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Hummingbird Moth in Slow Motion
This afternoon we had a very special visitor in the garden. A Hummingbird Moth was drinking from the purple liatris spicata next to the birdbath fountain. I was able to get up close with my phone, although it was a little shy and kept moving behind the flower. Last summer we had one that seemed to enjoy the red salvia and lantana, and I have had my eyes open to see one this season.
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Cabbage Moth on Lavender
These cabbage moths are pretty with their butter-yellow wings, but finding their offspring mid-bite of broccoli is pretty darn nasty. They have been very busy in my garden, even in the midst of two frosty nights in a row. The frost bit the sweet potato vines. I planted some leafy whole potatoes sometime around Labor Day, and having never grown sweet potatoes before, I’m not sure when to dig them up. I tried planting some in the spring, but the deer ate them all before tubers formed. Any advice on these sweet potatoes? Were they supposed to blossom at some point? Can I just leave them in the ground over…
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Morning Garden Walk: Mystery Greens and Pest Problems
At the end of summer, I started scattering seeds: radishes, parsnips, romaine, arugula, spinach, bok choy, baby butterhead, black seeded simpson, carrots … you get the picture. Every seed packet that allowed fall planted was scattered over several plots. As I waited for seeds to sprout, and as they failed to or the sprouts were shriveled in the heat, I seeded more. I added straw. I watered. Then, the tropical rains came. I had no idea what was planted where, and some seeds were washed to pockets near the brick edges. Enter mystery green #1. This morning I tasted it, and my mouth was surprised by a spicy peppery flavor.…
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When it Rains
Last night it rained and rained and rained. As the boys were working on their highly processed veggie straws for breakfast (I didn’t give it to them… Scooby snuck the back off the counter), I snuck outside with the camera. To my delight, there was no flooding. The new French tile drain is working like a charm, and this was a serious rainfall. Just look how the mulch on the path was washed downstream: A week ago these mystery seedlings popped up out of the ground. I don’t know what they are, but I’ve tossed out cantaloup, sunflower, and possibly squash seeds that I was too lazy to take to…
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Why Gardeners should be on Twitter
While I’ve been gardening for about 7 years, this is the first year I’ve really enjoyed an online gardening community. Back in February I branched off from my old blog to start LoveSown, and set up a Twitter account intended just for discussing gardening. It took me awhile to build up followers and find some of the people I really enjoy interacting with, but now I am enjoying taking part in a lively, witty, helpful and experienced bunch of gardening tweeps. If you garden and haven’t yet joined the online discussion, you ought to consider it. Relationships with Like-minded People I have a group of amazing friends here in Raleigh,…
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Garden Walkin’ & A Little Talkin’
Several days before we left for the beach some of the spinach and chard had begun to sprout; however, upon our return there was no activity. It seems that either the heat or the bunnies got to them. I replanted indoors two days ago, and there is already germination, so I think I’ll be working from transplants soon. I also reseeded outdoors and covered them with straw. Somewhere I read that straw van deter rabbits. The garden paths are totally covered in pulled weeds and plants, and there are a lot of bare batches in the beds, but I did manage to capture a few pretty shots over the past…
