This year I saw a big uptick of Monarchs, along with many other types of butterflies in my garden. The most promising thing is the many Monarch caterpillars that I see happily munching on my plants. I don't begrudge them. The garden has lots of Milkweed in it ( grown just for Danaus plexippus), but surprisingly the plants that the larvae most love seem to be Ruta graveolens, or better known … [Read more...] about Monarch Butterflies In The Garden
insects
Winter Arrived Early
Blustery Day, Past Year's Losses Today is briefly warmer and blustery with high winds and rain, but it is more like a January thaw than the beige autumn Indian summer that we might normally expect. I don't know that there is a clear sense of "normal" in our gardens anymore. Still, the patterns of the seasons are not so far off that they would be … [Read more...] about Winter Arrived Early
Diatoms
I happened upon a most amazing picture. Who knew that diatoms were such a lovely lot? Organic gardeners know that diatomaceous earth is useful for insect control, but I was surprised at its uses. There are food grade and pool grade, the latter being poisonous, but the food grade is good for worming, and to get rid fo fleas. I didn't know that! Precautions of not being downwind of it, as it is … [Read more...] about Diatoms
Emerald Ash Borer
I wanted to comment on the emerald ash borer news, but procrastinated. Apologies. Anyway, I read an article in the paper that reported Ohio was going to implement some drastic measures to eliminate the ash borer that has been located in Northeastern Columbus area and in the Northwestern part of the state. Cut down lots of ash trees in the the problem areas. All of the trees in a specific … [Read more...] about Emerald Ash Borer
Little Moments in Time
Nice rainy day today. Yesterday my entymologist-to-be daughter captured a red-bodied dragonfly. It was really beautiful. She didn't have her bug cage handy so we didn't get to view it for very long. She also pointed out some fish in the water of the ditch. Seeing the world through the eyes of a child is always more fun. The variegated acorus was beautiful in it's new place. I really hope it … [Read more...] about Little Moments in Time