It’s strawberry season again, but this year seems to be a washout. Blame it on the rain and the lack of sunny days. The local berries are just coming in but they are so sour I’ve decided to wait a week hoping we’ll get some sunnier weather. The kitchen reno is still ongoing so I can’t bake a shortcake or make jam anyway.
For every one sweet one ripening in my little garden plot, there are two that make your mouth pucker. Maybe that’s why the birds are leaving them alone? And here I thought those plastic snakes I bought at the dollar store were working!
This was a tip from another blogger last summer, as plastic snakes are supposed to act as a deterrent to the birds. Walmart was out of snakes, so these are cheaper versions from Dollarama and the clerk told me they work so well they can’t keep them in stock. They look more like skinny worms to me – and neon pink and blue? Those birds must be color blind, but upon further research it appears birds have better visual acuity than humans and can see UV light and a wider range of colors. I suspect they must be waiting for sweeter fare too.
So I’ll leave you with a link to better days and last year’s blog, Strawberry Fields Forever, plus some Jane Austen.
thehomeplaceweb 
The drought last summer (in South Africa) killed my strawberries and so I have planted another bed of them, hoping for at least a small crop when our season is right for them.
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We are the opposite here in Canada, too much rain!
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Do those plastic snakes slither? Can’t help being silly, here. Yes, it’s probably the sour grapes (oops! strawberry sours) keeping the birds at bay.
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The blogger who recommended them to me, said to move them around every few days to fool the birds, but I haven’t been doing that. She also bought the ones at Walmart online, which looked larger and ore realistic. I agree – they are not interested in sour grapes! My neighbour brought me a basket of strawberries this morning from the farmers market and they weren’t much of an improvement – they are going to take a lot of sugar for a shortcake – but as I will be without a stove for another week I’ll have to borrow my mother’s on Monday.
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So much sugar! Perhaps the extended cold, damp season interfered with the strawberries’ sweetening properties, enzymes, whatever, I don’t know that much botany, so that would be my guess.
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I didn’t know that snakes deterred birds from eating strawberries … maybe I should hang snakes around the coach light and they would not build their nests there?
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That would be worth a try!
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I didn’t know either, and am still not sure – are they leaving them because they are too sour? But thought it worthwhile to share the idea, plus it got me back into blogging again, even though I was recycling an old post. I drafted Pioneer Days blog today while the electrician was here for five hours, again – I think I’m going to hate his bill. It was good to write again. All set for lift-off on Tuesday! At this point I don’t care what it looks like, I just want it done, but will be another whole week before I can get the stove/fridge moved back.
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I know how you feel as our house was torn up for weeks after the paint/papering job and we did not put up Christmas stuff that year as we were still dealing with hanging stuff on the walls til November, at Thanksgiving. I do not envy you.
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Hi Joni – I just e-mailed you the same info from Jim for the mildew removal but sending it here too in case you don’t check e-mail for a while. Jim says it is the best product he has ever used for outside mildew/mold removal. It is available on Amazon and Home Depot and other places. The product is called Spray and Forget It.
https://www.sprayandforget.com/products/
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Thanks Linda. I have not checked my email in weeks so I need to do that. I will look at Home Depo the next time I am there. Looks like there is a wide range of products.
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I put it there in case you happened to check there before the blog. Yes, it looks like there is plenty of products to pick from and wonder if you can use on the lawn furniture next year instead of having to scrub the pieces?
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That would be a great idea! Esp if it prevents, as there is green stuff on some of it already again from all the rain.
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That’s what I am thinking – hope your Home Depot carries it or can order it and no shipping costs to you – maybe your handyman even gets a discount like Jim for materials?
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OMG I told my husband the berries are so sour this year and he told me I was nuts! I love the snake idea and will have to try that next year in my strawberries. Thank you!
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My neighbour brought me a $13 basket from the farmers market and they were sour too! So I think it’s all over from the lack of sun. Will take lots of sugar for a shortcake. I’ll be borrowing my mom’s stove tomorrow as I will be another week without one.
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I just had a new stove delivered today! So happy!
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Good for you! I need a new stove, mine is almost 20 years old, but with all the expenses of the reno I thought I would wait. Reno is looking good, although cupboard doors are not on yet – some problem with the glass not coming in due to the holiday. I can’t wait to have my stove back – it’s been over two weeks.
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The berries are late here too – I haven’t tried any though. I hope with some warmer weather and some sunshine they’ll sweeten up. I did not know about snakes as a deterrent – but it makes sense. Your color choices make the photos pop!
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They are going to take a lot of sugar for a shortcake! Your stormy skies are heading our way for tomorrow, but today is gorgeous!
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LOL – yeah, lots of sugar! Enjoy the sunny weather today. We had that yesterday, it was so hot, I enjoyed staying in the shade and letting the breeze cool me as best as it could. Hope you have a great Sunday!
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FYI: WordPress is not allowing me to like the various posts I’ve visited—not sure why. But I enjoyed this one, and I’m copying down your sticky toffee recipe, which happens to be a treat I haven’t had in years and would enjoy regardless of the calendar. Hope this comment reaches you!
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Thank you Annie. That is strange….but maybe it doesn’t allow comments after a certain time, or maybe WP is just having a bad day! I have heard that complaint before about people not being able to comment, but it has never happened to me. I hope you enjoy the sticky toffee pudding!
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