

 There are some beans (and weeds) up.  This plot is roundup ready so I can spray it at some point.

 The main field has a summer annual mix and it is in about the same shape.

 There are some sunflowers up.  It has sunflowers, beans, milo, lab lab, peas etc.

 Same situation in the sunflower plot.  There is a fair amount of germination but we desperately need rain.

 The chicory/clover plots planted last fall are looking good.  The older clover plots have some weed issues but are doing ok.

 Since turkey season is over, there are bearded gobblers everywhere.

 And the usual assortment of varmints.

Skinny looking fox.

Coyotes.

 Very pregnant does.

 The bucks seem to have a lot of antler for May.

 Big spread for May 30.

 It looks like the mutant is back.

 Keeping their minerals recharged.

 Some touring last weekend.

And tomorrow is June.  It should be the wet season but it has been dry for a month already.  Hopefully we will get a break soon.