As we were walking by Joel and Patty's the other day, the Butterfly bushes were definitely doing their job.  I caught two Tiger Swallowtails on a single bush.

 

Butterfly Bush, Buddleia davidii, is a fast-growing, spreading shrub that attracts butterflies with its  fragrance.  They come in several different colors, from yellow through pink to deep purple.  Most garden centers carry the varieties that do well in their areas.

 

Patty said they are so easy:  all you have to do is plant them, and they do the rest.  Hers are really pretty right now, especially with butterflies dancing all over them. It's a pretty tough walk up to the top of the hill, but it's worth it to go see them.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

My beautiful leeks are getting ready to bloom. 

 

I planted seeds a few summers ago, and we've eaten quite a few leeks.  But this is why I grow them:  when they bloom, they are totally spectacular!!!

 

They are interesting at this stage too.  Each of those flower buds stands about 6 feet tall, and is packed with tiny flowers.  I'll take another picture when they open up.  You will see why I love them.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

We saw some Indian Pipes blooming in our woods, so of course when we were at the Park we looked for them there.  And we saw several large patches.  

 

Monotropa uniflora is its botanical name, and it starts blooming in June, sometimes blooming into September.  

 

They are white throughout because they have NO chlorophyll, in their leaves, stems, or flowers.  Since they can't manufacture food from sunlight, they get all their nourishment from decayed vegetation in the soil.  Indian Pipes are not mushrooms, although their waxy appearance makes them look a little mushroomy.   And the environment in which they grow also seems a little mushroomy to me.  Nope, they are in the Wintergreen family of flowering plants.  Interesting!!!

 

They are also called "ghost flower" and "corpse plant."  

 

They are easy to spot even though they aren't very tall.  They are very white and ghostly.  Be on the lookout.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Look!!!  The peas have started to bloom, AND attach themselves to the trellis.  I planted them a little late;  they could have been planted in the garden the first of March, and we'd have peas by now.  But I planted them the first of April.  Hope they can stand the warm weather coming.  

 

I just read that the time to fertilize peas and beans and peppers is when they start to bloom.  That way they get fed when they need it the most.  

 

Well, the beans and peppers aren't blooming yet, but I did put some 10-10-10 on the peas.  And waiting to see the little pea pods.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Maybe this is what the lady turkey was after the other day:  Out Of Control Catnip.

 

This is my garden trash pile, being taken over by catnip.  She may have smelled it.  Gizmo loves it;  not sure about turkeys.  Anyway, there is plenty to share.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

The lilies have started to bloom.  Aren't they fabulous?  It's worth the walk over to see them.  

 

I think Jim uses that Deer Away spray to keep the deer from eating the lilies.  I love reading the label on that stuff:  the first ingredient is putrescent egg solids.  YAK!!!  Anyway, it seems to work for them.  They have lots of lilies.  

 

If you want to add lilies to your garden, the bulbs are best planted in the fall.  If you're in the market for spring and summer flowering bulbs, go to https://brentandbeckysbulbs.com/  and view the fall catalog.  Daffodils, tulips, lilies, and everything in between to help you get ready to plant in the fall.

 

Hahaha!  Look at me, already thinking about the 2022 garden.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Another visitor to our garden.  

 

We love seeing the wild turkeys strutting around in the yard.  Even Gizmo was interested in this little lady walking through the orchard.  She didn't pay him any attention, though, she just kept pacing back and forth between the trees.  

 

I love living in the country.  There's always something interesting to see.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

The Borage is blooming.  Isn't it beautiful?  Isn't it hairy?  Yes on both counts!!

 

We plant Borage in the garden near the tomatoes to deter Tomato Hornworms.  It is really effective.  I'll show you a picture of one if we get any this year.  

 

This Borage planted itself.  And since it is right by the tomatoes I just left it there.  I have also moved a few around to be close to other tomatoes.  

 

We also eat the flowers.  They taste a little like cucumber, and are so pretty on top of a salad.  The leaves are edible too, but that prickly, hairy texture just doesn't appeal to me.  You can try them if you like, and let me know how you like it.    ;-)

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I always love seeing the Milkweed in bloom.  This one is on our loop walk at Meeks Park.  There are several species of Milkweed;  Seek says this one is Asclepias variegata, commonly called Redring or white Milkweed.

 

When the Milkweed blooms, I start looking for Monarch butterflies.  Monarchs use Milkweed as the host plant for their caterpillars.  They lay eggs on the underside of the milkweed leaves, and when the caterpillars emerge they have their favorite food right there for them.  When I see a milkweed, I look for chewage on the leaves, then look underneath the leaves for the caterpillars.  

 

When I was teaching Preschool, I would collect the caterpillars and put them in our 50 gallon aquarium (in the classroom.) Then we all watched as they ate milkweed leaves, and grew until they made their cocoons.  Then we waited and watched some more til they emerged.  Fascinating for kids and adults alike.  Then when they were ready, we took them outside and let them fly away.  It was fun to feel part of the process.  

 

I've seen milkweed like this in my yard here in Five Forks, so look around in your travels, you may find some.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Yep.  It is THAT time of year, again:  Poison Ivy season.  

 

I know I must sound like a broken record, but I really want you to be able to identify poison ivy from a distance, and up close.  Especially up close.  That's when it can be problematic.  Most people are allergic to the Ursheol that covers the plant:  the leaves, the stems, the roots!!!  

 

Here's how to ID poison ivy:  it has three leaflets, and grows on a vine.  The leaves can be small or really big.  When it gets old, it blooms.  We've seen some blooming down by the creek.  It's usually shiny (that's the oil on the leaves) but not always.  Just brushing against the leaves can subject you to the misery of dermatitis.  Trust me, I used to get it a lot.  But now I can spot it at 100 yards, and steer clear of it.

 

Our Girl Scout jingle really helps to identify poison ivy:  You can shake hands with 5 fingers but not with three.  The five fingers mentioned here refers to Virginia Creeper, which is also a green vine, but harmless.  Lots of plants have three leaflets;  LOOK first, then touch if you must.  

 

Now that everybody is spending more time outside, I want to remind you to look out for poison ivy.  It's everywhere!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!