Fight to the Death

You know times are hard when these hornets start fighting for the tomato hornworms carcasses. Gross.

More Nests...

Every time I think the hubby and I are empty nesters, I find another nest.

Weeks ago, my baby bluebirds flew away. But I get tp see them from time to time at the feeder. Too bad their nest was beyond the reach of documenting in photos.

Walking by one of my many overgrown shrubs this afternoon, I spotted a mockingbird darting into it. Upon closer inspection I found a nest tucked neatly away in the middle with a lone baby mocking bird in its midst. So for a little while, I have a baby again.

Tomato Hornworms

Over the last few weeks, a few of my tomato bushes have been affected  by blight. I dug those up to prevent it from spreading. Without thinking, I also pulled up the French Marigold plants circling the affected tomato bushes. Because I didn't know it at the time of planting, I sowed a variety of Marigold plants. But French Marigolds are the most effecting at warding off tomato hornworms. Well, wouldn't you know it, the blight-infested bushes were surrounded by French Marigolds while the healthy ones are surrounded by Dwarf Marigolds and some other variety I forget now.

When the French Marigolds moved out, the tomato hornworms moved it. Three of them stripped a large plant overnight. I'm hoping that's all there were. But you can never spot those buggers until it's too late. Going to spend tomorrow evening spraying Neem Oil. Fun!

Master Gardener in the Making

I've waited two years, but this time it's going forward... Am so looking forward to the 2011 Master Gardener's Course in New Brockton.

Homemade Weed Killers

For the cheap and handy like me:

http://realestate.msn.com/10-homemade-weed-killers?GT1=35009

Walking Stick Insect

Now I know what's been nibbling on my Altheas and Dahlias. It's so beautiful and unusual, I didn't have the heart to squash it.  However, I'll probably regret that in a few weeks when my plants don't flower.

Digging Daylilies

I sometimes amaze myself at the things I get up to for the love of my garden. I've often been inspired by several Master Gardeners who enjoy telling me stories about their flower-digging escapades. Some constantly travel with a shovel and pots in their trunk in case they need to pull over on the side of the Interstate for an interesting species. I'm told you'd be surprised at how well some of them can spot a 6-inch plant on the side of the road while driving 50 mph.

For many weeks, I've enjoyed observing native daylilies on an abandoned property in the woods while driving to and from church. It took nearly as long, but I finally built up the gusto to pull some up. With the kids in the back seat and a girlfriend at my side, we were rearing to go.

Strange looks from passerbys, irrational fear of snakes and getting arrested for trespassing or stealing or both aside, I really enjoyed the experience. Maybe I'll start traveling with a portable potting station myself.