August 2025 Island Trip – Day 4

We caught a mouse in a sticky trap today. This is disappointing and encouraging all at once. If it was still inside Stella, it was being very quiet. If it came in from the outside, we’re still vulnerable. What I do know is there’s one less mouse in the world. I also know that these are white deer mice.

The county came out today and sprayed all the tansy, bull and Canadian thistle. Well, I’m sure not every single plant was zapped, but she was thorough and we hiked the property together while she did her work. I was the scout. She thinks that if we do the same for the next two years we’ll have good eradication.

Then I mowed, but not where the county worker sprayed as the plants need to be ‘upright’ for a good 2-weeks after they’re treated in order for maximal herbicide uptake. Being late August, there’s not a lot of meadow grass growth. I’ll be able to finish up with one more session.

I almost finish getting the deadwood out of the yellow apple. There’s a branch or two that are beyond the hand saw I have here. I also removed the hog wire cage that was placed around it when first planted to protect it from deer. The tree is over 15’ tall now. Not that it’s a ‘cultivated’ or ornamental orchard, but the tree looks so much better! I also picked a grocery bag of these apples, and most of a bag of the Akanes. There are 100’s to go, plus the plums, and only so much time! The tenants have three sources who will enjoy apples (I’ll harvest all the plums!), including the food bank, so if I don’t get back here before the end of the fruit’s harvest window, it won’t go to waste.

The temps cooled down today. You know it’s been hot when you enjoy feeling cold.