Author Archives: John S. Quarterman

Wild Azalea, Cinnamon Fern, Tulip Trees 2026-04-02

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A stroll after breakfast into the Desolation of Helene.

[Wild Azaleas]
Wild Azaleas

I didn’t video many of the blown-down pines, oaks, maples, etc. Some of them I will saw later to re-open some of the paths. Hurricanes: I do not like them.

Meanwhile, there are native wild azaleas, sphagmum moss, crawfish, cinnamon fern, and a few still-standing tulip trees.

Plus muddy dogs, two of them visible; the other two showed up shortly. Continue reading →

Sugar cane in bed and rows to plant it 2026-03-22

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Update 2026-03-26: Sugarcane planted 2026-03-24.

With a little shovel and hoe work, we got the insulating dirt off the sugarcane bed.

[Anna's father, Bob Gronko, Anna Stange, Gretchen Quarterman, sugar cane]
Anna’s father, Bob Gronko, Anna Stange, Gretchen Quarterman, sugar cane

Inside, the cane is in good shape, much of it already sprouting.

So I used the tractor to make rows to plant it. Continue reading →

Burning five acres 2026-01-06

Thanks to Max Barzallo and Mary Clement for helping burn five acres around the house. And of course thanks to Honeybun, Blondie, River, and Sky for helping.

Now if another fire gets loose, it won’t burn to the house.

[Burning five acres, Pine fire forest 2026-01-06, With neighbor help, and dogs]
Burning five acres, Pine fire forest 2026-01-06, With neighbor help, and dogs

Here’s some video:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1644259806439943/

https://youtu.be/l3fZ-Adr_3I

For those who are not familiar with prescribed burns, we live in a longleaf fire forest. Southern pine trees are fire resistant, so burns don’t affect them much, but the fire does cut back on vines and other undergrowth, as well as competing oaks, sweetgum, and other trees.

Wildlife benefits. Continue reading →