The return of spring-like temperatures has focused our attention on spring tasks. I looked out my kitchen window one morning and saw Pyro Man, aka Bill, packing heat and heading for the iris and day lily beds. No, he wasn't going to blast them full of holes. By packing heat, I mean he was carrying a propane bottle from the gas grill with the flame thrower attachment. The morning was perfect for the task: temperature in the low 50’s, calm wind from the west to blow the smoke away from the house and some early morning humidity to keep the sparks and fire contained.
No, he didn't barbecue his foot!
Bill torches the iris beds in early spring to control iris leaf spot, a fungal disease that over-winters on the dead leaves. Burning kills the spores. In addition, burning kills iris borer, a destructive insect that over-winters in its larvae, or “worm” stage, in the rhizome above ground. Day lilies are also susceptible to a leaf spot fungus. Goodbye disease and pestilence; hello gorgeous iris and day lilies!
Torching the iris and day lilies is a tune-up for the big event: pasture burning! More on that later.
The next activity on that day’s agenda was setting up the “little plastic house”: a miniature temporary greenhouse, made out of 4 pieces of heavy wire shoved into the ground to form arches and covered with thick plastic mended with duct tape. The four sides of the plastic are anchored in the ground by wrapping 2x2 boards in the ends and covering with dirt. A slit is cut in the plastic to allow watering and prevent condensation. Bill planted lettuce, spinach and Swiss chard. We should be enjoying tasty salads and chard by early to mid-April.
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